‘Doc’ Scores Early Renewal: A 22-Episode Treat Amid Medical Drama Revival
Hold onto your scrubs! The freshman medical drama ‘Doc,’ headlined by the ever-charming Molly Parker, just snagged a juicy 22-episode Season 2 renewal from Fox, and honestly, that’s as rare as a unicorn in the current broadcast landscape. These days, networks are happier with shorter seasons, often settling for about 13 to 18 episodes, especially for shows that start midseason. Just think about it—‘Doc’ is bucking the trend and is now part of an elite club, alongside CBS’s ‘Tracker,’ of midseason shows that are getting all those extra episodes without waiting around to prove themselves first.
What’s pushed ‘Doc’ to this level of confidence from Fox? Ratings—lots of them! Its debut shook up the hospital wings with over 16 million viewers tuning in, making it the most-watched premiere on Fox in five years (hello, ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’!). Talk about a strong pulse! In fact, ‘Doc’ is one of only two freshman shows this season that not only held its ground but grew in viewership during its second week. The show’s second episode even managed a series high in the coveted 18-49 demographic, which is basically gold in TV ratings.
Now, let’s talk trends. With hits like ‘The Good Doctor’ and ‘New Amsterdam’ recently hanging up their stethoscopes, medical dramas seemed to be losing their charm, but the genre is creeping back into the spotlight. This midseason alone has rolled out four new medical dramas, including ‘Doc’ and Max’s ‘The Pitt,’ both of which have already been greenlit for additional seasons. Even CBS’s ‘Watson,’ despite its sketchy future, is showing promise.
Moreover, ‘Doc’ represents a wave of European adaptations taking American television by storm—fitting neatly into the same niche that previous hits like ‘The Office’ capitalized on. With a growing number of well-received adaptations, we could be entering a renaissance for global storytelling on our television screens. And let’s not overlook the rarity of our leading ladies: both Parker and fellow showrunners are in their 50s, proving that the best roles aren’t just for the twenty-somethings anymore.
With Fox Entertainment’s President Michael Thorn excited about the overwhelmingly positive reception, it looks like audiences really are ready for a hearty dose of medical drama. So, grab your popcorn and prepare for more patient drama ahead—‘Doc’ is officially here to stay!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, TVLine
