The Knick: A Must-Watch Medical Drama
Fans of historical medical dramas like Call the Midwife are in for a treat as another period drama, The Knick, is streaming now on HBO Max. The series follows Dr. John W. Thackery (Clive Owen) and staff at the fictionalized Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City during the early 1900s. Viewers learn of the limitations faced by surgeons and nurses, with Dr. Thackery partially based on the real historical figure William Stewart Halsted.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Reactions
The Knick, which ran for two seasons starting in 2014, has been hailed as an 'absolute masterpiece' by fans. One IMDb reviewer praised the casting, saying, 'The caster for this show deserves an applause for hiring Clive Owen as Dr Thackery. Mr Owen is THE only man who can play that role in its two outer ends, a clever doctor and a cocaine addict, switching between these ends sometimes in one single scene!' Another fan called it 'the best series out there!! You must watch it. Right after the first episode I was sold. In two days time I finished the whole first season.'
Historical Context and Real-Life Inspiration
The real Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City was founded in 1862 and served as a temporary American Civil War tent facility, later known for serving primarily poor and immigrant patients. Dr. John Thackery is based in part on Dr. William Stewart Halsted, a pioneering physician who invented many new surgical instruments and techniques in the early 20th century and was known to be addicted to cocaine and morphine.
Spin-Off and Future Developments
In March 2017, the series was officially cancelled by Cinemax, but in 2020, director Steven Soderbergh confirmed a new season was in development with a pilot episode written. By 2023, creator and writer Begler confirmed a spin-off series set in 1919 Harlem was still in development.
Where to Stream
The Knick is available to stream on HBO Max. Sky is offering free subscriptions to HBO Max with its £22 Ultimate TV bundle, which also includes Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, Hayu, and around 135 channels.
