Here's a list of 10 shows that are just like "Code Black" but might've slipped under your radar.
10. The Night Shift (2014-2017)
"The Night Shift" is set at San Antonio Memorial's emergency room, led by TC Callahan, a former Army doctor with a penchant for rule-breaking. He butts heads with his ex-girlfriend Jordan, who is the ER's deputy medical director. TC's best friend, Topher, is the calm to TC's storm, always pulling him back from the edge.
Alongside a cast of quirky but competent nurses and doctors, they juggle life-or-death situations, like treating veterans and handling mass casualty incidents, all while the administration is always breathing down their necks.
9. Off the Map (2011)
Airing for just one season, "Off the Map" brings us to a remote South American village where doctors are scarce. Lily Brenner, an optimistic young surgeon, joins this understaffed and under-equipped clinic, run by the no-nonsense Dr. Ben Keeton. Working with her are two other young doctors, Mina and Tommy.
The jungle setting means they have to improvise; think operating on patients in treehouses and dealing with exotic diseases. Lily develops a complicated relationship with Dr. Keeton, who has his own mysterious past.
8. Chicago Med (2015-Present)
Part of the "Chicago" franchise, "Chicago Med" takes us to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Will Halstead heads the emergency department, but it's Medical Director Sharon Goodwin who truly runs the show.
Each episode is filled with a mix of medical cases, from common injuries to rare diseases. Dr. Natalie Manning, a pediatric specialist, has a will-they-won't-they relationship with Dr. Halstead, providing a dash of romance amid the chaos. Meanwhile, the staff work together to save lives, like the time they had to handle a multi-vehicle accident on a snowy day.
7. The Resident (2018-Present)
Conrad Hawkins is a brilliant but unconventional resident at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. Alongside him is Devon Pravesh, a newbie intern eager to learn but not ready for the realities of medical work. The two of them often challenge the administration, especially the hospital's Chief of Surgery, Dr. Randolph Bell, whose reputation is way better than his actual surgical skills.
6. Monday Mornings (2013)
"Ally McBeal" creator David E. Kelley brought us this one-season wonder, set at the fictional Chelsea General Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Ty Wilson is a hotshot neurosurgeon dealing with a tragedy that shakes his confidence. The title refers to the weekly morbidity and mortality meetings where doctors review complications and errors, overseen by the stern Dr. Harding Hooten.
It's here that the doctors get grilled, and trust me, you wouldn't want to be in their shoes. While we see the usual mix of surgeries and diagnoses, it's these Monday meetings that truly set the show apart, as they reveal the emotional toll of the profession.
5. Trauma (2009-2010)
Set in San Francisco, "Trauma" is all about first responder paramedics. The series starts with a traumatic event that leaves its mark on all main characters, especially Nancy and Rabbit. Nancy is a headstrong paramedic who doesn't hesitate to break a few rules if it means saving lives. Rabbit, a flight medic, is a daredevil who lives for the adrenaline rush.
This series gives a fresh angle by focusing less on the hospital setting and more on what happens in the field.
4. Mercy (2009-2010)
"Mercy" homes in on the lives of three nurses at Mercy Hospital. Veronica Callahan, who served in Iraq, is the centerpiece of the series. She returns from her tour of duty with a good deal of emotional baggage and more medical expertise than most doctors. Her best friend, Sonia, has a love life that could be a soap opera on its own.
The newbie, Chloe, has to learn the ropes while struggling to find her place among her more experienced peers. In between treating patients, Veronica deals with her estranged husband while nursing a budding relationship with a doctor at the hospital.
3. A Gifted Man (2011-2012)
Dr. Michael Holt is a talented but arrogant surgeon running a high-end private practice. His life gets a shake-up when his ex-wife Anna starts appearing to him. Plot twist: Anna is dead and needs Michael to help the free clinic she left behind. Taking on Anna's mission, Michael begins working at the clinic, providing healthcare for those who can't afford his usual high fees.
From complicated surgeries to diagnosing rare diseases, he now has to balance his cushy private practice with the gritty realities of low-income healthcare.
2. Pure Genius (2016-2017)
Tech billionaire James Bell builds Bunker Hill, a state-of-the-art hospital aimed at revolutionizing healthcare. He recruits Dr. Walter Wallace, a surgeon who was recently ousted from his position due to a controversial treatment decision. The hospital uses cutting-edge tech to treat patients, think robotic arms for surgery and machine learning algorithms for diagnoses.
Can a tech guru and a fallen surgeon make a perfect team?
1. Vital Signs (2016)
This one's a British gem that's not very well-known, but it's worth a watch. Dr. Paul Keane is the Chief of Surgery at University Hospital Coventry. The show focuses heavily on the choices doctors have to make when resources are limited. For instance, Paul has to decide between allocating a liver transplant to a young girl or an older man with a higher chance of survival.