Medical dramas such as the Emmy-nominatedThe Pittare making just as many waves this year as crime dramas are, and I, for one, have been loving it. Over the years, medical shows have seen a big shift from mere procedurals to shows with more realistic and often-controversial perspectives, compelling fictional characters, and unique spins, including comedies!
I’ve watched pretty much every new medical show of the past year, and here are seven of my favorites across several streaming services.
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Status
Unconfirmed
After facing personal and professional turmoil in Munich, Dr. Parker (Haley Louise Jones) seeks a fresh start in Berlin. This Apple TV+ German-language series follows the talented but troubled doctor as she’s thrust into the chaotic environment of one of the busiest, most overcrowded emergency rooms in the city, where she faces intense cases, resistant colleagues, and her own inner demons.
Berlin ERis a graphic medical drama with an unsettling narrative arc that’s both engaging and endearing. Its revelation of realistic medical chaos helps draw attention to the interplay between a relentless pace and methodical control while mirroring the dysfunction within the hospital.
Don’t be deterred because it’s in German.Berlin ERis available dubbed in English and is available with closed captions.
Apple TV+
Intense ER drama from Germany,Berlin ERis a gritty and realistic watch.
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Ongoing
If you’re looking for a medical drama with a new angle outside of emergency room chaos,Docis your show.
Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker) is the brilliant but hard-charging Chief of Internal Medicine at Minneapolis’s fictional Westside Hospital. After a bad car accident leaves her with a traumatic brain injury, she loses the last eight years of her memory, including significant events like the death of her son and a divorce.
In addition to navigating an unfamiliar world and having to rebuild her life, Dr. Larsen also has to contend with the medical practice she struggles to remember. Despite her memory loss, she is determined to return to work as an intern.
Docis inspired by the true story of an Italian doctor who also experienced a similar form of memory loss after a car accident.
Hulu
Molly Parker stars in this mind-bender of a hospital drama about a doctor who must start over as an intern after suffering from amnesia.
Netflix took its shot with its first medical procedural this year, and while it leans a little more on the soapy side, it makes foran ideal Netflix weekend binge.
Pulsefollows Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms (Willa Fitzgerald), a third-year resident, as she’s unexpectedly promoted to Chief Resident at Miami’s Maguire Hospital after the former Chief, Dr. Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell), is suspended. What makes this situation awkward is that the two had a secret relationship, and they must now find a way to work together without letting the cat out of the bag.
Oh yes, and all of this is taking place as a major hurricane barrels straight for the southern tip of Florida. While Danny and Xander’s dramatic connection is the nucleus of our show,Pulsealso focuses on real people working together to navigate their responsibilities, relationships, and cases in a pressure cooker.
Netflix
Pulsefollows young third-year resident Danielle Simms after she is unexpectedly made Chief Resident at a Florida hospital.
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This hilarious mockumentary medical show provides just as much drama as it does laughs, and it’s a ripehalf-hour comedy to stream for a quick laugh.
St. Denis Medicalspotlights the overworked doctors and nurses at a hospital in the fictional town of Merrick, Oregon, where they try their best to treat patients and keep their sanity in check. Devoted nurse Alex (Allison Tolman) has just been promoted to emergency room Supervising Nurse and must now contend with an eclectic staff, each with their own attitude.
Meanwhile, the facility’s executive director, Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey), works to turn the hospital into an international medical destination while Dr. Ron (David Alan Grier) is 100% over it all. Together, they must all work around Dr. Bruce (Josh Lawson), who’s a talented but competitive, insecure, arrogant surgeon with a god complex.
There’s no shortage of laughter and feel-good fun inSt. Denis Medical. Season 2 returns this fall!
Peacock
From the folks behindSuperstore, St. Denis Medicalis pout to prove that laughter (and stupidity) is the best medicine.
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In my opinion,The Pittis the absolute best medical drama streaming in 2025, and it’s among the top three to date. It was also HBO Max’s most-watched original title globally, and has been nominated for 13 Primetime Emmys.
The Pittprovides a realistic look at the functioning of an emergency room and the doctors and nurses who pull off incredible feats there, as well as the hospital administrators who run it. It examines the high-stakes intensity and challenges front-line workers face today, as seen from their perspective.
Over the course of 15, one-hour episodes, we follow senior attending physician Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) and his team in a real-time, single shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. The place is severely underfunded and understaffed—a common occurrence.
As Robby leads his staff through a shift from hell, he’s also battling his own secret trauma and post-traumatic stress from the loss of his mentor during the insanity of the COVID pandemic. It’s impressive to see him on the verge of a nervous breakdown, keeping it together to do what he’s best at: saving lives.
Intense, emotional, fast-paced, and extremely well-written and performed,The Pittmakes you forget you’re watching a scripted work of fiction.
HBO Max
Don’t miss the full first season of Max’s most-watched original series,The Pitt.
There’s something to be said about foreign medical dramas: They know how to bring the tension and trauma.
Korea has few skilled trauma surgeons and even fewer who do risky, rebellious things like ride a motorcycle into an active war zone to deliver a backpack full of blood and supplies to those in need. Enter war-seasoned surgeon and trauma god Baek Kang-hyeok (Ju Ji-hoon).
The Trauma Code: Heroes On Callfollows Kang-hyeok as he’s hired to fix a struggling trauma unit inside a major university hospital. He isn’t well-received, due to his blunt attitude and unconventional methods, but that’s expected, given that most of the doctors at Hankuk National University have had little to no trauma training—horrifying, I know.
The series highlights the necessity of quick, effective trauma care and features realistic cases, including those involving severe injuries and critical situations, while exploring the tension between the team’s desire to save lives and the hospital’s financial priorities.
The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call’seight fast-paced episodes will leave you wanting more of this intense Korean medical drama.
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Morris Chestnut stars as Dr. John Watson—yes,thatWatson. This Paramount+ medical drama picks up six months after the death of Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty (Randall Park).
Watsonfollows Chestnut as he resumes his medical career by opening the Holmes Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders, he only sees patients with strange, unidentifiable issues. However, when evidence surfaces indicating that Moriarty is still alive, Watson knows he must face his past and write a new chapter of this fascinating story with the one person he despises.
The show’s foundation is Watson’s investigative spine, which serves as a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives as he redirects his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries.
Paramount Plus
Morris Chestnut stars as Dr. John Watson in this modern take on the Sherlock Holmes character.
Once you finish these unique, wave-making medical dramas of 2025, blast into the past and explore classic medical hits likeER,Grey’s Anatomy, andHouse, or see whatgritty crime dramas to watchthat are making waves this year, too.
