Nurses: Doctors aren't the stars in this hospital series

Many series have been dedicated to the "Gods in White". "Nurses" focuses on nurses and carers for a change.

It takes a lot to stand out as a hospital series from the numerous competitors. "Scrubs" followed the motto "Laughing makes you healthy", while "Grey's Anatomy" drastically increased the dose of drama compared to "Emergency Room". The new series "Nurses", which can be seen on Universal TV from August 17th, brings innovation to the otherwise sterile TV hospital corridors. As the title suggests, for a change, "Nurses" does not focus on the "gods in white", but rather on the secret heroes of every hospital: nurses and carers. The pay TV broadcaster Universal TV shows the ten episodes of the first season every Monday from 9:00 p.m. in double episodes and as a German TV premiere.

The others get fame – that's what it's about

"You won't be rock stars," says head nurse Sinead O'Rourke (Cathy White, known from "Vikings") of St. Mary's Hospital in Toronto, the five young newcomers Grace (Tiera Skovbye), Ashley (Natasha Calis), Keon (Jordan Johnson-Hinds, "Suits"), Nazneen (Sandy Sidhu) and Wolf (Donald MacLean) immediately. As a carer and nurse you work just as hard, if not harder than your doctor colleagues, but in the public spotlight you find the men and women in white coats.

For example, the hospital’s new chief surgeon, Dr. Hamilton (Peter Stebbings). In the operating room he may be a genius, but apart from that he's an egomaniac sociopath. He also shares a common past with Grace and he shamelessly exploits his position of power to achieve his goals and harass others. Not the simplest prerequisites for the five unequal career starters, especially since the worst-case scenario awaits them on the very first day: a terrorist attack with innumerable injuries.

Lifesaver with a long TV history

The tradition of hospital series is almost as old as television itself. As early as the early 1950s, lives were saved in black and white in the US series "City Hospital". "General Hospital" has even been running since 1963 and has so far produced over 14,000 episodes in no less than 58 seasons.

Doctors save lives. But often nurses make it worth living again. It is right and important that "Nurses" now focus on hospital staff who are usually relegated to supporting roles – and it is well received. The series is very popular in its Canadian homeland, and a second season is consequently already in production.

Five (unequal) friends

The series is particularly successful because of its entertaining mix of drama, humor, romance and suspense. At the heart of "Nurses", however, are the five main protagonists – Grace, who is hoping for a fresh start, adrenaline junkie Ashley, former college football star Keon who is breaking new ground after an accident, Nazneen, who is her home for her first job and left family in India and the sensitive wolf who hides a secret from others. It quickly becomes clear to the opposing characters: Only if they bring their common strengths to bear will they be able to survive in the stressful everyday hospital routine.

Speaking of opposites – as is well known, they attract each other. In "Nurses", too, the romance within the hospital and operating rooms is not neglected. It is a relief that not only a young, fresh and ambitious cast was found. No, the characters could all consider a career as a model if the hospital career doesn't work out. So there is plenty of languor potential among the spectators right away – from August 17th, the "Nurses" will be happy to nurse broken hearts in this country too.

Universal TV shows "Nurses" every Monday from 9:00 pm in double episodes and as a German TV premiere.

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