Fox Gives Early Season 2 Renewal to Hit Medical Drama Series DOC
Fox has given an early 22-episode Season 2 renewal to the hit medical drama, Doc, starring Molly Parker. This is a rare full-season order of that size in the new broadcast era where seasons often consist of 13-18 episodes.
The last Fox drama to produce 22 episodes was the network’s previous medical show, The Resident, which delivered 23 episodes during the 2021-22 season.
What makes Doc‘s pickup size even more unusual is that it is given to a series that launched in midseason. As they only air for a couple of months, these freshmen have smaller orders, between 8-13 episodes. (Doc‘s was 10).
That is not considered fully adequate for a show to prove itself, so midseason newbies typically receive a 13-episode Season 2 renewal that could be extended with additional episodes if the series returns strong in the fall.
Doc earned the big vote of confidence with a strong ratings performance. Its premiere has amassed over 16 million viewers to date across platforms (including encores), becoming the most watched Fox series debut episode in over five years, since 9-1-1: Lone Star in Jan. 2020.
Season-to-date, Doc is one of only two new broadcast shows to grow in its second week in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.
After a recent retreat, with several medical dramas, including Fox’s The Resident, ABC’s The Good Doctor and NBC’s New Amsterdam, coming to an end, the genre is having a comeback with four procedurals launching within three months this midseason.
Of the four, two, Doc and Max’s The Pitt, already have been renewed. It is early for CBS’ Watson, but the drama starring Morris Chestnut looks promising for a second season right now. The fourth series, Netflix’s Pulse, premieres April 3.
via: Deadline