NBC has acquired more fans since St. Denis Medical's launch in November. This medical comedy amalgamates the amusing Scrubs style with the mockumentary vibe of The Office. It is based on the lives of busy doctors and nurses in a struggling hospital in Oregon.
Even though most people love the show and compare it to popular shows, the series has not yet been renewed for a second season. During an exclusive interview with The Direct published on December 14, 2024, Josh Lawson, who plays Dr. Bruce, was optimistic about the show's future.
“I haven’t heard anything, [but I’m] hoping for the best,” said Lawson.
He says that there is much space for new stories.
The series, by Justin Spitzer of Superstore and Eric Ledgin, explores how people get along at work with warmth and humor, which audiences have enjoyed. As fans wait for a decision on whether the show is to continue, the December 17 episode will put emphasis on the peculiar cast of characters and their oddities.
Here’s a look into the show’s appeal and what’s next for St. Denis Medical.
What's so special about St. Denis Medical?
At first look, St. Denis Medical seems like another medical comedy show. But its mockumentary style and very realistic characters make it different. Josh Lawson said in his interview with The Direct that while people will compare it to Scrubs, St. Denis Medical is unique on its own.
“This feels a little more... grounded,” he said, attributing the difference to the mockumentary style, which “allows a different kind of comedy to exist in the hospital space.”
The show tries to present the confusion and silliness of working in a poorly funded hospital, making the characters compelling. It follows a dedicated nurse, played by Allison Tolman, whose promotion to Supervising Nurse makes things tough for her while simultaneously trying to support the emergency department.
Dr. Bruce is the strongest and most confident trauma surgeon, but his greatest weakness is social situations. Lawson's acting shows that Bruce is more than just a funny guy.
“Having confidence is critical in his role,” Lawson explained.
He says Bruce's excellence makes his bad-tempered character tolerable, much like House MD.
Comparing the show with Scrubs, which ran for nine years beginning in 2001, makes a lot of sense since its creators point out St. Denis Medical's mockumentary presents an original point of view.
As Josh Lawson observed,
“There’s a wealth of craziness behind the scenes at every hospital.”
This provides endless material for future seasons.
A stellar cast brings St. Denis Medical to life
The show's cast is one reason why more people watch it. Wendi McLendon-Covey, David Alan Grier, and Kaliko Kauahi make a fun and easy-to-relate-to group of doctors with Allison Tolman and Josh Lawson.
As per ComingSoon, the cast recently proved their chemistry in a promotional clip where they jokingly "diagnosed" their characters with real-life medical issues. Tolman's Alex holds everything together as she fuses care and frustration and deals with her new duties.
At the same time, McLendon-Covey's character Joyce wants to make the hospital a place people from all over the world will visit, bringing ambition to the comedy. The characters show overconfidence, tiredness, and strong will, reflecting healthcare workers' real struggles, which makes the humor thought-provoking.
Simon Heuer and Ruben Fleischer are the executive producers who have brought a workplace comedy into existence, focusing on character growth and funny situations. St. Denis Medical fans and critics have praised the cast for making the material better, and Lawson's Dr. Bruce is always in the spotlight because of his foolish confidence.
Will there be a St. Denis Medical Season 2?
Fans are wondering about the future of St. Denis Medical's renewal. NBC has not made an official statement yet, but the show's popularity looks good for its future. Lawson says there are many storylines to explore based on true stories from healthcare workers.
He said that friends and strangers have come to him with amazing hospital stories, making him believe the show can last long.
The creative team, led by Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin, has a strong history of making successful comedies like Superstore. Their skill in mixing humor with emotion has been key to the show’s success. If it gets renewed, fans can look forward to seeing more about the characters’ lives, both in the hospital and outside.
As NBC looks at the show's performance, the cast and crew remain optimistic. The show will get another chance to display why St. Denis Medical deserves a second season on December 17 in the next episode.
St. Denis Medical airs on NBC and is available to stream through Peacock.
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