There’s no denying that medical dramas are becoming increasingly popular across the U.S., especially since they tend to deal with real-world issues. But alongside the cases and the patients, a lot of these shows are teeming with personal drama, gripping audiences with their highs and lows. As such, America has become a medical drama fanatic, so it’s no wonder the genre has grown so exponentially.
New Amsterdam is a prime example, placing viewers at the center of a fast-paced hospital in New York. The staff at this establishment is expertly trained, but with the number of cases that walk through the door, it’s evident that the team is at breaking point. But why is New Amsterdam so popular, and how does it match up against its competitors?
What Is New Amsterdam About?
- The doctor who gets fired in the pilot episode is played by the show’s director, Peter Horton.
- New Amsterdam is based on the Bellevue Hospital Center, the oldest public hospital in the US, dating back to 1736.
- More than half the show was filmed in Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.
New Amsterdam is a detailed medical procedural inspired by Eric Manheimer’s inspiring book Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital. As such, the series follows Dr. Max Goodwin, the medical director of New Amsterdam Hospital, as he strives to reform the archaic rules that have placed the US healthcare system under so much strain for many years. As fans can imagine, this is no easy feat, and he must support his colleagues as they also struggle to keep up with increasing levels of demand. Though this show could be viewed as a political commentary on healthcare across the country, it also offers the same level of dramatic tension as its contemporaries such as Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med.
Alongside its immense storylines, this medical drama is packed full of A-list stars, such as The Blacklist’s Ryan Eggold and Doctor Who’s Freema Agyeman. In turn, this drama utilizes some of the country’s best talent to retell these highly emotional stories in a graceful manner. Not to mention, the show is also highly received by viewers, scooping up an impressive 14.10 million viewers on its first episode back in 2018.
New Amsterdam’s Doctors Aren’t Afraid to Let Their Masks Slip
- Dr. Helen Sharpe has a picture of Robert Sean Leonard in her office, the actor who plays Dr. James Wilson in the hit medical show House M.D.
- Joko Sims is also known for playing Dr. Wilmot in the Fox series The Resident.
Although a lot of medical dramas don’t shy away from the traumas associated with this line of work, New Amsterdam takes these emotions to new heights. This is particularly evident in Season 3, Episode 3, “Safe Enough,” when Dr. Helen Sharpe breaks down in tears while filming a COVID-19 PSA. This is a very harrowing scene as Dr. Sharpe admits to herself and others around her that the virus is spreading at an alarming rate, and she cannot promise that all of her patients will survive. Thus, her breaking voice and tearful eyes really give this episode an overlay of heartbreak and highlight the realistic nature of this show. In turn, this example shows that the staff at New Amsterdam no longer feel like they can keep up a positive act and are close to their ultimate breaking point.
The show also comments on a wealth of contemporary events, ensuring that the characters can come across as more three-dimensional and passionate. For example, in Season 2, Episode 18, “Matter of Seconds,” Dr. Frome indicates the difficult argument concerning gun laws in America, especially surrounding the Red Flag Law. This law states that the state can temporarily seize a person’s firearms if it believes that the person is at risk of harming themselves or others. Throughout this episode, Dr. Frome explores his own opinions on guns but sometimes struggles to withhold his bias, especially when trying to treat an unstable patient. Therefore, New Amsterdam does a fantastic job of not necessarily forcing a specific political narrative but allowing these characters to express their own views to progress the plot further.
New Amsterdam’s Contemporary References Create Heartbreaking Scenes
Top 5 Most Popular Episodes of New Amsterdam
- Season 1, Episode 17, “Sanctuary”
- Season 4, Episode 22, “I’ll Be Your Shelter”
- Season 5, Episode 13, “How Can I Help?”
- Season 3, Episode 1, “The New Normal”
- Season 1, Episode 22, “Luna”
COVID-19 impacted every aspect of the TV production process, but New Amsterdam seemed to take these new conditions as a blessing and created a number of engaging episodes. In Season 3, Episode 1, “The New Normal,” the hospital prepares to adapt to the conditions of the pandemic, complete with masks, gloves, and a complex set of rules. Though these protocols undoubtedly created a number of limitations for the cast and crew, this episode does a great job of emphasizing the stress associated with a new viral outbreak. Therefore, it’s clear to see that these protocols were not just added for the sake of realism and continuity, but were implemented to help give a sense of looming sense of anxiety to every case.
But, COVID wasn’t the only source of inspiration for this medical drama, as it also deals with other recent events, like the rising cost of living seen throughout the US. In Season 2, Episode 6, “Righteous Right Hand,” the team at New Amsterdam Hospital treats the victims of a church bus crash. Although the majority of these victims are not badly hurt, the church leader informs the staff that they purposely crashed the bus so that the passengers could get their other ailments seen to. Admittedly, many audience members would agree that this is a pretty twisted thing to do, but this example indicates that high-quality healthcare is quite inaccessible. Thus, New Amsterdam doesn’t just emphasize the issues surrounding health insurance, but it showcases just how far desperate people will go to get the treatment they need.
What’s Next for New Amsterdam?
After five action-packed seasons, New Amsterdam bosses announced that the show would conclude. Though many fans were expecting a sixth season, it seems that the hit medical drama was canceled after a string of less-than-desirable ratings. Yet, it seems that this franchise will be taking a new shape in the form of a spinoff sequel called New Amsterdam: Tomorrow. It is rumored that the series will take place 30 years into the future and follow Dr. Goodwin’s daughter, Luna, as she takes over her father’s role.
