The Night Shift (TV series)

Synopsis

The series centers on the overnight shift at San Antonio Memorial Hospital, where three doctors have military connections. Dr. Topher Zia is also a former army doctor, while Dr. Drew Alister is a gay Army doctor in the reserves who initially hides his sexual orientation. Dr. Krista Bell-Hart is a surgical resident, and Dr. Paul Cummings works to emerge from his father's shadow. The shift's lone psychiatrist, Dr. Landry de la Cruz, works briefly on the night shift.

Jordan initially dates Scott Clemmens, but after a hostage situation where Topher is shot, Scott breaks up with Jordan when he realizes she still has feelings for TC. Ragosa, after a cancer scare, quits his administrator job to pursue becoming a doctor.

TC and Jordan's relationship escalates, Topher becomes permanent Head of Night Shift, and Drew spirals after his boyfriend ends their relationship. Later, TC and Topher go to Afghanistan, Jordan suffers a stroke from pregnancy complications, and Ragosa passes his boards. TC and Jordan break up after she miscarries, Drew and his boyfriend marry, and Ragosa moves to Dallas.

Cast and characters

Eoin Macken portrays Dr. Thomas Charles 'TC' Callahan, a former Army doctor and Ranger from Baltimore who witnessed his brother Thad's death in Afghanistan and donated his heart to a fellow soldier. After discharge, he has PTSD and his relationship with Jordan ends; his recklessness and sports betting cause trouble, and he secretly dates Landry. In season two, he rekindles with Jordan but they break up after her miscarriage. In season three, he dates Jessica Sanders until learning of her role in the hospital's sale, then leaves on a humanitarian mission to Syria.

Jill Flint plays Dr. Jordan Alexander, TC's girlfriend who becomes Head of the ER night shift, dates Scott Clemmens, but still has feelings for TC. She renounces the position and rekindles with TC, but they break up after her miscarriage; in season four, she becomes Head again. Ken Leung plays Dr. Christopher 'Topher' Zia (seasons 1–3), a former army doctor and Ranger and TC's friend, married with a daughter who later has twin daughters. He becomes head of the ER night shift in season two, but is fired by the new owner for giving high-priced treatments to those who cannot pay.

In season four, it is revealed that Topher and his oldest daughter died in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Brendan Fehr plays Dr. Andrew 'Drew' Alister, an army doctor in the reserves and chief resident who hides his homosexuality until he outs himself when his boyfriend Rick has an accident. After a fight and temporary breakup, Drew and Rick marry in season two. Drew returns to active service but his actions to save a 15-year-old child bride end his deployment early; he and Rick later adopt an orphan girl, Brianna.

Production

The series first appeared on NBC's development slate in October 2011, but the network did not order a pilot. In August 2012, NBC revisited the script, then titled The Last Stand, and placed a pilot order on October 8, 2012, under the new name After Hours. The pilot was directed by Pierre Morel and written by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah. On April 18, 2013, NBC ordered four additional scripts under the final title The Night Shift, and on May 10, 2013, officially ordered the series.

Casting began in October 2012: Eoin Macken was first cast as TC Callahan, followed by Freddy Rodriguez as Michael Ragosa, Ken Leung as Topher, and Jeananne Goossen as Krista. Robert Bailey Jr. joined as Paul Cummings, Jill Flint as Jordan Alexander, and Daniella Alonso as Dr. Landry de la Cruz. Production on season one began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in late August 2013 and ended in mid-November. Season two production started on November 10, 2014; season three took place from February to June 2016; and filming for season four began in April 2017.

Reception

Brian Lowry of Variety described the show as 'an awfully weak blip creatively speaking.' David Hinckley of the New York Daily News gave it three out of five stars. On Rotten Tomatoes, season one holds a 17% approval rating based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 4.18/10 and a consensus calling it 'calculated and cliche-ridden.' On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100 based on 16 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews.