32 TV Shows Set In A Hospital

Medical shows, from dramas like *ER* to comedies like *Scrubs*, have been a staple of television almost since its beginning. Producers often rely on medical settings because these shows consistently attract large audiences, whether they’re aiming for laughs, tears, or a mix of both. While not every show becomes a long-running success like *House*, the series on this list all have dedicated fans, and many have been incredibly popular. Here’s our selection of TV shows set in hospitals.

ER

Few medical dramas have achieved the lasting popularity of *ER*. The show, created by Michael Crichton and set in a busy Chicago hospital, was a ratings hit for many years, running for an impressive 15 seasons and 331 episodes. Beyond its success, *ER* played a significant role in launching the careers of stars like George Clooney and Julianna Margulies, alongside established actors such as Anthony Edwards, Angela Bassett, and Eriq La Salle.

St. Elsewhere

I remember watching *St. Elsewhere* religiously! It was set at Saint Eligius Hospital, and even though it wasn’t always the highest-rated show, it was a huge deal in the ’80s, always winning awards. The cast was amazing – William Daniels, Stephen Furst, Howie Mandel, Mark Harmon, and so many others. And it was really cool to see Denzel Washington getting his start there too. Six seasons of great television – it was a fantastic show.

Grey’s Anatomy

When it comes to medical dramas, only *Grey’s Anatomy* could potentially rival *ER* as the greatest of all time. The show has been incredibly popular throughout the 21st century and is sure to be remembered as one of the most beloved TV series ever. Over the years, the hospital featured in the show has been known by a couple of different names, including Seattle Grace Hospital and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Nurse Jackie

Nurse Jackie takes place in the bustling All Saints Hospital in New York City, and focuses equally on the life of the main character, Jackie, and the challenges of working in a hospital. Unlike many medical shows, it honestly portrays the emotional toll healthcare work takes on those dedicated to helping others. While it has its funny moments, the show doesn’t shy away from difficult and emotionally powerful storylines.

The Resident

I recently got hooked on *The Resident* over on Fox. It’s a really compelling show centered around a brilliant doctor – Matt Czuchry plays him – at a hospital in Atlanta called Chastain Park Memorial. But what I love is that it doesn’t *just* focus on him. The show really makes an effort to show you what life is like for everyone who works there – the nurses, the orderlies, even the people running the hospital, and how they often clash with the medical staff.

Scrubs

If you’re looking for a hilarious show, *Scrubs* is a strong contender. This popular sitcom, which takes place at the made-up Sacred Heart Hospital, is well-known for the funny and chaotic adventures of its main cast, including Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and John C. McGinley. It originally aired for nine seasons with nearly 200 episodes and continues to be enjoyed by viewers through reruns and streaming.

MASH

MASH, which stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, is a truly iconic medical show, even though it wasn’t set in a typical hospital. Starring Alan Alda, the show became a television landmark, and its final episode drew the largest audience ever for a TV show – a record it held for many years.

Chicago Hope

Mark Harmon started his acting career with a guest appearance on the medical drama *ER*. He later joined the cast of *Chicago Hope* as a character who famously swore on live television – a testament to the show’s bold and realistic style. *Chicago Hope*, also set in a hospital, was known for tackling tough issues in a direct and impactful way.

General Hospital

Despite not airing during prime time or on streaming services like many shows today, *General Hospital* remains incredibly popular. Since its debut in 1963, this long-running soap opera has broadcast over 15,000 episodes. While the actors and characters in the town of Port Charles-many of whom work at the hospital-have changed throughout the years, the show’s enduring appeal continues to captivate audiences.

The Pitt

After just one season, *The Pitt* quickly gained recognition as one of the most compelling and realistic medical dramas ever made, earning it an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The show launched the career of Noah Wyle, who became well-known for his role…

House

Many people, myself included, consider *House*, starring Hugh Laurie, to be the best medical drama ever made. Laurie brilliantly portrays Dr. Greg House, a sharp-tongued but incredibly gifted doctor who leads a team of young specialists at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. They tackle incredibly rare and challenging medical cases, and you’ll quickly learn that the answer is almost anything *but* Lupus.

Nurses

The CBS drama *Nurses*, though it only ran for parts of two seasons and 25 episodes, received critical praise and even won an Emmy for its lead actress, Michael Learned. Set in New York City’s fictional Grant Memorial Hospital, the show, which also featured Robert Reed of *The Brady Bunch*, unfortunately didn’t get the audience it deserved.

City Of Angels

Despite lasting only a little over two seasons, *City of Angels* is remembered as the first network medical drama with a mainly Black cast, starring Blair Underwood, Viola Davis, and Vivica A. Fox. The CBS show also helped kickstart the careers of Gabriel Union and Maya Rudolph, who both appeared in supporting roles.

Doogie Howser, M.D.

Though often joked about now, *Doogie Howser, M.D.* was a hugely popular sitcom in the early 1990s. The show centered around Neil Patrick Harris as a teenage boy who becomes a doctor at just 14 years old. While the premise is definitely far-fetched, it was a genuinely funny show when it aired and helped launch the career of Harris, who continues to entertain audiences today.

Dr. Kildare

Actor Richard Chamberlain passed away in early 2025 at the age of 90. He’s best known for starring in the TV medical drama Dr. Kildare, which ran on NBC from 1961 to 1966. The show was a pioneer in the television world and greatly influenced many medical dramas that followed.

The Knick

Though it only lasted for two seasons and 20 episodes, *The Knick* was a truly captivating show. Starring Clive Owen and André Holland, it followed surgeons at a New York hospital who were pioneers of modern medicine. It was nominated for several Emmys, and while incredibly interesting, the show didn’t shy away from the often-gruesome realities of early 20th-century surgery.

Chicago Med

It’s hard to dispute the incredible success of television producer Dick Wolf. He created not only the hugely popular *Law & Order* series, but also the *Chicago* franchise. It began with *Chicago Fire* and expanded to include *Chicago P.D.*, completing the series with the medical drama *Chicago Med*, which follows doctors at the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Now in its tenth season, *Chicago Med* and its related shows continue to be important parts of NBC’s prime-time schedule.

Mercy

As a big fan of medical dramas, I’ve seen a lot of them come and go, and honestly, it’s rare for one to reach the level of something like *ER*. I remember watching *Mercy* when it came out in 2009-2010, and while it had a solid cast – Taylor Schilling, Jaime Lee Kirchner, and the lovely Michelle Trachtenberg – it just didn’t quite stick. It followed three nurses at a hospital in New Jersey, but it fell into a lot of familiar patterns and couldn’t really find its own unique voice. It was enjoyable enough, but ultimately, it just blended in with everything else.

Lenox Hill

Unlike the other entries on this list, *Lenox Hill* is a documentary series that originally appeared on Netflix in 2020. It provides a compelling and realistic look at the lives of doctors working at the actual Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of many similar medical shows.

Childrens Hospital

You might not know *Childrens Hospital* – it began as a show online before running for seven seasons on Adult Swim. While it didn’t become hugely popular, it developed a loyal following thanks to its unique, darkly humorous style.

Marcus Welby, M.D.

For a long time, ABC wasn’t one of the leading television networks. In the 1960s, CBS and NBC consistently had the highest ratings. However, that changed in 1970 with the show *Marcus Welby, M.D.*, which became ABC’s first program to reach number one in the primetime rankings for the 1970-1971 season. Robert Young starred as the title character, a doctor who, in many ways, set the stage for later popular TV doctors like House. Dr. Welby often disagreed with his colleagues about patient care at the fictional Lang Memorial Hospital in California.

AfterMASH

To be frank, *AfterMASH* didn’t reach the same level of quality-or popularity-as the original *MASH*. While it wasn’t a complete failure like some spin-offs, it wasn’t a huge hit either. The show continued the story of Colonel Potter, played by Harry Morgan, after the Korean War, bringing back a few other familiar faces from *MASH*. However, it lacked the original’s blend of comedy and drama.

The Night Shift

While *The Night Shift* isn’t the most memorable medical drama, it had some really good moments during its four seasons on NBC. Ken Leung was perfectly cast as a night shift doctor, and I wish the show had lasted longer because of his performance.

Code Black

Hospitals, particularly emergency rooms in large cities, are frequently short-staffed and overwhelmed. The TV show *Code Black*, inspired by a real-life documentary, vividly portrayed the intense challenges faced by doctors and nurses in Los Angeles. Although it only ran for three seasons, it offered a powerful and realistic look at the pressures of modern healthcare.

St. Denis Medical

If you enjoyed shows like *The Office* and *The Paper*, you’ll probably like *St. Denis Medical*, which is available on Peacock. It’s a funny look inside a hospital, similar to how *Parks and Recreation* portrayed the world of local government, and it offers a welcome bit of lightheartedness.

The Good Doctor

David Shore is a highly successful showrunner responsible for acclaimed series like *NYPD Blue* and *House*. His medical drama, *The Good Doctor*, recently concluded its seven-season run on ABC in 2024. The show centered on Dr. Shaun Murphy, a gifted young doctor who can quickly grasp what’s wrong with patients. Like Shore’s previous iconic doctor, Greg House, Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore) possesses a remarkable, Sherlock Holmes-inspired intellect, a quality that proves particularly effective in medical storytelling.

Brilliant Minds

Zachary Quinto is known for his role as a memorable villain on NBC’s *Heroes*. In 2024, he returned to NBC playing a very different character: a gifted neurologist working in a Bronx hospital, in the series *Brilliant Minds*.

Pulse

I really enjoyed *Pulse*, and I was so disappointed when Netflix canceled it after just one season in 2025. It felt like the show was finally hitting its stride, and I wish they’d given it more time to develop. It’s frustrating when it feels like Netflix doesn’t stick with a show long enough to really let it shine, like so many others.

Casualty

I think a lot of people assume *Grey’s Anatomy* is the longest-running medical drama, but they’d be surprised to learn it’s actually a British show called *Casualty*! It started way back in 1986 and is all about the doctors and nurses at a hospital in Southwest England. They’ve made over 1,300 episodes, which is incredible. While *General Hospital* has been on even longer overall, *Casualty* definitely holds the record for primetime medical dramas – it’s been going strong for so long and has way more episodes than anything else out there.

Carol’s Second Act

Good medical comedies are rare, and for good reason – dealing with serious health issues makes it tough to keep things funny. That’s why it’s so enjoyable when one comes along, like the CBS show *Carol’s Second Act*. Though it only lasted 18 episodes with Patricia Heaton playing a middle-aged medical intern, I think it had potential and could have succeeded with a longer run. It was a genuinely fun idea.

The Doctors

Many people know *General Hospital* debuted in 1963, but did you know another hospital drama, *The Doctors*, started on the exact same day? *The Doctors* aired on NBC for 20 years, running for over 5,500 episodes, but it ended in 1982, while *General Hospital* continued on ABC.

New Amsterdam

To be honest, *New Amsterdam* isn’t the most original show out there, but I still think it’s worth watching if you enjoy medical dramas. It’s not going to change television, but it’s a solid show that definitely delivers what you’d expect from a hospital series – I found it really satisfying!

2025-09-23 01:44

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