Sophia Bush (Chicago P.D.) plays protagonist Dr. Samantha “Sam” Griffith, who is growing weary of being undermined and “disrespected” by her father-boss, Dr. Rob “Griff” Griffith (Jason Isaacs)… until a tragedy happens that tests each of them. In the middle of all of this is Dr. Sam’s mother—who also happens to be the hospital’s medical director, Vivian Katz (Wendy Crewson). While Dr. Sam’s style is to build up her residents, her curmudgeonly father believes that no one on the hospital staff, including his daughter, is seasoned enough. Dad is a tough taskmaster as well as a medical genius; his daughter, a rising star in her field, leans more towards praise to build up her team. In an example of art imitating life, Bush recently revealed that her parents supported her initial, pre-acting pursuit of a medical career—and that they’re over the moon about her new role as a TV doc. “As a young person, I said I wanted to be a doctor, and I was particularly fascinated with heart surgery,” Bush recently said during a Good Sam press event. “Then my high school drama teacher got in the way and helped put me in my first play. You can imagine the shock when I told my parents I wasn’t going to med school, I was going to go study theater and learn how to do costume makeup. So, it really feels full circle. My parents are thrilled by this. They’re sort of like living out their moment; I’m like actually living a dream.” Isaacs, who is known for his films The Patriot, Black Hawk Down, and for his role as the memorable Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, calls Bush “a remarkable woman, who takes the responsibility of being number one on the Call Sheet very seriously, and that’s to make sure that the cast and crew are not just happy, but treated well,” Isaacs exclusively tells Parade.com. “It shines through on the screen; and it is a definite presence off of the screen, as well.” While at first glance Dr. Rob Griff, seems more grumpy than embraceable, Isaacs says that he finds Dr. Rob Griff to be multilayered. “I think that when the camera shows you who someone is in private, and all of the things that they are feeling that makes them behave arrogantly, fearfully, or in a jealous fashion, you get to know them as a human being. The camera can show you their secrets that help us identify with them.” He says the humanity of his character is what he believes viewers are responding to during Season 1. “If you feels that someone is human, it’s not that you forgive them, but you understand them and you connect with them on a human level.” This compelling drama, which plays like a tug of war between tyranny and kindness, poses the question: How can this father-daughter team work together with such conflicting styles? Speaking on behalf of his character, Issac recently said it’s clear that his daughter should not be running the hospital. “I think I have much more experience and skill. And hopefully, good sense will prevail and I’ll end up running the hospital,” he explained. “There will be no drama, but the world will be as it should be.” On the other hand, the co-creators of the show enjoy the tension and the drama. “I like the idea of telling a story about a woman like Sam who, through bizarre circumstances, is suddenly thrust into the position of having to step into her father’s shoes,” explains the show’s creator Katie Wech. “Watching over the course of a season how she comes to realize she might be a little more comfortable in her own shoes. So that is the journey we were on for this show and with this wonderful cast.” Happy reunions have also been taking place on the set of Good Sam! Sophia Bush recently reunited with her One Tree Hill co-stars (and close pals in real life) Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz, who guest starred in the episode premiering on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Burton and Lenz played sisters Gretchen and Amy Taylor, who crossed paths with Bush’s character when Amy was admitted as a patient at Detroit’s Lakeshore Sentinel Hospital. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about CBS’ new medical drama, Good Sam.
Is there a trailer for CBS’ Good Sam?
Ahead of the Good Sam series premiere, CBS released a two-minute trailer that opens with Isaac’s character growling, “I don’t know if any of you have what it takes.” Later on, Bush’s character snaps at her dad that he’s “making it impossible for me to do my job.” There’s also a scene in which several younger residents debate which Dr. Griffith you’d rather have performed surgery on you and a glimpse at what looks like a love interest for Sam.
What is Good Sam about?
Good Sam focuses on the gifted cardiac surgeon, Dr. Samantha “Sam” Griffith (Bush), as she learns the ropes as the new top surgeon at Lakeshore Sentinel Hospital, a role she has had ever since the legendary leader of the place–her father Dr. Rob “Griff” Griffith (Isaacs)–fell into a coma. Dr. Sam is excelling in her new leadership role as chief of surgery. But when her former boss–who tends to be caustic and arrogant—wakes up six months later, it causes complications when the elder doctor wants to resume his duties. The result is a clash of family wills between the old guard and new methods in the life-and-death business of medical care. As Dr. Griff defies Dr. Sam’s authority and challenges her medical expertise, the big question becomes whether this father and daughter will ever be able to mend their own relationship as expertly as they heal the hearts of their patients. Bush says that she sees “a heightened sense of what’s important in the walls of the hospital as metaphors [because it is] when things are literally life and death.” “That has only increased for all of us in terms of representing healthcare workers since COVID-19,” Bush adds. “So, this incredible sum of all these parts that we’ve put together has made learning terminology, like pericardiocentesis needle, and talking about venous—superficial venous thrombosis, and all of these other things; I love it. It’s nuts, but I love it. One of my very favorite things to do, not only as an individual, but with this whole team of unbelievably talented actors, is to get into our medical rehearsals and figure out who slaps what where, and how we do the things, and we make it look pretty badass!”
Who is in the Good Sam cast?
Sophia Bush as Dr. Samantha “Sam” Griffith
Bush is best known for her role as Detective Erin Lindsay on NBC’s Chicago franchise, (Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Justice), as well as Law and Order SVU. She also played Brooke Davis on The WB’s One Tree Hill.
Jason Isaacs as Dr. Rob “Griff” Griffith
Best known for his portrayal of Captain Gabriel Lorca in the TV series Star Trek Discovery on CBS, Isaacs is also known for playing The Emperor on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix. Isaacs also appeared as Lucius Malfoy in the HarryPotter films.
Skye P. Marshall as Dr. Lex Trulie
Marshall played the part of Towanda Braxton in the Lifetime film Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart, as well as appearances in shows such as the Showtime series Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy on ABC and TheMentalist on CBS.
Michael Stahl-David as Dr. Caleb Tucker
Stahl-David is best known for portraying Robert (Rob) Hawkins in the 2008 film Cloverfield and The Cloverfield Files in 2019. He also appeared as Kenneth of the HBO series The Duece and Sean Donnelly on NBC series The Black Donnellys.
Davi Santos as Dr. Joey Costa
Santos is best known for his performance of Carlos in the TV show Mr. Box Office. He also had appearances in Will and Grace, and Law and Order: True Crime
Edwin Hodge as Malcolm A. Kingsley
Edwin Hodge was Robert Chase in the A&E series Six and Wade in the TV series Cougar Town. His film credits include Die Hard with a Vengeance and Take me Home Tonight.
Wendy Crewson as Vivian Katz
Crewson played First Lady Grace Marshall alongside Harrison Ford in the 1997 film Air Force One and Laura Calvin Miller in the 1994 film The Santa Clause. Her other roles includeHallmark’s When Hope Calls, Saving Hope, Frankie Drake Mysteries, and Departure. Crewson’s TV work included playing Kate Finch in the TV movie Mazes and Monsters, and a recurring role as Prosecutor Dorothy Fredricks in the series Night Heat.
Omar Maskati as Dr. Isan M. Shah
Maskati played Omar, a new associate at the Law firm of Davis and Mann in season 2 on the hit AMC series, Better Call Saul. He also appeared in the CBS show 68 Whiskey and the films Jack of Red Hearts and Nigerian Prince.
How many seasons of Good Sam are there?
So far, there’s just Season 1, which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, on CBS.
How many episodes of Good Sam have been made?
Thirteen episodes of Good Sam were ordered by CBS.
Where and when was Good Sam filmed?
The show was made in Oakville, Ontario. Principal photography for the series began on October 18, 2021, and concluded on March 22, 2022.
What time does Good Sam come on?
Good Sam’s one-hour pilot episode premieres on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
What night is Good Sam on?
Good Sam will air on Wednesday nights on CBS.
What channel is Good Sam on?
Good Sam airs on Wednesday nights on CBS.
Who created Good Sam?
Jane the Virgin writers and executive producers Jennie Snyder Urman and Wech are executive producers of the new series. Urman created the show.
How to watch Good Sam
You can watch GoodSam on CBS on Wednesdays at 10-11 p.m. ET. The premiere episode debuts Wednesday, Jan. 5. The show is also available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ For more medical drama, check out The Good Doctor Is In! Check Out Everything We Know About Season 5, Including The Possible Sound of Wedding Bells!
