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Season 1 – Code Black

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Code Black Sep 2015 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
50% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Based on the award-winning documentary of the same name, this medical drama follows the staff members in the nation's busiest emergency room as they cope with a staggering influx of patients, which can outweigh their limited resources, resulting in a condition known as code black. Residency Director Dr. Leanne Rorish -- who is known for her success with high-risk procedures in the trauma area -- leads residents Malaya and Angus, among others. Senior nurse Jesse Sallander manages the residents and serves as Leanne's confidant, with doctors Rollie Guthrie, Will Campbell and Heather Pinkney rounding out the group. Together, the doctors and nurses race to save lives in an overwhelmed system.
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Code Black — Season 1

Code Black — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

While not reinventing the stethoscope, Code Black is an above-average medical drama, with appropriately theatrical storylines that make up for sometimes cheesy dialogue.

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Critics Reviews

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Allison Keene Collider 05/07/2019
2.5/5
It's a mishmash of serious ER chaos and manipulative sentimentality and melodrama, which feel forced. Go to Full Review Matt Zoller Seitz New York Magazine/Vulture 10/01/2015
If it gives Harden weekly opportunities to stare daggers at other actors and regularly hands Guzmn irresistibly colorful monologues like the one that opens the pilot, I can see myself checking in on it regularly. Go to Full Review Mary McNamara Los Angeles Times 09/30/2015
Hollywood, please. Go to Full Review Jane Bowron The Post NZ 06/14/2017
Code Black makes you cardiac arrest at the pace of the action, but there's nothing new to see here. Go to Full Review Pilot Viruet Flavorwire 06/08/2016
Code Black is acceptably average. Fans of medical dramas will likely enjoy it, while detractors will continue to steer clear. Go to Full Review Kaitlin Thomas TV.com 10/01/2015
I absolutely believe that there is an audience who will eat this manufactured and emotionally manipulative drama up like a bag of Cheetos from a hospital waiting room vending machine, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's also a good show. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alain E @AlainE 05/01/2025 Thankfully no ER I have ever been (I am an interventional cardiologist) looks like this. This is what a clueless screenwriter imagines that happens in a high pressure ER (most commonly now called ED). If you want to see realistic depiction of trauma care, I recommend the second season of the English series The Fall on Prime. Five minutes is all I could tolerate. See more 04/25/2019 I love this show so much See more 11/04/2018 A primeira temporada de "Code Black" não teve um impacto grande nos espectadores, no entanto, as histórias contadas e os personagens encantaram, certamente. See more 08/22/2018 A new tv show that may even challenge ER and Gray’s Anatomy. The best! See more 05/23/2018 one of the better medical dramas i've seen, much more realistic than most other medical dramas although season three is obviously trying to appeal to people who prefer more drama than medicine. Still my favorite show because of the complex cases, plotlines, and high intensity episodes! See more 01/12/2017 Great acting, directing, and stories See more Read all reviews
Code Black — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Marcia Gay Harden

Dr. Leanne Rorish

Bonnie Somerville

Christa Lorenson

Raza Jaffrey

Dr. Neal Hudson

Luis Guzmán

Jesse Sallander

Melanie Chandra

Malaya Pineda

Harry Ford

Angus Leighton

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 30, 2015 Pilot Dr. Leanne Rorish puts her new first-year residents right to work at Angels Memorial Hospital, home to the busiest ER in the nation. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 7, 2015 We Plug Holes Christa begs Neal to perform a surgery that will ensure a patient's reproductive future; a patient fights with Mario after receiving upsetting news. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 14, 2015 Pre-Existing Conditions During a 36-hour shift, the doctors are faced with a distraught woman whose sons were in a devastating car accident; Mario makes Angus perform an unnecessary operation. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 21, 2015 Sometimes It's a Zebra Guthrie's estranged son joins Angels Memorial staff and clashes with Leanne; Christa loses her confidence during a procedure on an infant. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 28, 2015 Doctors With Borders Neal's gravely ill mother, Asra, exhibits mysterious symptoms that prompt a quarantine in Trauma One; Neal and his father -- a neurosurgeon -- cannot agree on medical treatment for Asra. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 4, 2015 In Extremis Leanne is faced with a tough choice when a police officer --with whom she shares a personal connection -- and his shooter both need urgent medical care; Malaya's pregnant ex-girlfriend (Shiri Appleby) comes to the hospital with a pain in her arm. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 11, 2015 Buen Árbol Angus utilizes his background in psychology when a woman cannot remember how she injured herself and others; Christa bonds with the mother of a patient with cystic fibrosis. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 18, 2015 You Are the Heart Christa must handle all emergencies at Angels Memorial that happen outside the emergency room; Malaya arranges a bone marrow drive for Carla; Leanne turns down a date. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 25, 2015 The Son Rises The lead actor (Alton Fitzgerald White) in the musical "The Lion King" receives a diagnosis that threatens his life and career; a 17-year-old boy faces a difficult decision. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 2, 2015 Cardiac Support Leanne worries about losing Jesse after he has a massive heart attack; Mario searches the city for a patient's son -- defying Neal's directive. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 9, 2015 Black Tag Heavy fog at the scene of a massive multi-vehicle accident puts the doctors in danger; Jesse's confidence has taken a hit; Carla's condition turns critical. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 13, 2016 The Fog of War A love triangle starts to form as the doctors treat patients from a multi-vehicle accident; Malaya disregards Carla's wishes and stays by her side as she delivers her baby. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 20, 2016 First Date Angus' brother returns to Angels Memorial in hopes of landing a position as an attending physician; Christa's feelings toward Neal increase; a patient becomes obsessed with Malaya. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 27, 2016 The Fifth Stage Leanne visits a prison to confront the drunken driver who killed her family; a patient (Jesse Bradford) makes Malaya feel uncomfortable. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 3, 2016 Diagnosis of Exclusion When a violent incident inside the hospital leads to grave injuries, the doctors are questioned; Christa and Neal disclose their relationship to human resources. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 10, 2016 Hail Mary Christa feels insecure when Neal's ex-girlfriend (Meagan Good) returns to the hospital after a year of volunteering in Haiti; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wants his stubborn high school football coach to have a life-saving surgery. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 17, 2016 Love Hurts Christa must ignore her personal feelings as she and Grace treat a patient who says he was abused at a camp for troubled teenagers; Campbell surprises Grace by asking her out on a date. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 24, 2016 Blood Sport Mario decides to confront Angus; Christa is faced with a surprise; Dr. Mark Taylor returns to help Leanne find money in the budget for the nurses. Details

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Code Black — Season 1

Code Black Code Black Code Black Code Black <em>Code Black</em>, Season 1: Episode 1, "Pilot" <em>Code Black</em>, Season 1: Episode 1, "Pilot" View more photos

Season Info

Director
David Von Ancken, Constantine Makris, Oz Scott, Alex Zakrzewski, Omar Madha, David Semel, Adam Kane, Rob Bailey
Executive Producer
Michael Seitzman, David Semel, Ryan McGarry, Marti Noxon, Linda Goldstein Knowlton
Screenwriter
David Marshall Grant, Michael Seitzman, Molly Newman, Brett Mahoney, Matthew S. Partney, Kristen Kim, Corey Evett
Network
CBS
Rating
TV-14 (D)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 30, 2015