10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Nurse Jackie (2009)

Description: ER, like Nurse Jackie, is a medical drama that combines intense emergency room cases with the personal lives of its characters. Both shows feature flawed protagonists who struggle with personal demons while trying to maintain their professional responsibilities. The fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the ER mirrors the chaotic energy of Nurse Jackie's All Saints Hospital.

Fact: ER was created by best-selling author Michael Crichton. The show launched the careers of many now-famous actors, including George Clooney. At its peak, ER was the most-watched television series in the United States.

Description: Scrubs shares with Nurse Jackie a unique blend of comedy and drama, often referred to as a 'dramedy'. Both shows provide a realistic yet humorous look at the daily lives of medical professionals, including the stress, camaraderie, and occasional absurdity of hospital life. The use of voice-over narration in Scrubs is similar to Nurse Jackie's introspective moments.

Fact: Scrubs was initially rejected by several networks before being picked up by NBC. The show's creator, Bill Lawrence, based much of the series on his friend's experiences as a medical intern. The janitor character was originally intended for just one episode but became a series regular due to his popularity.

Description: Similar to Nurse Jackie, Grey's Anatomy is a medical drama that delves into the personal and professional lives of healthcare workers. Both shows explore the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals, blending drama with moments of dark humor. The series also shares a focus on strong, complex female leads navigating the challenges of their careers and personal lives.

Fact: Grey's Anatomy is one of the longest-running medical dramas in television history. The show has spawned several spin-offs, including Private Practice and Station

Description: Royal Pains shares with Nurse Jackie a focus on medical professionals working outside traditional hospital settings. While Nurse Jackie deals with addiction in an urban hospital, Royal Pains features a 'concierge doctor' serving the wealthy in the Hamptons. Both shows blend medical drama with personal storylines and feature protagonists with unconventional approaches to medicine.

Fact: Royal Pains was USA Network's most-watched series premiere at the time of its debut. The show was inspired by the real-life phenomenon of concierge medicine. Many of the medical cases were based on actual rare conditions.

Description: Code Black, like Nurse Jackie, offers a gritty, realistic portrayal of emergency medicine. Both shows highlight the intense pressure and emotional toll of working in an understaffed, overburdened hospital. The fast-paced storytelling and focus on medical ethics are common elements, though Code Black takes a more ensemble approach compared to Nurse Jackie's single-protagonist focus.

Fact: Code Black is based on the documentary of the same name about LA County Hospital's emergency room. The term 'code black' refers to a hospital's emergency state when patient volume exceeds resources. Marcia Gay Harden won a Critics' Choice Award for her role in the series.

Description: Like Nurse Jackie, The Good Doctor focuses on a medical professional with personal challenges that affect their work. While Nurse Jackie deals with addiction, The Good Doctor centers on a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. Both shows explore how personal struggles intersect with professional excellence in the medical field.

Fact: The Good Doctor is based on a South Korean series of the same name. Freddie Highmore, who plays the lead role, also serves as a producer and occasionally writes episodes. The show has been praised by autism advocacy groups for its portrayal of autism spectrum disorder.

Description: The Resident shares with Nurse Jackie a critical look at the healthcare system, exposing its flaws and corruption. Both shows feature morally complex protagonists who challenge authority and hospital politics. The medical cases often serve as metaphors for larger systemic issues, and both series don't shy away from showing the darker side of medicine.

Fact: The Resident was co-created by Amy Holden Jones, who also worked on ER. The show's medical consultants include real-life doctors and nurses. Several storylines were inspired by actual medical malpractice cases.

Description: New Amsterdam, like Nurse Jackie, features a protagonist who challenges the status quo of the medical system. Both shows explore themes of healthcare reform and the personal costs of dedicating one's life to medicine. The idealistic yet flawed main character in New Amsterdam shares similarities with Jackie's complex personality.

Fact: New Amsterdam is loosely based on the book 'Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital' by Eric Manheimer. The show's title refers to the original name of New York City when it was a Dutch colony. The series was initially developed for CBS before moving to NBC.

Description: As a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice shares many similarities with Nurse Jackie, particularly in its focus on the personal lives of medical professionals. Both shows explore complex relationships and ethical dilemmas in medicine, often blurring the lines between professional and personal boundaries. The ensemble cast and mix of drama with lighter moments are common elements.

Fact: Private Practice was created by Shonda Rhimes as a vehicle for Grey's Anatomy character Addison Montgomery. The show was originally titled 'The Cure' during development. Several Grey's Anatomy characters made crossover appearances on the show.

Description: Chicago Med shares with Nurse Jackie a focus on the interconnected lives of hospital staff, blending medical cases with personal drama. Both shows explore ethical dilemmas in medicine and feature strong ensemble casts. The realistic portrayal of hospital politics and the emotional toll of medical work are common themes.

Fact: Chicago Med is part of Dick Wolf's Chicago franchise, which includes Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. The show films many exterior shots at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Several characters from Chicago Med crossover with other shows in the franchise.