Saving Hope

Saving Hope is an hour-long supernatural, medical drama series that originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in the United States. The show was telecasted from 2012 to 2017. It was created by Malcolm MacRury and Morwyn Brebner and was produced by Ilana Frank, David Wellington, John Morayniss, Lesley Harrison, and Adam Pettle. The series stars Canadian actress Erica Durance, who is well-known for her role as Lois Lane in the television series Smallville.

Saving Hope is a unique melding of the medical drama genre with a touch of the supernatural. The series brings you into the lives of the doctors and staff of Hope Zion Hospital in Toronto. Durance plays the central character Dr. Alex Reid, a surgeon whose life turns upside down when her fiancé, Dr. Charles Harris, played by Michael Shanks, becomes comatose following a car accident. Harris, wandering the hospital in spirit form, interacts with other spirits who are either patients unable to wake up or have passed away.

The characterization in the series drives the narrative as much as the medical plot. Durance's Dr. Reid is a strong and determined individual, not only dealing with the professional side of her life but also managing emotional turmoil. The comatose state of her fiancé brings a supernatural twist, making Saving Hope an intriguing watch.

In his surreal state, Dr. Harris, despite being unable to communicate with the living, uses his new capabilities to help save lives, often providing insight that helps solve medical mysteries. He's seen in the liminal space, perpetually on the cusp of life and death, engaging with other souls who are stuck in the same ambiguity. This supernatural element adds an additional level of intrigue and introspection to each episode.

The creators of Saving Hope have done an excellent job of keeping the medical drama element grounded and authentic. The various medical procedures, injuries, and ailments featured in each episode are well-researched, offering a glimpse into the high-pressure world of emergency medicine. The series' setting, Hope Zion Hospital, becomes more than a backdrop. It turns into a character, providing richness and depth to the storyline.

Over its run from 2012 to 2017, Saving Hope amassed a loyal viewer base with its unique twist on the medical drama genre, drawing praise particularly for its blending of supernatural and medical elements. The engaging performances of the central characters, especially Ebola Durance's portrayal of Dr. Reid, contributed to the series' identity and its longevity.

Saving Hope contains a fantastic ensemble cast, including Huse Madhavji as Dr. Shahir Hamza, a neurologist with Asperger Syndrome, Julia Taylor Ross as Dr. Maggie Lin, an ambitious surgical fellow, and Kristopher Turner as Dr. Gavin Murphy, a psychiatry resident and Dr. Lin's love interest. At the heart of the series is the performance by Wendy Crewson as Dr. Dana Kinney, a formidable and respected senior surgeon, who acts as a mentor to the young doctors.

In summary, Saving Hope is a skillful blend of the supernatural and the everyday, creating a unique viewing experience. Amidst the fast-paced action of a busy Toronto hospital, viewers are offered a glimpse into the realms beyond, into the spaces that blur the line between life and death. The emotions, the medical cases, and the supernatural elements are blended together to create a drama that's compelling and engrossing. The strong performances, particularly from Erica Durance, ensure that viewers remain invested in the fates of the characters over the series' five-season run.

Whether you're a fan of medical dramas, paranormal stories, or simply well-written television, Saving Hope provides a fresh and engaging viewing experience. The series asks big questions about life, death, and what might lie in between, all while providing the high-stakes drama, romance, and suspense that fans of the genre love. For those seeking a distinctive and absorbing TV series, Saving Hope undoubtedly fits the bill.