“We’re Doing Medical Cases, But It’s Always About the Person”: ‘THR Presents’ Q&A With the Cast and Showrunner of ‘Brilliant Minds’

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As a long-time fan of television and cinema, I must say that the upcoming series “Brilliant Minds” has truly piqued my interest. The fact that it is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Dr. Oliver Sacks, a man whose ability to touch both patients and readers alike was nothing short of extraordinary, makes this show a must-watch for me.

In this installment of THR Presents Live, the cast and producer of the upcoming NBC show “Brilliant Minds” discussed their medical drama series during a live gathering held by the San Vicente Bungalows in Los Angeles.

The television series introduces Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf, a progressive neurologist at Bronx General Hospital. His unorthodox strategies frequently astonish, and sometimes bewilder, his fellow doctors due to their uniqueness. Michael Grassi, the showrunner and executive producer, drew inspiration for the main character from the renowned physician, neurologist, and author Dr. Oliver Sacks. As Grassi explained, “Dr. Oliver Sacks possessed an extraordinary talent for helping patients express themselves, while at the same time captivating readers with his writings.” When Sacks wrote about his patients, he focused on their individual stories rather than their illnesses. In a similar vein, our show delves into medical cases, but always emphasizes getting to know the patient behind the case.

As a gamer stepping into the shoes of Dr. Wolf, the character of Dr. Sacks towered significantly over my interpretation – an unparalleled role for me. This part offers me the privilege of drawing upon the richness of Sacks’ original work, his interviews, lectures, and TED Talks, while also crafting a unique universe tailored by myself and this talented team.

The actor additionally points out that the real-life Sacks, similar to his character in “Brilliant Minds”, was openly gay. Quinto remarked, “Playing an openly gay character on a prime-time network television series was a privilege. It offers a significant chance for me, and I hope it resonates with people, helping in my own personal journey.

The character portrayed by Tamberla Perry, Dr. Carol Pierce, who serves as the head of psychology at Bronx General Hospital and has a long-standing friendship with Dr. Wolf, was modeled after a real-life historical figure in medicine: Dr. Carol E. Burnett, the first Black graduate from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1960 and a close associate of Sacks. As an activist, Dr. Burnett dedicated her life to fostering diversity in medical education, becoming the first Black assistant dean at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the 1970s to promote diversity there and educate on health disparities. Even today, half a century later, we are still grappling with these issues in healthcare. It’s a privilege for Perry to portray Dr. Pierce and uphold this legacy; she aspires to do it justice through her performance.

Quinto stated: “At the point when they were summoned to their professions, these two individuals found themselves on the periphery of the situation. They encountered obstacles that others in their field typically didn’t face. The mutual struggle they endured and the self-crafted identity they forged as genuine people significantly shapes who they are today. For Tamberla and myself to live during a period where we can openly portray our true selves, be recognized, and acknowledged, I believe there’s a link that feels exceptionally rare and significant, and I think it carries great importance, especially in the current context.

Completing the roster of actors for this panel is Teddy Sears, who previously collaborated with Quinto in the inaugural season of American Horror Story. In Brilliant Minds, they switch roles from a married couple to rivals, where Sears embodies Dr. Josh Nichols, a doctor known for his rigid and analytical demeanor that frequently clashes with Dr. Wolf’s more empathetic style. “I’m ecstatic about this role,” said Sears. “It offers me the opportunity to spar with an esteemed actor, someone I regard as a friend. With writing like this, you’re essentially on autopilot. As an actor, you just have to plug in and perform – and with an actor like Zach, all I need to do is stay open, alert, and fully focused on whatever he delivers, which will always be slightly different from one take to the next, scene to scene, keeping me on my toes.

This edition of THR Presents Live is sponsored by NBC.

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2024-09-19 20:26