Blair Underwood joins cast of medical drama Doc as a series regular
After a high-profile movie career, Blair Underwood has joined the cast of TV medical drama Doc as a series regular.
Blair Underwood has joined the cast of medical drama Doc as a series regular.
The Longlegs actor, 61, is set to appear first in the season two finale before taking on a full-time role in the following series.
Blair will play Dr Ben Grant in the drama, a trauma and cardiothoracic surgeon whose arrival is expected to bring him into direct conflict with the programme’s central character Dr Amy Larsen, played by Molly Parker.
The series – produced by Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment – has recently been renewed for a third season by Fox.
Blair will first appear as a guest star in the season two finale, which is scheduled to air on 14 April, before returning as a regular character in the next season.
According to the official character description released by the production, Dr Ben Grant is introduced as a formidable surgeon whose personality is as strong as his professional reputation.
The description states: “Dr Ben Grant is a world-class trauma and cardiothoracic surgeon with an ego that somehow outpaces even his resume.
“A once-in-a-generation talent with the swagger to match, he doesn’t just save lives – he owns the OR. Impossibly magnetic and even more confident, he’s never not been the smartest person in the room… until he meets Dr Amy Larsen. “Almost instantly, their approaches clash, egos collide, and sparks fly like Westside has never seen. Together, their brilliance is unmatched —as long as they can survive each other.”
The series centres on Dr Amy Larsen, whose life changes after a car crash leaves her unable to remember the previous eight years.
Its storyline follows Amy as she attempts to rebuild both her personal life and medical career after the accident.
Alongside Molly, the cast of the second season has included Omar Metwally, Amirah Vann, Jon Ecker, Anya Banerjee, Patrick Walker, Charlotte Fountain-Jardim and Felicity Huffman, with Scott Wolf appearing as a recurring guest star.
The series is based on the Italian drama Doc – Nelle tue mani.
The US adaptation is overseen by co-showrunners Barbie Kligman and Hank Steinberg, who also serve as executive producers.
Additional executive producers include Erwin Stoff, Russell Fine, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Carol Barbee and David Foster.
Blair’s recent television appearances include guest roles in Elsbeth, Three Women and Smothered, as well as performances in Impeachment: American Crime Story, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker, Dear White People and When They See Us.
Earlier television roles for Blair include appearances in Quantico, Dirty Sexy Money, The New Adventures of Old Christine, The Event and L.A. Law.
Blair has also appeared in films including Deep Impact, Set It Off, Rules of Engagement, Just Cause, Madea’s Family Reunion and Full Frontal.
His more recent film credits include Longlegs, Origin and Viral, which he directed and produced in addition to starring in.
Blair has also executive produced and narrated the documentary films Mr. SOUL! and Olympic Pride, American Prejudice.
He won an Emmy award for the Saturday morning television series Give and has received eight NAACP Image Awards.
Blair also won a Grammy award as co-narrator of the audiobook version of An Inconvenient Truth.
