Code Black (TV series)

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Code Black
Code Black TV series title.png
GenreMedical drama
Created byMichael Seitzman
Starring
Composer(s)Clinton Shorter
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes34 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Scott Printz
  • Steve Sassen
Running time40–44 minutes
Production company(s)
DistributorDisney–ABC Domestic Television
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture format1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original releaseSeptember 30, 2015 – present
External links
Website
Code Black is an American medical drama television series created by Michael Seitzman which premiered on CBS on September 30, 2015.[1] It takes place in an overcrowded and understaffed emergency room in Los Angeles, California, and is based on a documentary by Ryan McGarry. On May 16, 2016, the show was renewed for a 13-episode second season which premiered on September 28, 2016.[2] On November 14, 2016, CBS added three more episodes to bring the season two total to 16.[3]
The series was renewed for a third season on May 14, 2017, which will premiere on May 2, 2018.[4][5]

Plot[edit]

The show centers on the fictional Angels Memorial Hospital, where four first-year residents and their colleagues must tend to patients in an understaffed, busy emergency room that lacks sufficient resources.

Cast and characters[edit]

Main cast[edit]

  • Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Leanne Rorish, an ER attending physician, known to current and former Residents as "Daddy". Her husband and two children were killed after their car was hit by a drunk driver; this sometimes influences her medical decisions. Originally the ER's Residency Director, Leanne is promoted to Director of Emergency Medicine following the death of Gina Perello, though is replaced in this capacity by Dr Campbell in "Second Year". In "Fallen Angels," Leanne is shown to have taken guardianship of a young orphan.
  • Raza Jaffrey as Dr. Neal Hudson, an ER attending physician. A British-Indian former surgeon, his approach is quieter and more people-oriented. He connected with Christa during her first year of residency. In "Hail Mary", Neal becomes a surgical attending, and is once again assigned to the ER (season 1).[6]
  • Bonnie Somerville as Dr. Christa Lorenson, a mature first-year resident. She was married with a son who died of brain cancer. Her experience and her divorce motivated her to attend medical school (season 1).[6]
  • Melanie Chandra as Dr. Malaya Pineda, a second-year resident. She went to medical school and did her internship at Angels Memorial, and is therefore more familiar with the ER. She is a lesbian, who was once involved with a resident when she was a medical student (seasons 1-2).
  • William Allen Young as Dr. Rollie Guthrie, an ER attending physician with a very nurturing style; he takes Angus under his wing in his first days in the ER. Guthrie's wife killed herself, straining his relationship with his son, a surgeon. He also had a daughter who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while Guthrie tried to save his son from a similar fate. During season 2, Guthrie is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and undergoes corrective neurological surgery to delay the onset of symptoms.
  • Harry Ford as Dr. Angus Leighton, a second-year resident. His father is on the hospital board, and he feels overshadowed by that and by his older brother, a former resident, but slowly grows in confidence.
  • Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dr. Mario Savetti, a second-year resident. He grew up poor and sees emergency medicine as his only way out. He was previously a bartender.
  • Luis Guzmán as Jesse Salander, known as "Momma". A senior nurse who manages the residents, Jesse is tough on the outside but caring and supportive of the students. He and Rorish have a long-term, close friendship.
  • Boris Kodjoe as Dr. Will Campbell, Chief of Surgery. A highly regarded surgeon who becomes the new Chief of the ER in season 2 in order to save costs, causing strife between him and Leanne. Campbell has a disabled daughter (season 2-; recurring previously).
  • Jillian Murray as Dr. Heather Pinkney, a surgical resident who becomes involved with Mario. He quickly ends it when he hears about her side relationship with Dr. Campbell. She gets in further trouble when it's revealed she's providing Angus with drugs. When confronted by Campbell, she threatens to turn their past relationship into a sexual harassment case. While treating a patient with unknown deadly virus, she's bitten by the patient and succumbs to the illness (season 2; recurring previously).
  • Rob Lowe as Dr. Ethan Willis, a U.S. Army colonel attached to the prestigious Combat Casualty Care research program. He joins the ER staff at Angels Memorial for the remainder of his enlistment after the Army pulls him from the battlefield in Afghanistan. Willis brings with him revolutionary military medical techniques, and builds a strong friendship with Dr Leanne Rorish (season 2-).
  • Moon Bloodgood as Rox Valenzuela, a Los Angeles paramedic. Rox is Ethan's ride-along partner (season 3-).

Recurring cast[edit]

Season 1[edit]

  • Jeff Hephner as Dr. Ed Harbert, Angels Memorial Hospital CEO and Gina's boyfriend. He and Leanne clash frequently, but their mutual respect is obvious (season 1-).
  • Angela Relucio as Risa Park, a nurse in the Emergency Department (season 1-).
  • Ellia English as Isabel Mendez, a nurse in the Emergency Department (season 1-).
  • Emily Nelson as Hannah Reynolds, a nurse in the Emergency Department (season 1-)
  • Cress Williams as Dr. Cole Guthrie, a surgeon and Rollie's son. His relationship with his father is strained by his mother's suicide (seasons 1-2).
  • Tommy Dewey as Dr. Mike Leighton, Angus' older brother, and a recently hired ER attending physician. He becomes the Director of the Residency Program following Rorish's promotion (seasons 1-2).
  • Kevin Dunn as Dr. Mark Taylor, the Director of the Emergency Department at Angels Memorial, who is on leave during an investigation into potential mismanagement (season 1).
  • Shiri Appleby as Dr. Carla Niven, a former resident at Angels Memorial, Malaya's ex-girlfriend. She is diagnosed with leukemia while pregnant and dies shortly after delivering the baby (season 1).
  • Christina Vidal as Dr. Gina Perello, the replacement Director of the Emergency Department at Angels Memorial, who takes over when Dr. Taylor is put on leave. She was murdered by Malaya's stalker, Gordon Heshman, in "Diagnosis of Exclusion" (season 1).
  • Gabrielle Carteris as Amy Wolowitz, R.N., a nurse in the Emergency Department (season 1).
  • Meagan Good as Dr. Grace Adams, Neal's ex-girlfriend (season 1).

Season 2[edit]

  • Noah Gray-Cabey as Elliot Dixon, a new first year resident in the ER (season 2-).
  • Emily Tyra as Noa Kean, an ER resident who embarks upon a relationship with Mario (season 2-).
  • Nafessa Williams as Charlotte Piel, a new first year resident in the ER. She was shot and killed in the waiting room while treating patients, in "Angels and Demons". She was a former popular actress (season 2).
  • Kathleen Rose Perkins as Dr. Amanda Nolan, a psychiatrist at the hospital (season 2).

Season 3[edit]

  • Tyler Perez as Diego, a first year resident (season 3).
  • Chaley Rose as Pepper, a new resident who may not be ready for the busy ER at Angels.

Episodes[edit]

Main article: List of Code Black episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired

118September 30, 2015February 24, 2016

216September 28, 2016February 8, 2017

313May 2, 2018[7]TBA

Production[edit]

On January 27, 2015, the show's pilot episode was green lighted by CBS.[8] On June 4, Brett Mahoney was appointed as executive producer for Code Black.[9]
On October 23, 2015, CBS ordered six new scripts for Code Black.[10] The following month, CBS ordered five additional episodes.[11] CBS renewed the show for a second season in May 2016.[2]

Casting[edit]

On February 17, 2015, Marcia Gay Harden was cast as Christa, a soccer mom who lost her son to cancer.[12] On February 23, Melanie Chandra was cast as Malaya, a doctor beginning her residency.[13] Maggie Grace was cast as Dr. Leanne Rorish, the lead of the show, the following day.[14] On March 3, Luis Guzman was set to star as Jose Santiago, a senior nurse.[15] The character's name was later changed to Jesse Salander. The following day, Raza Jaffrey was cast as Neal,[16] and Ben Hollingsworth was set to star as Mario, a new resident.[17] When Grace left the show before filming began,[18] the role of Leanne was then given to Harden,[19] and Bonnie Somerville was cast in Harden's role as Christa.[19]
At the end of season 1, Somerville and Jaffrey departed the main cast, and recurring actors Jillian Murray and Boris Kodjoe joined the main cast, reprising their roles of Dr. Heather Pickney and Dr. Will Campbell respectively.[20] Rob Lowe also joined the main cast as Colonel Ethan Willis, a Combat Casualty Care doctor assigned to Angels as part of a Marine Corps training program.[21] In 2017, Moon Bloodgood was cast in the recurring role of paramedic Rox Valenzuela, and was subsequently promoted to series regular.[22]Bloodgood's casting followed the departures of both Chandra[23] and Murray.[24]

Reception[edit]

Code Black has received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes the series has a rating of 54%, based on 39 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "While not reinventing the stethoscope, Code Black is an above-average medical drama, with appropriately theatrical storylines that make up for sometimes cheesy dialogue."[25] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 53 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[26]
At the 2016 Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Harden won the Best Actress in a TV Series Golden Nymph Award,[27] while Code Black was nominated for Best TV Series Drama.[28]

Ratings[edit]

SeasonTimeslot (ET)EpisodesPremieredEndedTV seasonRankViewers
(in millions,
including DVR)
DateViewers
(in millions)		DateViewers
(in millions)
1Wednesday 10:00 pm18September 30, 20158.58[29]February 24, 20166.91[30]2015–163410.17[31]
216[3]September 28, 20166.37[32]February 8, 20176.07[33]2016–17319.23[34]
313May 2, 2018


2017–18


References[edit]

  1. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 13, 2015). "CBS Fall 2015 Schedule: 'Supergirl' Opens Monday, 'Life In Pieces' Follows 'Big Bang'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  2. ^ Jump up to:a b Ausiello, Michael (May 16, 2016). "CBS Renews Code Black, Odd Couple and 2 Other Bubble Shows". TVLine. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  3. ^ Jump up to:a b Andreeva, Nellie (November 14, 2016). "CBS Orders More Episodes Of 'Man With A Plan', 'The Great Indoors' & 'Code Black'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  4. Jump up^ Stanhope, Kate; O'Connell, Michael (May 14, 2017). "CBS's 'Code Black' Renewed for Third Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  5. Jump up^ Pedersen, Erik (January 11, 2018). "CBS Sets Midseason Premiere Dates For 'Elementary' & 'Code Black'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  6. ^ Jump up to:a b Cavassuto, Maria (June 3, 2016). "TV News Roundup: 'Code Black' Casting Shuffle Promotes One and Loses Two". variety.com. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  7. Jump up^ Pedersen, Erik (January 11, 2018). "CBS Sets Midseason Premiere Dates For 'Elementary' & 'Code Black'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  8. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2015). "'Code Black' Medical Drama From Michael Seitzman, Divorced-Dad Comedy Get CBS Pilot Orders". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  9. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 4, 2015). "Brett Mahoney Inks CBS Studios Deal, Joins 'Code Black' As Executive Producer". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  10. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 23, 2015). "'Limitless' Gets Full-Season Order From CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  11. Jump up^ Abrams, Natalie (November 20, 2015). "CBS orders more Code Black". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  12. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 17, 2015). "Marcia Gay Harden Joins CBS Medical Drama Pilot 'Code Black'". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  13. Jump up^ Petski, Denise (February 23, 2015). "Melanie Kannokada Joins 'Code Black'; Andrea Anders In 'How We Live'". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  14. Jump up^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 24, 2015). "'Lost's' Maggie Grace to Topline CBS Medical Drama 'Code Black'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  15. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2015). "Luis Guzman To Star In CBS' 'Code Black'; Cody Horn In ABC's 'Broad Squad'". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  16. Jump up^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 4, 2015). "'Homeland's Raza Jaffrey To Co-Star In CBS Pilot 'Code Black'". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  17. Jump up^ Petski, Denise (March 5, 2015). "Charity Wakefield To Star In 'Endgame'; Ben Hollingsworth Joins 'Code Black'". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  18. Jump up^ Ausiello, Michael (March 9, 2015). "Lost Vet Maggie Grace Exits CBS' Medical Drama Pilot Code Black". TVLine. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  19. ^ Jump up to:a b Andreeva, Nellie (March 13, 2015). "Marcia Gay Harden Takes Over The Lead In 'Code Black', Bonnie Somerville Cast". Deadline. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  20. Jump up^ http://deadline.com/2016/06/code-black-bonnie-somerville-raza-jaffrey-exit-creative-changes-1201767279/
  21. Jump up^ http://deadline.com/2016/07/rob-lowe-cast-code-black-season-2-series-regular-1201782874/
  22. Jump up^ http://tvline.com/2017/08/16/code-black-moon-bloodgood-season-3-cast-cbs/
  23. Jump up^ http://tvline.com/2017/07/19/code-black-season-3-melanie-chandra-leaving-malaya-pineda/
  24. Jump up^ http://tvline.com/2017/02/08/code-black-recap-season-2-finale-leanne-ariel-virus/
  25. Jump up^ "Code Black (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 3,2015.
  26. Jump up^ "Code Black (2015): Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  27. Jump up^ Richford, Rhonda (June 17, 2016). "Marcia Gay Harden Celebrates Acting Win for 'Code Black' at Monte Carlo TV Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  28. Jump up^ "Golden Nymph Awards Laureates & Nominees". Monaco Mediax. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  29. Jump up^ Dixon, Dani (October 1, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire', 'Survivor', 'Modern Family' & 'Rosewood' Adjusted Up; 'Nashville' & 'Code Black' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  30. Jump up^ Porter, Rick (March 14, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' has biggest week 23 gain, 'Jane the Virgin' and 3 others double". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  31. Jump up^ "Full 2015–16 TV Season Series Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  32. Jump up^ Porter, Rick (September 29, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire,' 'Lethal Weapon,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'SVU' & 'Blindspot' all adjust up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  33. Jump up^ Porter, Rick (February 9, 2017). "'Goldbergs,' 'Modern Family,' 'Blindspot' adjust up, 'Black-ish' adjusts down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  34. Jump up^ "Final 2016-17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

External links[edit]