15 Shows Like ‘Chicago Med’ You Absolutely Have to Check Out

Television procedurals set in emergency rooms and trauma centers have long captivated audiences with their blend of high-stakes medical crises and intense workplace dynamics. The NBC drama series ‘Chicago Med‘, developed by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead as part of the One Chicago franchise, focuses on the relentless pace of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.

For viewers drawn to ethical dilemmas, rapid triage situations, and complex patient stories, numerous other productions offer similar hospital-based narratives. These fifteen television series explore life-or-death emergencies, healthcare administration struggles, and the dedicated professionals who work on the front lines of emergency medicine.

‘ER’ (1994–2009)

Created by author and physician Michael Crichton, ‘ER’ chronicles the chaotic daily routines of medical personnel working at County General Hospital in Chicago. The long-running medical drama established modern television conventions for fast-paced emergency room operations, utilizing continuous tracking shots and technical medical terminology. Central cast members across its fifteen seasons included Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene, George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross, and Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter. The series addresses high-volume trauma care, public healthcare funding shortages, and the psychological strain experienced by resident physicians. Much like ‘Chicago Med’, the narrative centers entirely on an urban Chicago hospital navigating relentless clinical and ethical crises.

‘The Resident’ (2018–2023)

Broadcast on Fox, ‘The Resident’ focuses on the staff of Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as they treat critical patients while dealing with corporate healthcare corruption. The storyline centers on senior resident Dr. Conrad Hawkins, portrayed by Matt Czuchry, who mentors idealistic first-year resident Dr. Devon Pravesh, played by Manish Dayal. Alongside nurse practitioner Nicolette Nevin, played by Emily VanCamp, the clinical team regularly exposes billing fraud, medical malpractice, and bureaucratic negligence within hospital administration. The drama examines the tension between financial profitability and patient welfare across emergency procedures and advanced surgical operations. Viewers who follow the administrative battles and ethical dilemmas in ‘Chicago Med’ will recognize similar systemic conflicts throughout this six-season series.

‘New Amsterdam’ (2018–2023)

Inspired by Bellevue Hospital in New York City, ‘New Amsterdam’ follows Dr. Max Goodwin, portrayed by Ryan Eggold, as he takes charge of America’s oldest public medical facility. Dr. Goodwin dismantles administrative red tape by prioritizing direct patient care, challenging insurance companies, and restructuring departmental protocols. The ensemble cast includes Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe, Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom, and Jocko Sims as Dr. Floyd Reynolds. The narrative regularly depicts emergency room surges, infectious disease management, and public health initiatives designed to serve underserved populations. The program mirrors the public institution focus and institutional battles present in ‘Chicago Med’.

‘The Good Doctor’ (2017–2024)

Developed by David Shore for ABC, ‘The Good Doctor’ follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident diagnosed with autism and savant syndrome. Portrayed by Freddie Highmore, Dr. Murphy uses his extraordinary photographic recall and spatial visualization to diagnose rare conditions at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Richard Schiff co-stars as hospital president Dr. Aaron Glassman, who advocates for Murphy against skeptical board members and attending surgeons. Each episode balances complex operative procedures, clinical ethics reviews, and personal challenges encountered by the hospital surgical team. Like ‘Chicago Med’, the series emphasizes unconventional treatment plans and difficult ethical choices in critical care situations.

‘Code Black’ (2015–2018)

Based on Ryan McGarry’s documentary of the same name, ‘Code Black’ takes place in the overwhelmed emergency room of Angels Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles. The term “code black” refers to a crisis protocol triggered when patient intake severely exceeds hospital resources and staff capacity. Marcia Gay Harden leads the cast as residency director Dr. Leanne Rorish, who trains incoming doctors to perform rapid trauma procedures under extreme pressure. The medical procedural presents high-tempo trauma bay resuscitation, triage protocols, and the logistical challenges of public emergency departments. The relentless emergency room environment provides a similar clinical intensity to the emergency department shown in ‘Chicago Med’.

‘The Night Shift’ (2014–2017)

Airing for four seasons on NBC, ‘The Night Shift’ centers on medical personnel staffing the emergency room at San Antonio Memorial Hospital during late-night hours. Many of the physicians, including Dr. TC Callahan, played by Eoin Macken, are former military medics who employ battlefield techniques to stabilize trauma victims. Ken Leung portrays emergency department head Dr. Topher Zia, who constantly negotiates with hospital administration over equipment deficits and budget caps. The plotlines feature mass-casualty incidents, civilian accidents, and the unique challenges of operating with limited nighttime medical staff. Fans of ‘Chicago Med’ will recognize the fast-paced trauma intervention and military-derived medical backgrounds depicted in the storylines.

‘Transplant’ (2020–2024)

Created by Joseph Kay, ‘Transplant’ follows Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed, a Syrian refugee with extensive combat trauma experience who flees to Toronto. Hamza Haq stars as Dr. Hamed, who secures an emergency medicine residency at York Memorial Hospital after saving lives during a catastrophic accident. Under the supervision of emergency department head Dr. Jed Bishop, played by John Hannah, Hamed adapts his improvised battlefield techniques to a Canadian hospital setting. The series explores complex cultural transitions, triage procedures, and medical ethics across its four-season run. The high-stress emergency bay scenes directly parallel the emergency medicine protocols seen on ‘Chicago Med’.

‘House’ (2004–2012)

Created by David Shore for Fox, ‘House’ centers on Dr. Gregory House, portrayed by Hugh Laurie, who leads the diagnostics department at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Dr. House relies on deductive reasoning and unorthodox diagnostic procedures to identify rare, life-threatening pathologies that other physicians fail to diagnose. His investigative team includes specialists such as Dr. Robert Chase, played by Jesse Spencer, and Dr. Allison Cameron, played by Jennifer Morrison. The series frequently details hospital ethics committee hearings, experimental treatments, and clashes with hospital administrator Dr. Lisa Cuddy, played by Lisa Edelstein. Viewers of ‘Chicago Med’ who appreciate complex medical mysteries and contentious physician debates will recognize identical themes in this series.

‘Station 19’ (2018–2024)

Created by Stacy McKee, ‘Station 19’ follows the daily operations of firefighters and emergency medical technicians operating out of Seattle Fire Station 19. The ensemble drama stars Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera and Jason George as Dr. Ben Warren, an anesthesiologist and surgeon who transitioned into firefighting. The show focuses heavily on pre-hospital trauma triage, paramedic field interventions, and coordinating emergency transfers directly into trauma bays. Recurring crossover storylines connect the characters to the surgical staff and emergency department of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. This procedural mirrors the seamless first-responder and emergency room coordination frequently highlighted in ‘Chicago Med’ and the broader One Chicago franchise.

‘Private Practice’ (2007–2013)

Developed by Shonda Rhimes as a spin-off of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Private Practice’ tracks neonatal surgeon Dr. Addison Montgomery, played by Kate Walsh. Dr. Montgomery leaves Seattle to join the Oceanside Wellness Group, an integrated private clinic located in Santa Monica, California. The narrative explores contentious bioethical dilemmas, including experimental neonatal surgeries, reproductive technologies, and physician-assisted dying. Alongside hospital surgical cases at St. Ambrose Hospital, the doctors frequently convene to debate legal and moral boundaries in patient care. The ongoing focus on medical ethics panels and difficult patient choices will appeal to audiences familiar with ‘Chicago Med’.

‘Saving Hope’ (2012–2017)

Set at Hope Zion Hospital in Toronto, ‘Saving Hope’ follows Dr. Alex Reid, a surgical resident played by Erica Durance. Following a vehicle accident, Reid’s fiancé and Chief of Surgery Dr. Charlie Harris, portrayed by Michael Shanks, falls into a coma. While Harris wanders the hospital corridors as a spirit, the surgical staff must manage high-risk trauma admissions and routine clinical emergencies. The series dramatizes complicated surgical procedures, critical care protocols, and the emotional toll experienced by operating room staff. Like ‘Chicago Med’, the series frequently addresses critical patient resuscitation and difficult decisions regarding end-of-life care.

‘Nurse Jackie’ (2009–2015)

Created by Liz Brixius, Linda Wallem, and Evan Dunsky, ‘Nurse Jackie’ stars Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, an emergency department nurse in New York City. Jackie navigates the chaotic trauma floor of All Saints’ Hospital while concealing a severe addiction to prescription pain medication. The show highlights the central role of nursing staff in managing triage, advocating for patient safety, and confronting physician oversights. Merritt Wever co-stars as enthusiastic nurse Zoey Barkow, while Peter Facinelli plays eccentric attending physician Dr. Fitch Cooper. Viewers of ‘Chicago Med’ who appreciate the dedicated nursing perspective embodied by characters like Maggie Lockwood will find comparable emergency room dynamics here.

‘Hawthorne’ (2009–2011)

Broadcast for three seasons on TNT, ‘Hawthorne’ centers on Christina Hawthorne, played by Jada Pinkett Smith, who serves as Chief Nursing Officer at Richmond Trinity Hospital. Hawthorne leads an emergency and clinical nursing staff while confronting budgetary constraints, understaffing, and bureaucratic hospital administrators. Michael Vartan co-stars as Dr. Tom Wakefield, the hospital chief of surgery who frequently collaborates with Hawthorne on critical patient cases. The series showcases nursing advocacy, patient triage, and emergency medicine procedures from the vantage point of hospital leadership. The ongoing administrative friction and patient-first ethics reflect themes central to the storytelling of ‘Chicago Med’.

‘Third Watch’ (1999–2005)

Created by John Wells and Edward Allen Bernero, ‘Third Watch’ chronicles emergency services in New York City during the 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. shift. The drama tracks paramedics, firefighters, and police officers operating out of the fictional 55th precinct and its adjoining firehouse. Paramedics played by Kim Raver and Michael Beach perform rapid field trauma medicine before transporting patients to local emergency rooms. The series established the template for interconnected first-responder procedurals that balance street-level rescues with trauma bay care. As an early multi-agency emergency procedural, it directly foreshadows the structural style of ‘Chicago Med’ and the One Chicago franchise.

‘Strong Medicine’ (2000–2006)

Created by Tammy Ader and Whoopi Goldberg for Lifetime, ‘Strong Medicine’ focuses on the Rittenhouse Hospital clinic in Philadelphia. The clinic is co-directed by Dr. Luisa Delgado, played by Rosa Blasi, who champions community healthcare, and Dr. Dana Stowe, played by Janine Turner, a Harvard-educated researcher. The show explores socioeconomic barriers to medical care, emergency interventions, and specialized women’s health treatments. Across six seasons, the narrative deals with medical board investigations, controversial clinical trials, and critical hospital admissions. The focus on contrasting medical philosophies and patient advocacy aligns closely with the institutional dilemmas featured in ‘Chicago Med’.

Share your thoughts on which medical drama best captures the high-stakes intensity of hospital emergency care in the comments.