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
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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
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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
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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.
Related Jery Hewitt: How New Amsterdam Honored The Late Stunt Coordinator Jery Hewitt was a prolific stunt coordinator, having worked on many Dick Wolf shows, including 14 New Amsterdam episodes, and 14 Coen brothers movies.
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
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Transplant, a Canadian medical drama, follows Dr. Bashir
6 Best Shows To Watch Like Brilliant Minds
