Blending humour, stirring storylines, and heart-wrenching dialogue, Shonda Rhimes’ Grey’s Anatomy has captivated viewers and fans since its first episode debuted in March 2005. The rise and popularity of the medical drama are evident in its longevity, with the recent premiere of its record-breaking 20th season proving to lovers and naysayers alike that it is here to stay. If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, its ensemble cast of characters, and its riveting storylines, these are 21 of the best medical dramas and TV shows to add to your watchlist.
Grey’s Anatomy has held a special place in the hearts of viewers since its pilot episode first aired in 2005. Nineteen extraordinary years and 20 seasons in, the show remains firmly etched in viewers’ hearts and minds, forever imprinted as one of the best medical dramas and TV series to have ever graced our television screens. In spite of its many efficacious distinctions, Grey’s is far from the first medical drama to capture an audience, and it most certainly will not be the last.
Medical dramas and their rise in popular television
Since the release of City Hospital in 1951, medical dramas have become a longstanding staple in the realm of tv series, best beloved amongst casual viewers and hardcore fans alike. Arresting narratives and compelling plotlines created the perfect maelstrom to stoke public interest, whetting viewers’ appetites for all matters pertaining to medicine. And thus began the golden age of medical dramas, which unfurled an endless procession of programmes.
From classic favourites like ER to laughter-inducing comedies like Scrubs, each fresh offering brought with it a host of lovable characters and enthralling diagnoses — all of which viewers ate up with gusto. So prolific was the golden age of medical dramas that it birthed series and shows that continue to grace our screens decades after the airing of their inaugural episodes.
Contrary to its name, BBC’s Casualty is the longest-lived and longest-running medical drama in the world, with a staggering 1,331 episodes spread out over 38 seasons. The show first premiered in 1986; today, an extraordinary 38 years later, it is still in production, and continues to be aired on BBC One. And while Casualty’s longevity certainly points to a positive trend in viewership and ratings, it’s not the only show who can boast of a decades-long run.
When the very first episode of General Hospital debuted in 1963, no one could have anticipated the heights it would go on to scale. Sixty-one spectacular years and seasons later, it is the longest-running medical soap opera in the world, its iconic (and sometimes unbelievable) plotlines garnering the love of a cult following that has continued to support the show even today.
So, what makes medical dramas so very addictive, and why do we keep coming back for more?
While different audiences react and reflect differently upon their medical drama addictions, a good assumption is that said dramas provide a balm for life’s unfortunate afflictions. Like death and taxes, health (or the lack thereof) is certain to come for us all in due time. And in times of sickness, what could be more comforting than watching a hero emerge on-screen in the form of a conventionally attractive doctor? From medical personnel who will stop at no end to ensure their patients’ survival to the tenacity displayed by said patients, medical dramas are here to remind viewers that they, too, can overcome their miserable maladies.
Beyond the intangible fluff of hope, medical dramas also serve as ground zero for discourse on ethics and bedside manner — discourse that medical students and policymakers will certainly find helpful in the course of their careers. By presenting dynamic scripts and scenarios, medical dramas provide diegetic value that encourage analysis and deliberations, allowing aspiring physicians to come up with best practices for treatment and patient care alike. This can also help to develop critical thinking and accelerate decision-making — with ample research that extends beyond what is portrayed in the show, of course. And, in the case of younger viewers, exposure to physician life, even on screen, can inspire a future career in medicine.
If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy (and other medical dramas), here’s a comprehensive list of the best medical dramas and TV series to add to your watchlist!
The best medical dramas and tv series to watch if you like Grey’s Anatomy
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1 /21
The first of three spin-offs to have originated from cult favourite Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice follows the life of Dr. Addison Montgomery (formerly Montgomery-Shepherd) as she embarks on life as a divorcee. Following her departure from Grey’s Anatomy, Addison sets out to put her life back together in a new role at Los Angeles’ Seaside Health & Wellness Centre (formerly Oceanside Wellness Group). Featuring a shining cast of complex characters, the series explores life in a small private medical institution, providing a stark contrast to the corporate undertones of hospitals.
Release Year: 2007 — 2013
Seasons: 6
Cast: Kate Walsh, Tim Daly, Audra McDonald, Paul Adelstein, KaDee Strickland, Taye Diggs, Amy Brenneman, Brian Benben, Caterina Scorsone, and others.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
2 /21
Inspired by the timeless genius of the Sherlock Holmes series, House leverages the intriguing draw of medical mysteries, presenting them as perplexing cases to be solved. In the series, British actor Hugh Laurie (CBE) plays the acerbic and biting Dr. Gregory House, a nephrologist and diagnostician specialising in infectious disease. As Head of the Department of Diagnostic Medicine, House relies on his inimitable genius to diagnose patients who are seemingly healthy — until they aren’t.
Much like Holmes, the anti-authority House is a perceived misanthropist nursing an addiction to narcotics, whose sole motif appears to be ‘being right’. In the same manner, he is balanced out by a Watson-esque sidekick — Dr. James Wilson, portrayed by Robert Sean Leonard of Dead Poets’ Society acclaim.
Release Year: 2004 — 2012
Seasons: 8
Cast: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Olivia Wilde, Amber Tamblyn, and others.
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
3 /21
The existence of The Good Doctor is largely credited to actor Daniel Dae Kim, who championed its production, and now serves as an executive producer for the show. In developing the series, Kim brought House creator David Shore onboard, leveraging his knowledge of medical mysteries and the intrinsic pull it holds for viewers. The resultant show: The Good Doctor, which centres the life and career of autistic surgeon Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) as he undergoes residency at the San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.
A talented genius with a difficult past, Murphy encounters difficulties as a result of his unfiltered observations and unpredictable behaviour, which lends itself to fantastical episodes and interesting storylines that are certain to keep viewers engaged.
Release Year: 2017— ongoing
Seasons: 7
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Hill Harper, Richard Schiff, Antonia Thomas, Will Yun Lee, Fiona Gubelmann, Christina Chang, Paige Spara, and others.
IMDb Rating: 8/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
4 /21
Love the thrilling, fast-paced nature of the emergency room as portrayed on television? Chicago Med follows the day-to-day lives of the emergency doctors and nurses of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Centre. Spotlighting the most difficult and engaging cases encountered by the elite team, the series provides an entertaining glimpse into the professional and interpersonal lives of physicians, even as they rush against the clock to save lives.
Intriguing storylines include that of Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss), a former plastic surgeon who changes specialties to become a supervising attending in the Emergency Department, and Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee), Chief of Emergency Medicine and ex-military physician who eventually leaves the hospital to start a mobile clinic catering to the underserved.
Release Year: 2015 — ongoing
Seasons: 9
Cast: Nick Gehlfuss, Yaya DaCosta, Torrey DeVitto, Brian Tee, Rachel DiPillo, Marlyne Barrett, Colin Donnell, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
5 /21
If you’re in the mood for some lighthearted laughs, look no further than Scrubs, a medical sitcom that marries medicine with merriment and friendship. The show follows the life of and is narrated by central character John ‘J.D.’ Dorian (Zach Braff), who starts out as a low-ranking medical intern in the fictional Sacred Heart teaching hospital.
Over the seasons, viewers follow J.D. along on the adventure of a lifetime, living fantastical daydreams and navigating interpersonal relationships and medical cases, all perfectly tied together in a fast-paced slapstick format. And if you enjoy celebrity cameos in TV shows, you’ll absolutely love catching glimpses of Brendan Fraser, Heather Graham, Michael J. Fox, and Colin Farrell.
Release Year: 2001 — 2008
Seasons: 9
Cast: Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, Judy Reyes, Eliza Coupe, Kerry Bishé, Michael Mosley, and Dave Franco.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
6 /21
Often lauded as the precursor to Grey’s Anatomy, ER is the second longest-running primetime medical drama in American television history, with 15 seasons, 331 episodes, and an incredible trove of awards and accolades including 23 Emmy Awards. With an incredibly stacked cast including Hollywood stars George Clooney, Ming-Na Wen, Angela Bassett, Shane West, and Linda Cardellini, the medical drama follows the lives of Cook Country General Hospital’s physicians and nurses as they seek out the best course to take for their patients and their personal lives.
Over the years, the show has also seen numerous movie stars in guest roles, most notably Chris Pine, Lucy Liu, Shia LaBeouf, Mariska Hargitay, Ewan McGregor, Zac Efron, Stanley Tucci, and more. Compelling characters, intriguing storylines, and Clooney’s piercing gaze all make ER an amazing watch, though be forewarned: It will take a while to finish.
Release Year: 1994 — 2009
Seasons: 15
Cast: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle, Gloria Reuben, Laura Innes, Maria Bello, Alex Kingston, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Ming-Na Wen, Linda Cardellini, Shane West, Angela Bassett
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
7 /21
Led by Matt Czuchry of Gilmore Girls acclaim and Emily VanCamp of the MCU, The Resident follows the medical personnel of the fictional Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. Czuchry plays the titular character Dr. Conrad Hawkins, a senior resident specialising in internal medicine who later rises through the ranks to assume the role of chief resident. The medical drama follows his life as a doctor, incorporating storylines that expertly blend interpersonal relationships, heartbreak, loss, hospital politics, and ethical dilemmas.
Release Year: 2018 — 2023
Seasons: 6
Cast: Matt Czuchry, Emily VanCamp, Manish Dayal, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Bruce Greenwood, Merrin Dungey, Melina Kanakaredes, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
8 /21
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the lives of nurses, look no further than this aptly named medical drama, which follows the lives of five young nurses who work at a Toronto-based hospital. From emergencies and ethical dilemmas to interpersonal conundrums and complex medical cases, this sadly short-lived show has it all.
Release Year: 2020 — 2021
Seasons: 2
Cast: Tiera Skovbye, Natasha Calis, Jordan Johnson-Hinds, Sandy Sidhu, Donald Maclean Jr.
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
9 /21
Yet another great among the annals of medical dramas that follow the lives of nurses, Nurse Jackie is a medical comedy-drama centred on the life of its titular character, Jackie Peyton, portrayed by actress Edie Falco. Like House, Nurse Jackie does not shy away from the portrayal of addiction, the cross of which is borne by the titular character herself. As a drug-addicted emergency nurse at the fictional All Saints’ Hospital, the strong-willed Nurse Jackie battles personal demons, the broken American healthcare system, and the challenges of life throughout the seasons, making for an incredibly compelling, sometimes funny, and 100 percent unforgettable watch.
Release Year: 2009 — 2015
Seasons: 7
Cast: Edie Falco, Eve Best, Merritt Wever, Haaz Sleiman, Paul Schulze, Peter Facinelli, Dominic Fumusa, Anna Deavere Smith, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
10 /21
A heart-wrenchingly compelling addition to the annals of the best medical dramas to add to your watchlist, Transplant follows the story of Dr. Bashir ‘Bash’ Hamed, a refugee who flees war-torn Syria to seek asylum and a new life in Canada. To rebuild life as a practicing physician, Bash must redo his medical training, which he does by joining Toronto’s largest emergency department as a resident. The series provides a snapshot into immigrant life, presented in actor Hamza Haq’s captivating portrayal.
Release Year: 2020 — 2024
Seasons: 4
Cast: Hamza Haq, Laurence Leboeuf, Ayisha Issa, Jim Watson, Sirena Gulamgaus, Torri Higginson, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
11 /21
Medical, supernatural, mystery, and thriller drama all in one, Saving Hope is one of the best and highest-rated medical dramas available for streaming today. Set in Toronto, the Canadian series, which ended in 2017, follows the life of Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance) as she navigates life as Chief Surgical Resident.
The supernatural element is incorporated in the form of Dr. Charles Harris. Harris, who is Chief of Surgery, is also Reid’s fiancé. However, he starts off the series in a coma after surviving a brutal car accident on the way to their wedding. While Harris eventually regains consciousness, his ordeal leaves him with the ability to see comatose and deceased patients.
Release Year: 2012 — 2017
Seasons: 5
Cast: Erica Durance, Michael Shanks, Daniel Gillies, Huse Madhavji, Julia Taylor Ross, Kristopher Turner, Wendy Crewson, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
12 /21
As one of the highest-rated medical dramas on IMDb, Code Black warrants a spot on your watchlist of the best TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy. The show centres the lives of four first-year residents in the fictional Angels Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles and spotlights the trials and tribulations of overcrowding, underfunding, and understaffing, particularly in the emergency room. Based on a 2013 documentary of the same name by Dr. Ryan McGarry, the series is inspired by the real-life Los Angeles County General Hospital, which is regarded as one of the world’s busiest hospitals and United States’ busiest trauma centre.
Release Year: 2015 — 2018
Seasons: 3
Cast: Marcia Gay Harden, Raza Jaffrey, Bonnie Somerville, Melanie Chandra, William Allen Young, Harry Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Rob Lowe, and others.
IMDb Rating: 8/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
13 /21
A medical drama that centres the lives of three night shift doctors with ties to the United States military, The Night Shift provides commentary on contemporary topics, including the stigmatisation of queer people in the United States army, PTSD, and psychiatry. From dangerous cases to personal demons, the series presents an interesting plethora of dramatic scenarios that make for an engaging and enthralling watch.
Release Year: 2014 — 2017
Seasons: 4
Cast: Eoin Macken, Jill Flint, Ken Leung, Brendan Fehr, Robert Bailey, Jr., Jeananne Goossen, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
14 /21
If a high stakes battle against bureaucracy is right up your alley, New Amsterdam is one of the best medical dramas you could watch. Based on Eric Manheimer’s book Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital, the series follows Dr. Max Goodwin’s journey as the new medical director of one of the United States’ oldest public hospitals. Goodwin’s determination to break the wheel of the hospital’s outdated hierarchy causes friction; however, he remains undeterred in his desire for reformation, his ultimate goal being exceptional care for patients
Release Year: 2018 — 2023
Seasons: 5
Cast: Ryan Eggold, Janet Montgomery, Freema Agyeman, Jocko Sims, Tyler Labine, Anupam Kher, and Sandra Mae Frank.
IMDb Rating: 8/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
15 /21
One of the highest-rated medical dramas on IMDb, Nip/Tuck also debuted to general acclaim in 2003. Its first season was the highest-rated new series and the highest-rated basic cable series of all time for demographics aged 18–49 and 25–54; these accolades ensured its place in the annals of the best tv shows in modern history, and for good reason.
Helmed by actors Dylan Walsh and Julien McMahon, who played Dr. Sean McNamara and Dr. Christian Troy respectively, the medical drama — which also incorporates elements of crime, comedy, satire, and psychology — showcases graphic partial depictions of plastic surgery, providing audiences with a semi-realistic portrayal of the surgical beauty industry. As all dramas do, the series also incorporates elements of the doctors’ personal lives in a serialised format, with arcs that span multiple seasons at a time. The show’s success ultimately inspired the creation of Dr. 90210, a reality tv show spotlighting plastic surgery.
Release Year: 2003 — 2010
Seasons: 6
Cast: Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon, John Hensley, Joely Richardson, Valerie Cruz, Roma Maffia, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
16 /21
An enjoyable comedic watch, Royal Pains follows Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein), a brilliant diagnostics surgeon who must move to the Hamptons to become a doctor-for-hire for the wealthy. The series spotlights the concierge medicine practices of independent doctors and companies, many of which cater to the lives of the super-rich and ultra elite.
Release Year: 2009 — 2016
Seasons: 8
Cast: Mark Feuerstein, Paulo Costanzo, Reshma Shetty, Brooke D’Orsay, Ben Shenkman, Jill Flint, and Campbell Scott.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
17 /21
Starring the iconic Neil Patrick Harris of How I Met Your Mother acclaim, Doogie Howser, M.D. is a feel-good medical sitcom that follows the life of the titular character, a teenage leukaemia survivor with great ambitions to become a medical doctor. As the youngest practicing medical doctor, Howser must balance the difficulties of teenage life with the difficulty of practicing medicine as a full doctor.
Release Year: 1989 — 1993
Seasons: 4
Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Max Casella, Belinda Montgomery, Lawrence Pressman, Mitchell Anderson, and others.
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
18 /21
A dark medical drama series with a penchant for encouraging profound reflection, BBC’s Bodies centres specialist registrar Robe Lake (Max Beesley) as he enters a new role in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of the fictional South Central Infirmary. Based on a book of the same name by Jed Mercurio, the show has been called dark and depressing for its themes, which often included complex subjects like negligence, manipulation, and death.
Release Year: 2004 — 2006
Seasons: 3
Cast: Max Beesley, Patrick Baladi, Neve McIntosh, Keith Allen, Susan Lynch, Tamzin Malleson, and others.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
19 /21
An American medical and crime comedy-drama series, Body of Proof follows neurosurgeon Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) as she attempts to adjust course on her life in the wake of a life-changing automobile accident and the accidental killing of a patient on the operating table. As the series begins, Hunt has assumed a new role as a medical examiner, where she analyses bodies to assist with the solving of cases. The episodes then expand on her personal life, down to her efforts to reconnect with her estranged daughter.
Release Year: 2011 — 2013
Seasons: 3
Cast: Dana Delany, Jeri Ryan, John Carroll Lynch, Nicholas Bishop, Sonja Sohn, and others.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
20 /21
With five seasons to its four-year run, Providence is a medical drama that follows the life of successful Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Sydney Hansen (Melina Kanakaredes) as she navigates life back in her hometown, Providence, Rhode Island. Hansen, who closes her private practice to make her return, does so following the sudden death of her mother Lynda, with whom she shared a bitter relationship. Attempting to rebuild her career at the local free clinic whilst simultaneously keeping her dysfunctional family together, Hansen receives a little helpful advice from beyond the grave.
While a sixth season had initially been planned for the show, it was abruptly cancelled when some cast members, including the lead Kanakaredes, declined to return. However, it still makes for a fun watch, providing insight into family dynamics and the strong pull we all inevitably feel for home.
Release Year: 1999 — 2002
Seasons: 5
Cast: Melina Kanakaredes, Paula Cale, Seth Peterson, Concetta Tomei, Mike Farrell, and others.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
(Image: Providence/Rotten Tomatoes)
21 /21
A true classic in the best sense of the word, Chicago Hope is one of the best medical dramas to watch, and the second to feature Héctor Elizondo of The Princess Diaries acclaim. The ensemble cast of the show portray doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, whose lives serve to anchor the show’s compelling storylines.
Most notably, viewers are allowed to empathise with cardiac surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Geiger (Mandy Patinkin), who battles troubled emotions stemming from his mentally unstable wife (portrayed by Kim Greist). Other main characters include neurosurgeon Dr. Aaron Shut (Adam Arkin), who is also Geiger’s best friend, ER doctor and trauma surgeon Dr. Daniel Nyland (Thomas Gibson), and Dr. Phillip Watters (Héctor Elizondo), who serves as Hospital Chief of Staff, and with whom doctors and nurses frequently butt heads.
Release Year: 1994 — 2000
Seasons: 6
Cast: Mandy Patinkin, Héctor Elizondo, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Barbara Hershey, Christine Lahti, Peter Berg, Mark Harmon, and others.
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
(Image: The Movie DB)
(Main and featured images: The Movie DB)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is the best medical TV drama?
Some of the highest-rated medical dramas and TV shows include Grey’s Anatomy, Bodies, Nip/Tuck, New Amsterdam, Code Black, Transplant, House, ER, The Resident, and The Good Doctor.
– What is the most realistic medical drama?
Despite being a comedy, Scrubs has been rated by medical professionals as having one of the most accurate portrayals of medical personnel in training.
– What is the most watched doctor show?
According to IMDb rankings, Grey’s Anatomy is the top-watched TV show in its list of medical dramas. It is followed by House and The Resident.
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Emmelyn Mah
Associate Digital Editor
Emmelyn curates and creates content in Kuala Lumpur, where she's spent the past decade building a portfolio comprising copy and video spanning both print and digital platforms. Endlessly fascinated with cookbooks, interior design, aesthetics, and video games, she is also an ardent foodie - a lemon tart, lychee martini, and coffee enthusiast. Her favourite animal is the common wombat. She's written one award winning cookbook.
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