Chicago Med is an obvious pick up for NBC as it expands the brand of Dick Wolf Chicago television universe that began with Chicago Fire in 2012, followed by Chicago PD in 2014 and now solidifies connections to Wolf’s other ongoing series Law & Order SVU as established via a three episode crossover event in November 2014. Chicago Med entered the picture on the April 7, 2015 episode of Chicago Fire “I Am the Apocalypse” introducing the characters as a backdoor pilot.
Blindspot comes from expanding DCTVU producer Greg Berlanti, who has established himself as a superhero genre franchise savant with his work on Arrow, The Flash and other upcoming projects such as an untitled DC team spinoff series for CW and Supergirl for CBS, but has also made a name for himself at NBC for producing comedic crime mystery series The Mysteries of Laura. It appears that Blindspot will be a mystery thriller series that will be more conspiracy oriented.
Heartbreaker, formally titled Heart Matters, brings NBC another medical drama into the upcoming season. The unique bent that this series offers is that it is mainly a character driven series based on the real life work of Dr. Kathy Magliato.
From press release:
“CHICAGO MED”
Executive producer Dick Wolf delivers the newest installment of the compelling “Chicago” franchise, an emotional thrill ride through the day-to-day chaos of the city’s most explosive hospital and the courageous team of doctors who hold it together. They will tackle unique new cases inspired by topical events, forging fiery relationships in the pulse-pounding pandemonium of the emergency room, and through it all, familiar faces from the Chicago police and fire departments will intertwine as this third team of Chicago heroes hits the ground running.
The cast includes Oliver Platt, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurie Holden, Nick Gehlfuss and Yaya Dacosta.
Dick Wolf, Matt Olmstead, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas serve as writers and executive producers. Danielle Gelber, Peter Jankowski and director Joe Chappelle (pilot) also executive produce. “Chicago Med” is produced by Universal Television and Wolf Films.
“BLINDSPOT”
From executive producer Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “The Flash,” “The Mysteries of Laura”) comes “Blindspot”: A vast international plot explodes when a beautiful Jane Doe is discovered naked in Times Square, completely covered in mysterious, intricate tattoos with no memory of who she is or how she got there. There’s one that’s very clear, however: the name of FBI agent Kurt Weller, emblazoned across her back. “Jane,” Agent Weller and rest of the FBI quickly realize that each mark on her body is a crime to solve, leading them closer to the truth about her identity and the mysteries to be revealed.
The cast includes Sullivan Stapleton, Jaimie Alexander, Audrey Esparza, Rob Brown, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Ukweli Roach and Ashley Johnson.
Martin Gero serves as writer and executive producer. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and director Mark Pellington (pilot) also executive produce. “Blindspot” is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions.
Based on the real life and achievements of Dr. Kathy Magliato, this unique character-driven medical drama follows Dr. Alex Panttiere (Melissa George, “The Slap”), an outspoken world-renowned heart-transplant surgeon and one of the few women in her field. Stubborn and fearless, Alex always operates on her own terms. She revels in a racy personal life that’s a full-time job in itself, manages the daily demands of skeptical faculty and dutiful interns, and pushes the boundaries of medical science to impressive new heights.
The cast includes Melissa George, Dave Annable, Don Hany, Shelley Conn, D.L. Hughley, Jamie Kennedy, Maya Erskine, J. Louis Mills and Joshua Leonard.
Jill Gordon serves as writer and executive producer. Amy Brenneman, Brad Silberling and director Robbie Duncan McNeill also executive produce. “Heartbreaker” is produced by Universal Television.