A Sequel Series To ‘The Knick’ Could Be On The Way Says Steven Soderbergh
‘The Knick‘ may have ended after only two seasons back in 2015, but director/EP Steven Soderbergh has revealed the historical hospital drama could be about to make a return to our screens.
Speaking with The Playlist, Soderbergh revealed that writer/creators Jack Amiel and Michael Begler have been working alongside filmmaker Barry Jenkins (‘Moonlight’) and original series co-star André Holland, on bringing the show back, either as a direct 3rd season or as a sequel series. Soderbergh himself would likely stay on as exec producer rather than directing.
According to Soderbergh, Holland and Jenkins “came up with a really great approach with Jack and Michael. And that seems to be advancing rapidly. I just read the pilot, which is terrific.” He also added “I told them, ‘Look, I had, I had my shot. Godspeed, take it in whatever direction you want.'”
Set in New York City in 1900, ‘The Knick’ centred on the Knickerbocker Hospital and the groundbreaking surgeons, nurses and staff who pushed the boundaries of medicine in a time of astonishingly high mortality rates and zero antibiotics. Clive Owen starred as Dr. John Thackery, the brilliant and arrogant renegade leader of the surgery staff, whose addiction to cocaine and opium was trumped only by his ambition for medical discovery and renown among his peers.
The series ran from 2014-15 on Cinemax in the USA, but was cancelled when the network shifted their production strategy towards more “high-octane” co-produced drama. Over just two seasons, ‘The Knick’ still racked up an impressive array of awards and nominations, including winning Satellite Awards for Best Drama, Best Actor (for Clive Owen), and Best Ensemble, and a Peabody Award, alongside a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination for Owen, and Outstanding Directing Emmy nomination for Soderbergh, plus numerous technical awards.
Whether it’s a 3rd Season or a sequel, they will need a new lead actor, as Clive Owen’s Dr. Thackery (SPOILERS) died at the end of Season 2. However, given André Holland, who played Dr. Algernon Edwards, is involved in this new version, you would expect his character to return.
As this new iteration of ‘The Knick‘ is currently only “in development” there is no network attached or guarantee it will make it to screen, but we’ll let you know if and when we hear more.
