Medical dramas often feature memorable characters with compelling arcs. Some of the best medical series are centered around characters who confront the realities of working in healthcare, while managing their own personal struggles. Medical shows present characters who often face difficult patient situations, and have to sometimes take heroic measures to do the right thing to alleviate suffering.
The best characters in medical dramas face personal and professional challenges, and find ways to do the best they can for their patients. Some characters are the protagonists of their respective series, often giving them a longer time to develop. Other characters may not be the main characters in their stories, but they’re no less crucial to their series as they make themselves stand out among the rest.
10. Sister Julienne – ‘Call the Midwife’
Played by Jenny Agutter
Call the Midwife follows a group of nurses and midwives who serve the communities in the East End of London from the 1950s to the 1970s. The series is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, a nurse who worked with Anglican sisters. While the series has featured many characters since it first aired in 2012, Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) has remained a constant. As the nurse-in-charge of Nonnatus House, she has a unique perspective.
Sister Julienne is one of the most notable characters featured in a medical series because she is such a grounding influence on the nurses and midwives. Her experience and leadership have been valuable to her patients and colleagues alike. Sister Julienne embodies the best of Call the Midwife by always letting her compassion shine through.
9. Nic Nevin – ‘The Resident’
Played by Emily VanCamp
The Resident follows the staff at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. The series introduces doctors, nurses, and other allied medical staff who often face bureaucratic hurdles when trying to care for their patients. Emily VanCamp plays Nic Nevin, a nurse practitioner who never stops at anything to provide the best care possible. She marries Conrad (Matt Czuchry), and is instrumental in bringing about a lot of changes that the hospital needs.
Nic Nevin is one of the most endearing characters in a medical series because her empathy for her patients is the center of everything she does. While other characters in other series prioritize patient care like Nic does, Nic stands out because she works tirelessly for the systemic change that her patients and colleagues so desperately need. The fact that she never gives up on anyone makes her one of the most lovable characters in any medical show.
8. Perry Cox – ‘Scrubs’
Played by John C. McGinley
Scrubs follows the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital. The series mainly focuses on John “JD” Dorian (Zach Braff) and his perspectives on being a young intern and building his medical career. Every character introduced in the series is mostly shown in relation to JD. Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley) is an attending physician, who JD considers a mentor, even if Cox consistently demeans him and mocks his abilities.
Although Dr. Cox isn’t technically the focus of the series, he is still one of the most notable characters in a medical show. While on the surface he is a terrible supervisor, he effectively molds JD into the doctor he needs to be. Underneath his gruff and sarcastic exterior, he cares deeply about his patients and about his colleagues. Scrubs is about JD’s relationships, and Dr. Cox provides the necessary counterbalance to JD’s often chaotic energy.
7. Carol Hathaway – ‘ER’
Played by Julianna Margulies
ER, one of the longest-running medical dramas, features a massive cast of characters, and is centered around the medical staff of Cook County General Hospital in Chicago. Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) is introduced at the beginning of the series as a registered nurse. The early seasons follow Carol’s struggles with her mental health, her advancing career in nursing leadership, and her relationship with Doug (George Clooney).
During her tenure on ER, Carol Hathaway establishes herself as one of the series’ most compelling characters. She is a stabilizing presence in the chaotic emergency department, and is consistently reliable to both her colleagues and patients. Carol is more than an essential member of her team. The way she navigates her personal and professional makes her one of the most endearing characters in any medical TV show.
6. Dr. Gregory House – ‘House’
Played by Hugh Laurie
House follows Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and his team of diagnosticians who focus on treating complicated patient cases. House is abrasive, unkind, and disrespectful to most people he encounters, including his patients and colleagues. However, underneath this gruff exterior, he is clearly willing to stop at nothing to get his patients the help they need. The series follows House and his team as they take an unorthodox approach to providing patient care.
Gregory House is one of the most memorable characters in any medical drama because he is so complex. His unique approach to patient care makes him stand out. Watching him take sometimes borderline illegal actions to figure out exactly what is wrong with patients paints a utopian vision of what healthcare could look like. Gregory House is a welcome antidote to the real-life experiences of many patients who struggle to have their experiences validated.
5. Dr. Amelia Shepard – ‘Private Practice’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Played by Caterina Scorsone
Dr. Amelia Shepard (Caterina Scorsone) was first introduced in Private Practice before becoming a regular fixture on Grey’s Anatomy. When she’s first introduced, she struggles with substance abuse disorder and has to manage significant challenges in her professional and personal life. Throughout her time in both series, she rebuilt her life, and fearlessly confronts her trauma in a way that makes her a stronger person and a better surgeon.
Ameilia is such a notable character in a medical show because her character arc is one of the most heartwarming to watch. Her character is a compassionate look at the realities faced by those living with substance use disorders, and the hope that can be found in recovery. Amelia’s tireless commitment to her recovery so that she can be the best version of herself is what makes her stand out in series that are both filled with characters worth investing in.
4. Helen Sharpe – ‘New Amsterdam’
Played by Freema Agyeman
New Amsterdam is based on Eric Manheimer’s memoir “Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital”. The series follows Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold), the medical director of New Amsterdam Hospital. Dr. Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) is the head of the hospital’s oncology department. After being introduced as a doctor focused primarily on television appearances, she becomes the backbone of the hospital and a fierce advocate for her patients.
Helen Sharpe is the heart and soul of New Amsterdam, and the series only works with her in it. Her development from someone who struggled to connect with real patients to someone who makes a difference in the lives of her patients and their families. Sharpe also stands out as a character because she is keenly aware of the systemic challenges her patients face, and uses her position of leadership to advocate for the changes they need.
3. Hawkeye Pierce – ‘M*A*S*H’
Played by Alan Alda
M*A*S*H follows the staff at an American mobile surgical unit during the Korean War. The series is primarily told through the perspective of Dr. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (Alan Alda), one of the team’s most talented surgeons. M*A*S*H follows Hawkeye as he tries to maintain his sense of humor while witnessing unimaginable horror play out around him. The series highlights Hawkeye’s journey from someone trying to distract himself from the horrors of war to someone who can’t hide how much he’s been struggling.
Hawkeye is one of the most notable characters in any medical series because he is able to balance comedy and heartbreak so brilliantly. He is one of the most relatable characters presented in a medical drama since he works so hard to maintain his humanity in the face of often horrific circumstances. He cares deeply about doing the most good in the middle of unspeakable violence, which makes him someone who stands out.
2. Christina Yang – ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Played by Sandra Oh
Grey’s Anatomy is known for its massive cast of characters, many of whom have stood out over the years. Dr. Christina Yang (Sandra Oh), however, stands out from the moment she’s introduced. From her days as an intern, her talent as a cardiothoracic surgeon is evident. She also stands out as a brilliant friend to those she loves, especially Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), and will defend her friends with her life.
Christina Yang is such a standout character in a medical drama because she always knew exactly what she wanted. There was never any question of her genius as a surgeon. Watching her become a more well-rounded physician and connect with her patients while using her expertise and talent to advocate for them makes her one of the most endearing characters ever presented on a medical show.
1. John Carter – ‘ER’
Played by Noah Wyle
ER remains one of the most iconic American medical dramas. Set in the fictional County General Hospital in Chicago, this is another example of a series that features a massive ensemble cast. One character who stands out in ER is Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle), who begins the series as a medical student and aspiring surgeon. The series chronicles Carter’s experiences as he becomes an emergency room doctor while managing his own struggles with trauma and substance abuse disorder.
John Carter is the most compelling character introduced in a medical show because he goes through so much in the course of the series. His imperfections and human responses to the tragedies he lives through make him one of the easiest characters to root for. Watching him rebuild his life time and time again shows how strong he is as a character. It’s easy to want nothing but the best for this character who uses his own pain to do right by himself and his loved ones.
