The hit NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds may have concluded, but there are many shows to turn to with similar premises. Brilliant Minds, based loosely on the real life of neurologist Oliver Sacks, follows Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) using his unusual approach to medicine to care for patients. He and his team of doctors and interns are passionate about exploring the last great frontier of medicine, the human mind. After 13 episodes, the ending of Brilliant Minds season 1 has left viewers feeling bereft.
WIth Brilliant Minds season 2 still unconfirmed, it’s possible that the season 1 finale may have also served as the series finale. However, there are options besides rewatching the first season – a story can only be told so many times before its impact is dulled. The best alternatives for fans to find the same character complexity, medical marvels, or romantic subplots lie in the great medical dramas that came before.
1
Chicago Med
2015-Present
Chicago Med is the third installment in Dick Wolf’s trilogy following life-saving careers in Chicago (preceded by Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire). The drama is set mainly in the emergency department of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Chicago Med includes unique doctors and nurses while also highlighting special patients, making it a great character show to fill the gap left by the Brilliant Minds interns.
Chicago Med includes unique doctors and nurses while also highlighting special patients, making it a great character show to fill the gap left by the Brilliant Minds interns.
Chicago Med season 10 is back from its midseason break, making now the perfect time to tune in. Additionally, there are nine full seasons streaming on Peacock. Similar to Brilliant Minds, new episodes of Chicago Med air on NBC. The next episode airs Wednesday, January 15.
2
The Good Doctor
2017-2024
The Good Doctor has a very similar premise to Brilliant Minds, which makes it a great alternative. In both shows, a talented doctor who experiences the world in a different way is suddenly moved to a new hospital. They both bring baggage from their past with them, but they’re incredibly gifted at diagnosing and caring for patients.
The Good Doctor’s counterpart to Dr. Wolf is Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), a gifted surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. Similar to Wolf, Shaun has to approach every case with his own unique perspective and tactics, sometimes in the face of adversity. The seven seasons of The Good Doctor had varying reviews, but all episodes are streaming on Hulu.
3
New Amsterdam
2018-2023
While some entries focus on the skilled doctor at the helm, New Amsterdam is largely praised for its interpersonal relationships and realistically critical view of hospital bureaucracy. Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) isn’t a perfect replacement for Wolf, but his passion as the new medical director of a public hospital and goals of radical reform are reminiscent of Wolf’s insatiable drive. Both doctors push the boundaries of their given roles for the greater good.
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For fans of the relationship between Wolf and Dr. Nichols (Teddy Sears) or the intern love triangle, there’s a healthy dose of romances in New Amsterdam. Though New Amsterdam drew to a close in 2023, there are five full seasons to watch. All episodes are streaming on both Peacock and Netflix.
4
Transplant
2020-2024
Transplant, a Canadian medical drama, follows Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq) as he starts a residency at York Memorial Hospital after emigrating from Syria amidst a civil war. Bash was already an accomplished medical professional, but his adopted country demands he prove himself to everyone around him. The otherness experienced by Bash is similar to Wolf, but Bash has interesting nuances relating to his identity and role in a greater geopolitical conversation.
The otherness experienced by Bash is similar to Wolf, but Bash has interesting nuances relating to his identity and role in a greater geopolitical conversation.
Transplant never shies away from the harsh reality it aims to portray, and that makes it incredibly powerful. There’s a distinctly Canadian spin that sets it apart from US medical dramas, but it maintains the heart and personality of the best of the best. Season 4 of Transplant was unfortunately its last, but episodes can still be streamed on Peacock.
5
The Resident
2018-2023
In place of Wolf, Matt Czuchry’s Conrad Hawkins is the main character of The Resident. Just as rebellious as Wolf but a bit more arrogant, Hawkins aims to oppose the authoritative hierarchy at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. Hawkins lacks Wolf’s unwavering sense of hope, but there are more “naive” residents in the medical drama who can fulfill that niche.
The Resident doesn’t hesitate to highlight the ugly truth of the healthcare system and the hardworking doctors who work to serve their patients despite it all. The unconventional practices Hawkins learned in the Marines offer an exciting departure from typical medical dramas, but the intricately designed characters are what truly set it apart. The drama ended in 2023, but all six seasons of The Resident are streaming on Hulu and Netflix.
6
House
2004-2012
House is not only one of the most iconic medical series ever, but Hugh Laurie’s House himself is one of the most recognizable characters of all time. One of the many characters based on Sherlock Holmes, House is a uniquely misanthropic doctor with an unrivaled eye for detail. Despite his cynical demeanor, House has an inexplicable insight into his patients that feels like a darker mirror of Wolf’s care.
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Aside from both protagonists being genius doctors, House also leads a team of diagnosticians at a hospital in New Jersey, bordering Wolf’s work in the Bronx. House is certainly a grittier alternative to Brilliant Minds, but the glimpses of brilliance in Laurie’s character are familiar enough. No show can totally replace the outstanding creativity of Brilliant Minds, but each medical drama has its own charm that can offer a wonderful viewing experience on its own.
A renowned neurologist and his team of interns delve into the complexities of the human brain, navigating groundbreaking cases inspired by real-life disorders. As they explore this final frontier, they must also confront their own personal challenges and mental health struggles, making for an emotionally charged and intellectually stimulating drama.
- Release Date
-
September 23, 2024
- Seasons
-
1
- Cast
-
Zachary Quinto
, Teddy Sears
, Tamberla Perry
, Alex MacNicoll
, Spence Moore II
, Aury Krebs
, Ashleigh LaThrop
