Why Medical Dramas Are More Popular Than Ever: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher!

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Last year, as I myself lay in a hospital bed, it wasn’t until later that I revealed to the dedicated caretakers around me that I was immersed in the creation of a fresh medical series, focusing squarely on their very own profession – St. Denis Medical, co-founded by Eric Ledgin.

Before the debut of the popular NBC sitcom, no one had been introduced to his fictional hospital yet, where competence clashed with heartfelt chaos for dominance. However, his sudden visit offered an opportunity to witness this world in motion –- and he was already noticing similarities.

Apparently, I got a nurse reminiscent of Matt, as I shared with EbMaster,” he said, alluding to the character portrayed by Mekki Leeper in the series, who was both gentle yet green. “He wasn’t very attentive at times, but it wasn’t due to lack of concern.

Drawing upon the inspiring tales and emotional rollercoasters I’ve witnessed as a medical professional, I couldn’t help but be captivated. If my experiences had taken a turn for the worse, they would undoubtedly have found their way onto the silver screen. After all, it seems that the rich tapestry of stories woven within this field has always been irresistible to Hollywood – and now more than ever.

Over the past year, multiple fresh medical dramas have made their appearance on both traditional broadcast networks and streaming platforms, each offering a unique spin on the classic formula. On Max, the team behind “ER” – Noah Wyle, John Wells, and R. Scott Gemmill – came together once more for “The Pitt,” portraying in real-time the challenging shift of veteran and novice emergency room personnel at a Pittsburgh hospital. Meanwhile, Netflix’s “Pulse” delves into the soapier aspects of healthcare, chronicling the struggles of a Miami hospital facing issues such as sexual harassment scandals and natural disasters like hurricanes.

As a dedicated movie buff, I can’t help but notice the dominance of medical dramas this year. The airwaves are filled with them! “Grey’s Anatomy” is gearing up for its 22nd season in the fall, and “Chicago Med” is kicking off NBC’s weekly “One Chicago” trilogy, coming back for its 11th season this autumn. This year also welcomes three newcomers to the scene: “St. Denis Medical,” a mockumentary comedy on NBC that follows the underfunded staff at Ledgin’s Oregon hospital; “Brilliant Minds,” another NBC production featuring Zachary Quinto delving into the brains of neurological patients; and Fox’s “Doc,” an insightful drama about Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker), a doctor regaining her memories and skills after a spell of amnesia.

One could ponder why the cycle of medical dramas in Hollywood continues to persist, given their recurring nature. After all, what makes this particular genre so lasting?

Barbie Kligman, who serves as showrunner for “Doc”, has seen these shows transform from the heart of writers’ rooms throughout the past 20 years. As the child of a general practitioner, she launched her career as an assistant on “ER” and eventually penned episodes for “Everwood,” “Private Practice”, and “Code Black.” When it was time to translate the Italian series that inspired “Doc”, Kligman shares that executive producer Hank Steinberg provided a logical explanation for why people continue to be drawn to settings that are often the last place anyone would willingly visit in real life.

She points out that although it’s rare to end up in court, a police station, or the hospital throughout one’s life, it’s almost certain that you’ll visit a doctor’s office. This sentiment rings true for all of us, and the importance of this is evident.

As a devoted fan of medical dramas, I’ve always admired how they’ve stood the test of time. Yet, captivating audiences who might feel they’ve witnessed every imaginable medical emergency is a formidable task today with the abundance of storytelling platforms available. This intrigue is what lured Gemmill back to the genre as the showrunner for “The Pitt.” At first, he hesitated to rejoin after his extensive tenure on “ER,” but when the revival plans for the NBC series failed, the allure of real-time narrative storytelling was invigorating.

He mentioned that everyone needed to carefully consider the logistics of the situation. Specifically, they had to find ways to keep patients engaged for approximately four to five hours, and manage a large number of extras. It was a steep learning experience, but it was beneficial because it challenged us to reconsider our methods and come up with new approaches, which we hadn’t done in years.

Another point to consider is the aspect of regularity. Unlike some Emmy-worthy series which might air just 7-10 episodes every few years, shows in the medical genre typically have consistent annual broadcasts and larger episode counts, which helps strengthen audience attachment. For instance, “The Pitt” aired 15 episodes, while “St. Denis Medical” had 18. Both are set to maintain this pattern in Season 2.

Time is crucial when shaping the central character in “Doc.” Though the initial season consisted of just 10 episodes, it was rejuvenated for a 22-episode second season, an expansion that both challenges and excites Kligman.

The character development in “Doc” needs careful handling because there were only 10 episodes in the first season, but now there will be 22 episodes in the next one – something that makes Kligman feel a mix of anxiety and excitement.

She finds it beneficial as spending more time with Amy allows us to observe and understand her interactions, behavior, and responses towards specific cases, providing valuable insights not just for us, but also for her in discovering her true self,” she explains.

Ledgin’s humorous perspective on the hospital system likewise draws upon a valuable resource for enduring the rigors of the medical profession – dark humor.

What stands out most in my experiences within healthcare environments is that they can be surprisingly light-hearted, he notes. “We’re all in this shared journey,” he explains, “and sometimes, the humor helps us cope and navigate our daily challenges, without suggesting any lack of empathy or goodwill.

It’s clear that humor acts as a common thread throughout these series, although they may propose solutions in varying manners.

Allen MacDonald, the producer of ‘Chicago Med’, has shared that he’s always had a soft spot for drama, particularly when it’s intertwined with humor. However, by humor, he doesn’t refer to typical jokes. Instead, he means instances that are relatable to people, moments where laughter erupts because viewers recognize the situation in themselves or someone they know. As MacDonald explains, laughter is a protective emotional response. It’s a way of coping because it prevents them from crying too.

The common agreement among Ledgin, Kligman, and Gemmill is that the fascination with medical dramas will never die out, as they believe these shows have a unique ability to portray human emotions amidst the unavoidable pain inherent in the genre.

I’ve consistently anticipated this genre’s persistence, as timing plays a crucial role in its survival. Right now, we seem to be in the perfect spot where the audience is yearning for something just like us. I can’t quite pinpoint what specifically our show offers, but I believe it provides a glimmer of hope and characters that one wishes would be around when they need them most.

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2025-05-21 20:53