Tired of Fictional Medical Dramas? These 5 Shows are Based on the Real Thing
Forget Grey's Anatomy, these shows are based on the real deal.
Ready for some real-life medical drama? Look no further than these top med shows based on actual events.
From heart-wrenching patient cases to the behind-the-scenes politics of running a hospital, these shows have it all. And the best part? You can learn a thing or two about the medical field while being thoroughly entertained.
House, M.D.
Gregory House is a brilliant doctor and diagnostician, but he's also an unbearable human being. His lack of friendliness is overshadowed by his talent for identifying even the rarest of diseases, making him one of the country's most famous diagnosticians.
The creation of the show was influenced by two doctors. One of them was Dr. Lisa Sanders, who wrote a column called Diagnosis for the New York Times. She became a technical consultant for the show. The other was Berton Roueché, who wrote articles about unusual medical cases for The New Yorker.
Scrubs
This medical series is based on the real-life experiences of its creator, Bill Lawrence. Not only did Lawrence bring in a few medical consultants, including doctors Jonathan Doris, John Turk, and Dolly Cloke (whose names inspired the characters of John Dorian, Christopher Turk, and Molly Clock), but he also managed to snag the leading role for actor Zach Braff on his second try. That's right, Braff's first audition didn't go as planned, but luckily for him, the producers lost the recording and gave him a second chance. Talk about a lucky break!
The Knick
The critically acclaimed medical drama from legendary director Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Solaris, Contagion). Set in 1900 at the New York City hospital, The Knick, this series follows the lives of doctors fighting to save their patients without the aid of antibiotics and modern technology. At the center of the story is the troubled and drug-addicted surgeon, John Thackery.
But the real inspiration for Thackery's character is the talented American surgeon, William Halsted (1852-1922), who also struggled with drug addiction. So not only will you be entertained by the drama and intensity of The Knick, but you'll also learn a thing or two about the history of medicine. Trust us, it's a must-watch for any medical drama fan.
ER
It's hard to believe that the beloved medical drama ER (1994) almost never made it to our screens. In 1974, American writer Michael Crichton wrote a script based on his own experiences as a medical intern, but it was rejected by several television companies and Crichton moved on to other projects. Fast forward to 1990 when Crichton published his novel Jurassic Park, and in 1993, he began working with director Steven Spielberg. It was then that Crichton and Spielberg revisited the ER script and turned it into a two-hour pilot episode for the series.
And thank goodness they did, because ER became George Clooney 's breakout role and launched him into superstardom. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best things in life are worth the wait.
New Amsterdam
This series follows the story of Dr. Max Goodwin, who is appointed as the head of the oldest state hospital New Amsterdam. But things aren't exactly smooth sailing for Dr. Goodwin, as the hospital is barely funded and lacks proper equipment. Undeterred, the new boss fights against bureaucracy in an attempt to restore the hospital's former glory.
And here's a fun fact for all you medical history buffs: New Amsterdam is partially based on the memoirs of Dr. Eric Manheimer, Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital. Dr. Manheimer served as the head of one of New York's oldest hospitals, Bellevue, for 13 years. So not only will you get your fix of medical drama, but you'll also get a glimpse into the real life struggles of a hospital administrator.