In 2023, after a successful six-season run on Fox, the beloved medical drama The Resident faced an unexpected cancellation. Premiering in 2018, the series quickly developed a dedicated fanbase, but its journey came to an abrupt halt. Leading up to the cancellation, there was significant speculation surrounding the show’s future, with The Resident consistently ranking as a top contender for shows viewers wished to see renewed. Although those hopes did not materialize at the time, discussions about the show’s potential revival have surged once again.
Two years following its cancellation, co-creator Amy Holden Jones and executive producer Andrew Chapman engaged in a revealing conversation about the possibilities that could have unfolded had the show continued into a seventh season. During their interview with TV Insider, Jones expressed that if a revival were to occur, a significant portion of the original cast is eager to don their scrubs once more, stating,
“I think we would love — and everybody involved would love — to just go back into the show. Unlike some of these spin-offs, a lot of the cast would come and so we could return to the same world if we wanted to.”
Exploring Exciting Spin-Off Opportunities for ‘The Resident’
Clearly, a revival is not the sole avenue through which the passionate fanbase of The Resident could reconnect with its intriguing universe, especially as spin-offs of popular shows continue to grow in frequency. When it comes to The Resident, both Jones and Chapman have a clear vision for the direction a potential spin-off could take.
Both creatives agree that Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who portrayed the talented surgeon AJ Austin, would serve as a fantastic centerpiece around which a new series could revolve. “Imagining him as the lead physician, we could introduce an entirely new cast and present a fresh set of challenges for him,” Jones elaborated, noting, “Perhaps he could relocate to a different city, striving for a less demanding role to spend more time with his children, though finding that balance is proving difficult,” she added with a chuckle.
“I envisioned him as a rural doctor, inspired by my previous work on an adaptation of a book called Island Practice, where a local doctor in Nantucket doubles as a surgeon, becoming the go-to medical professional for his community. This concept would have been fascinating for Malcolm, and I truly believe he would be the ideal choice for the spin-off. Or perhaps characters like Kit [Jane Leeves] and Bell [Bruce Greenwood] could also lead a spin-off. They have great potential too.”
The desire to resurrect The Resident has lingered for quite some time, and both Jones and Chapman recognize the immense effort fans have put into advocating for its return. Several cast members from the medical drama, including Manish Dayal, who portrayed Dr. Devon Pradesh from the pilot through to the finale, along with Warner, have expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of reprising their roles.
Jones acknowledges that while it may take time, they are prepared to deliver if The Resident makes a comeback, saying, “It’s challenging to determine the necessary steps to push it through,” Jones pointed out. “However, who knows? It took a considerable amount of time for shows like Suits to return, so anything is possible.” She continued, “The reality is, we could figure something out, and I wish I could convey to everyone that not every project can be so easily resolved. Occasionally, a reboot occurs that leaves you wondering, why did they choose that direction? It’s not what made the original show appealing. But rest assured, we would make it work.”
Stream all six seasons of The Resident now available on Netflix and experience the captivating journey once again.
Discover the Intriguing World of The Resident
- Release Date
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2018 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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FOX
- Showrunner
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Andrew Chapman
- Writers
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Amy Holden Jones, Hayley Schore
Source: TV Insider, TV Fanatic
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