Pure Genius

Cast and characters

Augustus Prew portrays James Bell, a Silicon Valley tech billionaire who opens Bunker Hill, initially concealing that the hospital was founded to develop treatments for his impending hereditary mental disorder. Dermot Mulroney plays Dr. Walter Wallace, a triple board-certified surgeon and the hospital's Chief of Staff. Odette Annable appears as Dr. Zoe Brockett, double board-certified in Paediatrics and Internal Medicine. Reshma Shetty plays neurosurgeon Dr. Talaikha Channarayapatra.

Brenda Song is Angie Cheng, the Chief Biomedical Engineer. Aaron Jennings portrays Dr. Malik Verlaine, head of the Ehub for remote patient monitoring. Ward Horton plays Dr. Scott Strauss, an Ivy League–educated neurologist and Catholic priest.

Production

In January 2016, CBS ordered a pilot under the title Bunker Hill, written by Jason Katims, who was also an executive producer alongside Sarah Watson, David Semel, and Michelle Lee. Production companies included True Jack Productions, CBS Television Studios, and Universal Television. The series was ordered at the CBS upfronts in 2016 for the 2016–17 schedule and officially picked up on May 13, 2016. It was announced to premiere on October 27, 2016, airing Thursdays at 10:00 P.M. On August 10, 2016, the title changed from Bunker Hill to Pure Genius.

In November 2016, CBS decided not to order more than the 13 episodes commissioned; production wrapped on December 15, 2016. The show was cancelled on May 17, 2017. Casting announcements in February 2016 included Brenda Song, Dermot Mulroney, Reshma Shetty, and Ward Horton; Aaron Jennings and Odette Annable joined in March 2016.

Reception

Pure Genius received generally negative reviews from television critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 26% rating based on 23 critics, with the consensus stating the show is "weighed down by stereotypical doctor drama trappings." Metacritic reported a score of 43 out of 100 from 19 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews. Willa Paskin of Slate described the series as "idiotic tech propaganda" with implausible science and a contemptuous CEO character.

Did You Know?

• James Bell's hospital was founded to develop treatments for his impending hereditary mental disorder, a secret he originally kept.
• Dr. Walter Wallace is a triple board-certified surgeon and Bunker Hill's Chief of Staff.