Grey’s Anatomyis pretty much an institution at this point, and one of the greatest and most influential medical dramas of all time. Running 21 seasons and almost 450 episodes to date,Grey’s Anatomyboasts an ensemble cast of great characters, and has helped launch the careers of stars like Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, and Patrick Dempsey.
Critically acclaimed for its sharp writing, realistic depiction of the lives of healthcare professionals, and its exploration of the human condition.Grey’s Anatomywas one of the highest-rated shows in America in its early years, and while ratings have dipped in recent times, the series remains a pop culture juggernaut, and one of the most important medical shows of all time.
Medical dramas provide nail-biting drama, showcase the inner workings of hospitals, and shine a light on the stresses and issues facing medical professionals. Weaving layered storylines and complex characters, medical dramas often make for essential and immersive television, and these are seven of the best modern medical dramas that hold a candle toGrey’s Anatomy.
7The Good Doctor
2017-2024
One of the most recent examples of a great medical drama in the vein ofGrey’s AnatomyisThe Good Doctor. The show stars Freddie Highmore as Shaun Murphy, a young surgical resident with autism, and chronicles his journey to becoming Chief of Medicine at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital in San Jose, California.
The show was adapted from the South Korean series of the same name, and ran on ABC from September 2017-May 2024. Acclaimed for its strong acting and refreshingly thought-provoking drama,The Good Doctorwas a strong hit for the network for its seven-season run.The Good Doctor’s series finalewrapped up the show in a satisfactory way.
The Good Doctorshares the same sentimentality and melodrama asGrey’s Anatomy, but its quirkier and more off-beat premise makes it an interesting and unique option for fans of compelling medical dramas. ThoughThe Good Doctorconcluded in 2024, those looking to watch it for the first time can stream every episode on Hulu.
6Casualty
1986-Present
Having been on the air for almost 40 years,Casualtyis pretty much a British institution at this point, and remains one of the most iconic medical dramas in television history.Casualtyhas 19 years onGrey’s Anatomy, and though it lacks the glitz and glamour of its US counterpart, it’s one of the most important shows Britain has produced.
Casualtyspawned a short-lived police-based spinoff show HolbyBlue that aired from 2007-08.
Casualtyhas won six BAFTA Awards over the course of its run, and is officially recognized as the longest-running primetime medical drama series in the world. Following the staff and patients of the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department of the fictional Holby City Hospital,Casualtyspawned the spinoff show Holby City.
The series is one of the most iconic for its duration, long-running social and political themes, and an episode count of more than 1,300 episodes. US audiences who are looking to start watchingCasualtyfor the first time can discover this epic medical drama by streaming episodes on BBC America and BritBox.
5New Amsterdam
2018-2023
Based on the bookTwelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospitalby Eric Manheimer,New Amsterdamis one of the most successful medical dramas of recent times. The show follows Dr. Max Goodwin as he becomes the director of one of the United States' oldest public hospitals, looking to transform it while battling his own cancer diagnosis.
New Amsterdamworked so well because of its earnest approach to storytelling, as well as its exploration of the wider-ranging systemic issues in healthcare and how they impact patients and doctors alike. DespiteNew Amsterdam’s season 6 cancellation, the show remains one of the strongest medical dramas to have recently aired.
New Amsterdamis similar toGrey’s Anatomyin many ways, but one of the key ones is how it focuses on the interpersonal relationships between doctors and physicians, and how these play into their approach to healthcare. Both shows focus on the team aspect of healthcare and how this is essential for giving patients the care and support they need.
4Breathless
2024-Present
Breathlessis a Spanish hospital drama that evokes similarities toGrey’s Anatomyas it follows the staff and patients of the Joaquín Sorolla Public Hospital in Valencia. The show was created by Carlos Montero and features an ensemble cast including Najwa Nimri, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, and Blanca Suárez.
Breathlessshowrunner Carlos Montero also created the limited seriesThe Mess You Leave Behindfor Netflix.
The show debuted on July 10, 2025, and its eight-episode first season proved popular for its gritty realism and focus on real-world issues, such as strikes, surgical challenges, and young doctors being worked to breaking point.Breathlessis a strong and compelling medical drama that has something to say.
The first season is available to stream on Netflix, and the fact that it is only eight episodes means it should be easy to get through the season and prepare forBreathlessseason 2, which is due to premiere in 2025 and will look to build upon season 1’s respectable 71% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
3General Hospital
1963-Present
General Hospitalis the longest-running soap opera currently in production on American television. One of the most successful and influential medical shows of all time,General Hospitalseamlessly blends some of the mostclassic soap opera tropeswith medical drama, spicy romances, tragedy, comedy, and strong character arcs.
The show has run since 1963 on ABC and has so far run over 15,000 episodes.General Hospitalis one of the leading medical dramas on television and is still going strong today. If you are looking for an alternative option toGrey’s Anatomythat is easily accessible and provides the perfect blend of melodrama and romance, the soap opera might be it.
General Hospitalholds the record for the most Daytime Emmy Awards with 14 wins. As one of the leading soap operas in the US,General Hospitalis a more pulpy, zesty take on the medical drama genre, but its preposterous stories make it a wonderful contrast toGrey’s Anatomy.
2The Resident
The Residentfollows an ensemble cast of characters at Chastain Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. The series has been acclaimed for its take on the world of medical professionals, and how the politics and bureaucracy of the medical world can severely impact the hospital’s ability to give people the proper care they need.
The Residentshares similarities withGrey’s Anatomyin the sense that both are focused on the business of medicine, and the impact this has on healthcare professionals, but both shows are also anchored by love stories.The Resident’s central will-they-won’t-theyromance inThe Residentbetween Billie and Conradis one of the most epic on network TV.
ThoughThe Residentconcluded in 2023 after six seasons and more than 100 episodes, the show aired on Fox, and you might be able to catch reruns. If you want to be able to enjoy the show from the start, then you can stream the whole show on Hulu.
1Chicago Med
2015-Present
Chicago Med, in many ways, is the crowning jewel of theOne Chicagofranchise, and this is one of the best medical dramas on TV. If you are seeking a medical show likeGrey’s Anatomythat is gritty and unflinching look at the nurses and doctors in the emergency department of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.
Chicago Medhas some of the most memorable and interesting characters ever to populate medical dramas. The show has been a core part of theOne Chicagofranchise’s incredible crossover experiences, which has helped to elevate the series.Chicago Medseason 10has been as strong as any season of the show, and the hope is that season 11 can continue this.
With almost 200 episodes aired to date, NBC’s ratings juggernaut is the perfect alternative toGrey’s Anatomy, especially for those seeking darker, grittier, and more serious medical drama.
