The recently released seriesThe Pittis already making a name for itself as one ofthe most realistic medical dramas on TV. Taking place at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, the show stars Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Rabinavitch, and much like the series24,each episode covers an hour of the healthcare employees' 15-hour shift.
As viewers wait for more episodes of the show to be released, there are many other medical dramas to keep them entertained. Some of these star familiar faces fromThe Pittwhile others focus on similarly intense medical situations. All of them offer insight into the joys, struggles, and general atmosphere of working in the deeply stressful, deeply rewarding field of medicine.
10’The Good Doctor' (2017)
The Good Doctor
Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, aspires to be a “good doctor.” He constantly tries to prove himself while navigating relationships with his pseudo-adoptive father, Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff), his romantic interest, Lea (Paige Spara), and various other doctors in the hospital. However, those very colleagues fear that his autism will make it impossible for him to become a surgeon, and sometimes, they actively try to make their prediction a reality.
Great Doctor
Dr. Murphy was a controversial figure, with some appreciating his depiction of autism and others finding it offensive. Opinions of the main character notwithstanding,the show wasn’t lacking in dramatic moments, and for those who didn’t like Shaun, there were plenty ofother characters to root for. In short,The Good Doctorisn’t going to be a hit with everyone, but a good number of viewers will think it’s great.
9’Grey’s Anatomy' (2005)
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomyfocuses on the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, following them as they journeyfrom interns to MDs. Along the way, they experience love, romance, betrayals, and loss. In fact, the relationships and personal tragedies often play an even bigger role in the episodes than the medicine.
Medical “Drama”
Putting the “drama” in medical drama,Grey’s Anatomysometimes veers into soap opera territory. At the same time, it has a devoted audience who have stuck with the series through all 21 seasons. While some think it’s time for the showto call it quits, it’s undeniable that the earlier seasons are classics.
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8’House' (2004)
Dr. GregoryHouse(portrayed by Hugh Laurie) is a brilliant diagnostician with zero bedside manners. The series follows him and his team as they solve complicated medical cases at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. At the same time, House struggles with constant pain and an ongoing addiction to Vicodin. Things are only further complicated by his interest in his boss, Dr. Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), and his often uneven relationship with best friend, Dr. Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard).
Brilliance Unmatched
Dr. House is definitely among the most brilliant doctors in medical TV history.Based partially on Sherlock Holmes, House is a mystery-solver first and foremost, and he won’t let anything stop him from solving a case. He frequently breaks the law and goes against his patients' wishes in pursuit of finding an answer. If we’re looking for the best doctor to figure out a difficult diagnosis, it’s him, but for more standard sicknesses, he’s probably not a good pick.
7’Watson' (2025)
Similar toHouse,Watsonis a medical drama with elements of a detective series. These elements are even more pronounced inWatson, as the main character previously worked with Sherlock Holmes, only to return to medicine afterthe detective’s apparent death. But when evidence emerges that Holmes' killer, Moriarty, is still alive, Watson realizes that his past life is calling him back.
A New Series
LikeThe Pitt, Watsonis a new series that is currently still being released. However, we have enough to go off of to bet that it’s going to be pretty great. Plus, this means viewers have something new to look forward to multiple times each week.
6’Nurse Jackie' (2009)
Nurse Jackie
Nurse Jackiefocuses on the titular nurse, played by Edie Falco, as she battles drug addiction while working at All Saints' Hospital. Although she cares about her patients, it’s hard taking care of others when she can barely take care of herself. As her personal life becomes increasingly complex, she turns more and more to drugs. This creates a self-destructive cycle that threatens not just her job, but her very life.
More to Come
At times darkly comedic,Nurse Jackiewas a hit with audiences and lasted 7 seasons. The show ended ambiguously, but fortunately for fans,a sequel is now in the works.
5’Doc' (2025)
Being Chief of Internal Medicine is already difficult, and losing eight years' worth of memory only makes the job harder. Unfortunately, this is exactly the situation that Dr. Amy Larsen, played by Molly Parker, finds herself in.Based on a true story, Larsen is recovering from a TBI, which has made her forget her divorce, her relationships, and a tragic event from her past. Now, she must navigate a reality she doesn’t remember and decide whether she wants to do things differently this time around.
A New Era in Medical Dramas
LikeWatson(andThe Pitt),Docis a fairly new show. It wasFox’s biggest premiere in five years, but audiences and critics delivered mixed reviews. Still, we think it’s worth checking out, and alongsideThe Pittand Watson, it’s markinga new era of medical dramas.
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4’The Resident' (2018)
The Resident
The Residentfocuses on the staff of Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, primarily following Senior Resident Conrad Hawkins (played by Matt Czuchry) as he tries to teach medical student Devon Pravesh (portrayed by Manish Dayal) the ins and outs of the job. However, the more Devon learns, the more he becomes disillusioned with the hospital, his coworkers, and medicine in general.
The Sick Side of Hospital Business
The Residentoffered viewers insight into the bureaucratic tape that can sometimes limit hospitals. It also realistically showed how the stress and competing demands of the job could easily lead to burnout. Although the show was canceled after Season 6, its newfound popularity on Netflix has fans (and cast members) hopeful for a revival.
3’ER' (1995)
Created by Michael Crichton,ERtakes place in Cook County Hospital and centers on the emergency room doctors and the patients they treat. The lives of these doctors became just as important and entertaining to viewers as the cases they solved. Notably, several big actors got their start in the show, including George Clooney, Julianna Marguiles, and, of course, Noah Wyle.
Noah Wyle’s Roots
ERwas Noah Wyle’s first venture into medical dramas. Now that he’s returned toThe Pitt,it’s time to go back to where it all began. Although the shows are fairly different, both involve difficult medical cases and complex characters, and they touch upon the real stakes and rewards of being a doctor. In short, they do exactlywhat a medical drama is supposed to do, offering viewers a cure for boredom, a better understanding of the healthcare system, and a look into the dedicated people behind it.
2’The Night Shift' (2014)
The Night Shift
The Night Shiftfocuses on the doctors of San Antonio Memorial Hospital, many of whom previously worked in the military. A big theme of the show is the characters' difficult transition to civilian life, which is made even harder by PTSD. Fittingly taking place during the night shift, the series balances the chaos of the ER and the drama of the characters' relationships alongside the trauma of the protagonists' pasts.
Don’t Sleep on it
The Night Shiftoffers a unique twist on medical dramas by focusing heavily on the doctors' own psychological distress. Plus, the “night shift” itself is somewhat of a character, one which adds to the doctor’s stress and intensifies the drama.
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1’Transplant' (2024)
Transplant
Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq) is a refugee who arrives in Canada during the Syrian Civil War. Unfortunately, his medical credentials aren’t recognized in his new country, so he’s initially denied a job. However, after showing off his skills during an emergency, he’s offered a residency at York Memorial Hospital. Now, he’s essentially starting his medical career all over, and he must battle discrimination and cultural barriers to prove he has what it takes.
Compelling and Relevant
Highly underrated,Transplantis worth a watch not just for its compelling plot and protagonist, but also because of its political and social relevance.The series lasted four seasons, though the final seasonhas yet to be aired in the US.
