Medical-based series have come a long way since the era of M.A.S.H and ER. In between the unnecessary scenes of trauma and gore, the new wave of medical series celebrate the comedy and real-life banter that goes on behind the scenes. One such show, Royal Pains, follows a private doctor who sets up shop in the Hamptons; its second season airs on OSN from November 22. Before you tune in, get clued up on the best medical series in the biz.
Scrubs (2001-2010)
This comedy-driven series became popular with med students for its playful soundtrack, relatable cast and comic relief. When it first aired in 2001, the characters were fresh-out-of-college medical interns, and the series followed their journey to becoming hospital residents, as seen from the viewpoint of main character JD, played by Zach Braff. The series has received 17 Emmy nominations, in categories such as casting, cinematography, directing, editing, and writing, and Braff was nominated for the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a TV Series in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Season nine box set from Dhs48, available at www.amazon.co.uk.
Nip/Tuck (2003-2010)
This saucy series looks at the more controversial side of medicine: plastic surgery. Starring Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon, each episode involves the aesthetic procedures of one of their more eccentric clients, as well as delving into the personal lives of the doctors. In 2004, Nip/Tuck was awarded an Emmy for outstanding prosthetic makeup in a series.
Season six box set from Dhs80, available at www.amazon.com.
House (2004-)
Heading a team of diagnosticians (those responsible for identifying diseases according to symptoms) at Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital in New Jersey is the slightly oddball Dr Gregory House. In this investigative medical series, House takes into account the personal lives and history of his patients, often crossing ethical boundaries and leading to conflict with his superiors.
Season six box set from Dhs71, available at www.amazon.co.uk.
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-)
Meredith Grey is the heroine in this gloomy Seattle-based series, which draws its plots from the livesof a group of young doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital. Known as the series that propelled Katherine Heigl to star status, the rom-com actress may have since left, but the cast still includes Hollywood heavyweight Patrick Dempsey.
Season eight airs on OSN Network on Tuesdays at 8pm.
Royal Pains (2009-)
Sitting somewhere between Scrubs and The OC, Royal Pains follows the life of newly private doctor Dr Hank Lawson, who takes up an on-call practice in the sun-soaked Hamptons after he’s blamed for the accidental death of a patient at an NYC hospital. Lawson floats from one mansion to the next at the whim of the wealthy elite, attending to bizarre cases while battling with his own moral integrity.
Season two airs on OSN Network on Tuesdays at 10pm.
