There’s no shortage of medical dramas on TV these days, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. What other genre can get your pulse racing over an unexpected closeup of a birth scene and swooning over the person delivering the baby at the same time? Through these shows, we’ve learned that hospitals aren’t just a melting pot for diseases, but also for truly abhorrent office politics, and flawed but hot doctors who often have no lives outside of work. If you’re just getting into them, here are 10 medical dramas for every kind of viewer—from those who love heartfelt storylines to those who enjoy the sight of actual hearts.
1. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: For the long-haul binge-watcher
The reigning champ of medical dramas (possibly never to be dethroned), Grey’s Anatomy is the show that launched a thousand tear-jerking moments and career-defining speeches. With over 20 seasons, it’s for viewers who want to get deeply invested in the personal and professional lives of doctors at Seattle Grace (now Grey Sloan). Warning: emotional whiplash ahead.
2. ‘The Pitt’: For those who love edge-of-your-seat, real-time action
Set in Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency department, The Pitt offers a gripping portrayal of a single 15-hour shift, with each of its 15 episodes covering one hour in real time. Led by Dr Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle), the series delves into the intense challenges medical professionals face, highlighting systemic issues like understaffing and healthcare disparities. Real doctors praise it for its accuracy and realism, down to that graphic scene in episode 11.
3. ‘Hospital Playlist’: For those who love a soulful, feel-good binge
This Korean drama is less about adrenaline-pumping emergencies and more about heart. Following five doctor friends who’ve known each other since med school, Hospital Playlist balances emotional patient stories with slice-of-life charm and band jam sessions. It’s like a warm blanket made of scalpels and feelings.
4. ‘Pulse’: For those who enjoy ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
The latest medical drama from Netflix, Pulse centres on Dr Danielle “Danny” Simms (Willa Fitzgerald), a third-year resident at Miami’s Maguire Medical Centre, who is unexpectedly promoted to chief resident following the fallout of a complex romantic relationship with her superior, Dr Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell). The series delves into the intricate personal and professional dynamics of the hospital staff, tackling contemporary issues such as workplace relationships and power dynamics—all set against the backdrop of a busy trauma centre. It’s being criticised as being too similar to Grey’s Anatomy, but for some people, that’s a good thing.
5. ‘The Good Doctor’: For the underdog cheerleader
Freddie Highmore plays Dr Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, who, given his age and condition, is always underestimated by his peers and patients. More than just a medical procedural, the show explores what it means to be different in high-pressure environments and how empathy, precision and perseverance can coexist. It’s a series for anyone who loves rooting for the quiet genius, and believes that heart and skill can be equally heroic.
6. ‘New Amsterdam’: For the idealist
New Amsterdam follows Dr Max Goodwin, a maverick medical director who walks into America’s oldest public hospital with one radical question: “How can I help?” His mission to humanise healthcare—often at great personal cost—sparks sweeping reforms, emotional storylines and a revolving door of ethical dilemmas. Idealistic, emotionally resonant and quietly political, this is the show for viewers who still believe medicine can be both compassionate and revolutionary.
7. ‘House’: For those who love dry humour
Dr Gregory House is medicine’s most abrasive antihero—a genius diagnostician with zero bedside manner, a Vicodin addiction and an ego as oversized as his intellect. Week after week, he solves impossible cases not with compassion, but with cold logic and biting sarcasm. But beneath the cynicism and caustic wit is a man quietly at war with himself. If you like your heroes damaged, your mysteries twisted and your dialogue razor-sharp, House is the gold standard.
8. ‘ER’ – For those who want to see where it all began
ER is the groundbreaking drama that redefined the medical genre. It finds itself in the spotlight again amid controversy between it and The Pitt—another real-time emergency room drama starring and produced by ER alum Noah Wyle. Set in a Chicago emergency room, ER delivered raw intensity, rapid-fire dialogue and emotionally charged storylines long before binge-watching was a thing. It launched the careers of George Clooney and Julianna Margulies, earned critical acclaim and set the bar for hospital dramas.
9. ‘Scrubs’: For the comedy lover who also loves a good cry
At first glance, Scrubs might seem like just another goofy hospital sitcom, but its blend of surreal humor, heartfelt drama and emotional insight sets it apart. Follow JD (Zach Braff) and his quirky group of fellow residents as they navigate the absurdity of medical school and the chaos of hospital life. What begins as a lighthearted comedy soon reveals itself to be a meditation on friendship, loss and the messy realities of growing up. With its unforgettable daydream sequences and gut-punch moments, Scrubs is a perfect balance of laughs and tears for viewers who want their hospital dramas served with a side of heart.
10. ‘The Resident’: For those who like sticking it to the man
The Resident pulls back the curtain on the darker side of the healthcare system, where profits often come before patients and corruption lurks in the hallways of the hospital. Following Dr Conrad Hawkins (Matt Czuchry of Gilmore Girls fame), a brilliant yet rebellious senior resident, the series shines a harsh light on the moral complexities doctors face in a system where doing the right thing isn’t always easy. With its gritty portrayal of medical ethics, power struggles and a medical team that doesn’t shy away from challenging authority, The Resident is perfect for viewers who want a sharp, unflinching look at the realities of modern medicine.
