ER
ER
Now Showing

ER

"Life. Death. Chaos. It's all in a day's work."

7.8
Yr 1994
Rt 45m
Status Ended
Drama
Your Verdict

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Back
Series Brief

Overview

ER explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

ER is widely regarded as one of the best medical dramas in television history, celebrated for its breakneck pacing and innovative ability to blend high-stakes emergency trauma with grounded, character-driven storytelling. Critics have praised its realistic depiction of a fractured, non-familial workplace, where personality clashes and professional tension defined the series' early success.

While some initial reviews characterized the show as an overwhelming adrenaline rush plagued by conventional soap-opera tropes during lull periods, the series ultimately secured its legacy through its depth and urgency. Though later seasons faced some criticism for falling into predictable routines, the show remains a touchstone of the genre, noted for its strong character development and the raw intensity of its medical scenarios.

“The series is consistently cited as one of the best medical dramas ever produced.”

“It's an extremely well-done TV series and even if you're not a fan of medical dramas, is worth checking out due to the great characters and storylines.”

“For despite ER’s sometimes muddled ... urgency and death’s finality is piercingly felt.”

“The emergency sequences are pure adrenaline rush.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

HBO Max
UK • US
Netflix Standard with Ads
UK • CA
Hulu
US
Show 5 more
Crave Amazon Channel
CA
Netflix
UK • CA
HBO Max Amazon Channel
UK • US
YouTube TV
US
Crave
CA
Why fans love it

Debuting in 1994, this medical drama keeps its focus squarely on the frantic energy of an urban teaching hospital in Chicago. Unlike slower character studies, the show excels at mimicking the physical demands of a high-pressure trauma center. The camera rarely settles, following doctors and staff through hallways as they balance complex surgical operations with the reality of an overburdened emergency room.

Anthony Edwards anchors a rotating ensemble that manages to keep the stakes feeling personal despite the rapid flow of patients. Rather than relying on tidy resolutions, the series prioritizes the technical grit of medicine. The result is a portrait of a workplace where professional exhaustion and individual ambition constantly collide during long shifts.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 15
Longest run 259 eps
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards
as Mark Greene
180 episodes
Goran Višnjić
Goran Višnjić
as Luka Kovač
177 episodes
Maura Tierney
Maura Tierney
as Abby Lockhart
208 episodes
Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston
as Elizabeth Corday
160 episodes
George Clooney
George Clooney
as Doug Ross
108 episodes
Laura Innes
Laura Innes
as Kerry Weaver
259 episodes
Kellie Martin
Kellie Martin
as Lucy Knight
36 episodes
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer
as Greg Pratt
133 episodes
Show 67 more
Sherry Stringfield as Susan Lewis 141 episodes Gloria Reuben as Jeanie Boulet 83 episodes Noah Wyle as John Carter 254 episodes Parminder Nagra as Neela Rasgotra 129 episodes Linda Cardellini as Samantha Taggart 125 episodes Shane West as Ray Barnett 68 episodes Ming-Na Wen as Jing-Mei Chen 118 episodes Scott Grimes as Archie Morris 114 episodes Sharif Atkins as Michael Gallant 60 episodes Paul McCrane as Robert Romano 124 episodes David Lyons as Simon Brenner 22 episodes Michael Michele as Cleo Finch 55 episodes Angela Bassett as Catherine Banfield 22 episodes Erik Palladino as Dave Malucci 47 episodes Maria Bello as Anna Del Amico 25 episodes John Stamos as Tony Gates 66 episodes Eriq La Salle as Peter Benton 171 episodes Dominic Janes as Alex Taggart 22 episodes Julianna Margulies as Carol Hathaway 136 episodes William H. Macy as David Morgenstern 35 episodes Bellina Logan as Kit 26 episodes Troy Evans as Frank Martin 126 episodes Erica Gimpel as Adele Newman 20 episodes Conni Marie Brazelton as Connie Oligario 115 episodes Frances Sternhagen as Millicent Carter 19 episodes Oliver Davis as Alex 21 episodes John Aylward as Donald Anspaugh 72 episodes Jorja Fox as Maggie Doyle 33 episodes Kyle Richards as Dori Kerns 21 episodes Yvette Freeman as Haleh Adams 179 episodes Ellen Crawford as Lydia Wright 116 episodes Glenn Plummer as Timmy Rawlins 17 episodes Hallee Hirsh as Rachel Greene 16 episodes Christine Elise as Harper Tracy 20 episodes Kathleen Wilhoite as Chloe Lewis 22 episodes CCH Pounder as Angela Hicks 27 episodes Pamela Sinha as Amira 17 episodes Lisa Nicole Carson as Carla Reece 29 episodes Chloe Greenfield as Sarah Riley 24 episodes Ron Eldard as Ray Shepard 17 episodes Perry Anzilotti as Perry 21 episodes Vanessa Marquez as Wendy Goldman 27 episodes Deezer D as Malik McGrath 172 episodes Laura Cerón as Chuny Marquez 175 episodes Michael Beach as Al Boulet 18 episodes Gedde Watanabe as Yosh Takata 58 episodes Christine Harnos as Jennifer Greene 27 episodes David Brisbin as Alexander Babcock 19 episodes J.P. Manoux as Dustin Crenshaw 24 episodes Matthew Watkins as Reese Benton 25 episodes Lyn Alicia Henderson as Pamela Olbes 128 episodes Demetrius Navarro as Morales 47 episodes Kristin Minter as Randi Fronczak 70 episodes Sam Anderson as Jack Kayson 18 episodes Khandi Alexander as Jackie Robbins 31 episodes Rick Rossovich as John Taglieri 16 episodes Amy Aquino as Janet Coburn 17 episodes Yvonne Zima as Rachel Greene 27 episodes Abraham Benrubi as Jerry Markovic 134 episodes Lily Mariye as Lily Jarvik 107 episodes Montae Russell as Dwight Zadro 100 episodes Brian Lester as Dumar 76 episodes Emily Wagner as Doris Pickman 149 episodes Dinah Lenney as Shirley 67 episodes Michelle C. Bonilla as Christine Harms 50 episodes Louie Liberti as Bardelli 20 episodes Leland Orser as Lucien Dubenko 26 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where ER overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

chicago, illinois hospital doctor surgical operation emergency room medical drama
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 19, 1994
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
45 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
941