The Resident (2018 TV Series Review)
- Jan 30
- 5 min read
Since its debut in 2018, The Resident series has carved out a unique niche in the crowded landscape of the medical drama genre. Unlike traditional procedurals that often romanticize the medical profession, this show, led by Matt Czuchry, offers a gritty and often critical perspective on the American healthcare system. Set within the high-stakes environment of the fictional Chastain Memorial Hospital (alternatively known as Chastain Park Memorial Hospital), the series highlights the daily personal and professional challenges faced by a team of dedicated yet flawed doctors. Over its six-season run, it tackled complex themes such as medical malpractice, corporate greed, and the ethical dilemmas of "cowboy medicine".
Series Profile
• Director Name: Phillip Noyce (Directed the first two episodes)
• First Release Date: January 21, 2018
• Number of Seasons: 6
• Rating: 7.8/10 (IMDb)
• Country of Origin: United States
• Original Release Network: Fox
• Distribution: 20th Television, Disney+, Hulu, Star World
• Original Release Network: Fox
Synopsis and Plot
The Resident series focuses on the lives and duties of staff members at Chastain Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The narrative primarily follows Conrad Hawkins, a third-year resident who isn't afraid to use unconventional techniques learned during his time as a Navy Corpsman. The show maintains a critical eye on the healthcare industry, often showcasing the tension between patient care and hospital profitability. Throughout the series, the plot explores the evolution of relationships, such as the bond between Conrad and intern Devon Pravesh, and the romantic journey between Conrad and nurse practitioner Nic Nevin. Major story arcs also involve the hospital's leadership transitions, including the rise and fall of various CEOs and the constant struggle to keep the facility afloat under corporate entities like Red Rock Mountain Medical.
Critics’ Response and Accolades
Reception for The Resident series was notably mixed among professional critics. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 59% for the first season, with a consensus that the show drifted between "medical melodrama and hospital horror". Metacritic indicated "mixed or average reviews" with a score of 54. While TVLine praised the show as a "cure for medical-show fatigue" and gave it a B+ for its look at "thorny ethical issues," USA Today was more critical, stating that the show "can't save itself." Interestingly, the show was unpopular with some in the medical profession who labeled it "grossly unrealistic".
In terms of accolades, the series received several nominations, including Choice Breakout TV Show at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards and Choice Drama TV Show in 2019. Young actor Evan Whitten also received a nomination for a Young Artist Award for his guest role.
Cast and Characters
• Matt Czuchry — Dr. Conrad Theodore Hawkins
• Emily VanCamp — Nicolette "Nic" Nevin
• Manish Dayal — Dr. Devon Pravesh
• Shaunette Renée Wilson — Dr. Mina Okafor
• Bruce Greenwood — Dr. Randolph Bell
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner — Dr. AJ "The Raptor" Austin
• Jane Leeves — Dr. Kit Voss
• Morris Chestnut — Dr. Barrett Cain
• Jessica Lucas — Dr. Billie Sutton
• Anuja Joshi — Dr. Leela Devi
Main Characters Description
• Dr. Conrad Hawkins: A brilliant, unconventional resident and former Navy Corpsman who often practices "cowboy medicine" while managing PTSD.
• Nic Nevin: A compassionate nurse practitioner and Conrad’s primary love interest; she frequently goes the extra mile for her patients and serves as the moral compass of the hospital.
• Dr. Devon Pravesh: Initially an idealistic Harvard graduate, he becomes an excellent doctor under Conrad's mentorship and eventually focuses on clinical trials.
• Dr. Randolph Bell: The Chief of Surgery and later CEO, who begins as a foil to Conrad but evolves into a reform-minded leader and Kit Voss's husband.
• Dr. Mina Okafor: A highly intelligent Nigerian surgical resident who eventually returns to her home country to avoid deportation.
Production
The Resident series was originally developed by Showtime under the title The City in 2016, described then as a "dark medical drama". However, it was never produced there and was eventually purchased by Fox in 2017. The show utilized a single-camera setup and was primarily filmed in and around Atlanta, Georgia. Notably, the High Museum of Art in midtown Atlanta served as the exterior and occasional interior for the fictional Chastain Memorial Hospital. Production was significantly interrupted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the early conclusion of the third season.
Seasons
• Season 1: 14 episodes; Released Jan 21, 2018 – May 14, 2018. The season introduced the staff at Chastain and the corruption of Dr. Lane Hunter.
• Season 2: 23 episodes; Released Sept 24, 2018 – May 6, 2019. This season explored the fraudulent medical device company Quovadis.
• Season 3: 20 episodes; Released Sept 24, 2019 – April 7, 2020. The plot focused on the acquisition of the hospital by Red Rock Mountain Medical.
• Season 4: 14 episodes; Released Jan 12, 2021 – May 18, 2021. This season dealt with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition of Chastain to a public hospital.
• Season 5: 23 episodes; Released Sept 21, 2021 – May 17, 2022. It featured a three-year time jump following the tragic death of Nic Nevin.
• Season 6: 13 episodes; Released Sept 20, 2022 – Jan 17, 2023. The final season saw the hospital battling budget cuts from a hostile governor.
Spin-offs and Adaptations
Based on the provided sources, there are no spin-offs or direct adaptations of The Resident series. The show concluded its narrative with the series finale in January 2023.
Ratings and Review
Throughout its run, The Resident series experienced fluctuating viewership. The show peaked in its second season with an average of 7.63 million viewers. However, by the final season, the average viewership had declined to approximately 4.40 million viewers. Despite the decline, the show remained a staple of Fox's lineup for half a decade. Reviewers often compared it to ABC's The Good Doctor, though many found The Resident to be a darker, more cynical take on the genre. While critics were divided, audiences generally found the show engaging, as reflected by its 7.8/10 IMDb rating.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ The Resident series is a prominent medical drama that ran for 107 episodes across six seasons on Fox.
🗝️ Starring Matt Czuchry, the series is noted for its critical portrayal of the healthcare industry and its setting at Chastain Memorial Hospital.
🗝️ The show originated as a Showtime project titled The City before being developed by Fox and filmed in Atlanta, Georgia.
🗝️ Despite mixed critical reviews and criticism regarding medical realism, the show was a consistent performer in ratings and received multiple Teen Choice Award nominations.
🗝️ The series officially ended in 2023 after Fox announced its cancellation.
Keywords: The Resident TV series
The Resident TV series
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