Medical dramas have always been a big hit with TV viewers, and The Resident is one of the most exciting shows in this category. Based on Marty Makary's book Unaccountable, gives us a close look at the complicated world of the American healthcare system.
The Resident revolves around Dr. Conrad Hawkins (played by Matt Czuchry), a senior resident at Chastain Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. As a natural leader with a rebellious streak, Conrad doesn’t shy away from bending the rules to ensure his patients get the best possible care.
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His relationships with the hospital’s staff, including nurse practitioner Nic Nevin (Emily VanCamp) and the idealistic new resident Dr. Devon Pravesh (Manish Dayal), add layers of personal and professional tension.
The show pulls back the curtain on the healthcare system, showing how doctors must balance medical ethics with the harsh realities of the system they're a part of. It’s a captivating mix of medical drama, moral dilemmas, and human relationships.
Here’s a list of 10 other shows that fans of The Resident will love.
Top 10 shows like The Resident
1) St. Elsewhere (1982-1988)
Where to Watch: Hulu
If you loved The Resident, then St. Elsewhere should be next on your watchlist. This classic medical drama was one of the first to showcase healthcare workers as real people with flaws. St. Elsewhere was set in Boston’s South End at the struggling St. Eligius Teaching Hospital.
It earned its nickname St. Elsewhere because it was considered a last-resort medical facility, taking on patients rejected by better-equipped hospitals. Despite its outdated equipment, the hospital was home to skilled professionals like Dr. Mark Craig, a famous heart surgeon.
The show was groundbreaking, combining multiple storylines that wove through episodes and seasons. It portrayed doctors and nurses not as perfect heroes but as flawed, real people.
Tackling social issues like AIDS, addiction, and cancer, the show struck a balance between intense medical drama and moments of humor. Its influence can still be felt in modern medical shows like ER and Chicago Hope.
2) ER (1994-2009)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Created by Michael Crichton, ER was set in the bustling emergency room of Chicago’s fictional Cook County General Hospital. The show depicted the chaotic, fast-paced life of emergency room doctors and nurses.
Over its 15 seasons, ER changed casts frequently, but its core members included Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards), Doug Ross (George Clooney), and John Carter (Noah Wyle).
ER set the bar for medical dramas, creating tension with its rapid-fire pace and intense cases. As one of the longest-running TV dramas, it tackled medical and personal challenges faced by healthcare workers in an ever-evolving world. The influence of ER can be seen in newer shows like The Resident.
3) Chicago Med (2015 - Present)
Where to Watch: Peacock, NBC
Part of Dick Wolf’s One Chicago franchise, Chicago Med focuses on the lives of doctors and nurses at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. The show strikes a balance between personal stories, romantic entanglements, and medical emergencies.
Characters like Dr. Will Halstead, a former plastic surgeon, and Dr. Ethan Choi, a Navy veteran, bring a unique dynamic to the hospital staff.
Chicago Med is an excellent choice if you love medical dramas with a dose of personal drama. The characters’ relationships are often just as crucial as the surgeries and treatments they perform.
4) Five Days at Memorial (2022)
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
This miniseries offers a harrowing look at the days following Hurricane Katrina. Five Days at Memorial tells the true story of a New Orleans hospital in crisis, with patients and staff stranded amidst rising floodwaters and no power.
It’s based on Sheri Fink’s non-fiction book by the same name and follows the events that led to a shocking death toll and a subsequent investigation.
Unlike long-running series, Five Days at Memorial is a tightly-paced miniseries that tells a gritty, unforgettable story about the challenges of medicine in disaster zones.
5) The Good Doctor (2017-Present)
Where to Watch: Hulu, ABC, Netflix
The Good Doctor follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. Played by Freddie Highmore, Shaun moves from a small town to a prestigious hospital in California, where he faces skepticism from colleagues.
His sharp mind and unique abilities help him overcome challenges, while his personal growth provides the series with an ongoing narrative.
This show stands out for its portrayal of neurodiversity in the medical profession and its focus on personal development alongside the usual medical drama.
6) Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Where to Watch: Netflix, ABC
Grey’s Anatomy is one of the most popular medical dramas of all time, named after the famous medical textbook Gray’s Anatomy. The show focuses on the personal and professional lives of surgical interns at Seattle Grace Hospital, led by Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).
The series mixes romance, friendships, and hospital drama, often dealing with personal challenges that blur into their medical careers.
With characters falling in and out of love, complicated surgeries, and many twists, Grey’s Anatomy has managed to keep its audience engaged for over a decade.
7) House M.D. (2004-2012)
Where to Watch: Peacock
House, M.D. follows the brilliant but unconventional Dr. Gregory House played by Hugh Laurie, a doctor who solves complex cases while battling his addiction to pain medication.
Set at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, House leads a team of doctors through puzzling medical mysteries, often breaking hospital rules to find the cure.
The show’s central character, House, is as fascinating as the medical cases, often taking the show into moral and ethical grey areas. With its unique approach to diagnostics, House became one of the most-watched shows globally during its run.
8) Scrubs (2001-2010)
Where to Watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime
Unlike the intense dramas on this list, Scrubs offers a comedic take on hospital life. Set in the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, the show follows young doctor John "J.D." Dorian played by Zach Braff as he navigates the ups and downs of working in a hospital with eccentric staff and unpredictable patients.
Known for its satirical humor, surreal scenes, and quick-witted dialogue, Scrubs stood out for blending comedy with real, heartfelt moments. It was a unique show in the medical drama genre that could switch from absurd humor to touching life lessons seamlessly.
9) The Night Shift (2014-2017)
Where to Watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime
The Night Shift is a great pick for fans of fast-paced action. The show is all about doctors working the night shift in a busy emergency room, facing one crisis after another.
With intense medical situations and plenty of drama, this show manages to keep viewers hooked and the suspense creates a compelling need to keep watching.
10) Code Black (2015-2018)
Where to Watch: Paramount+, CBS
Set in one of the busiest emergency rooms in the U.S., Code Black is all about high-stakes medical drama. The tension is constant, and the doctors are always overwhelmed by the number of patients.
If you loved the gripping intensity of The Resident, Code Black will keep you engaged with its emotional and action-packed storylines.
Medical dramas have a unique way of capturing our attention, blending the urgency of life-and-death situations with deep emotional storytelling.
Whether you're drawn to ethical dilemmas, fast-paced hospital environments, or complex characters, the shows we've listed here offer something for every fan of The Resident.
Each one brings its flavor to the world of medical drama, but all share that same ability to pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat.
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