Code Black TV series on CBS, season two. Pictured: Bonnie Sommerville and Raza Jaffrey (Photo: Sonja Flemming/ CBS.)
Mum’s the word at Angels Memorial. How will the Code Black TV show on CBS handle the absence of Bonnie Somerville’s Christa Lorenson and Raza Jaffrey’s Neal Hudson? By not mentioning the characters, at all, according to EP Michael Seitzman. Code Black season two premieres Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 10:00pm ET/PT on CBS.
The showrunner told TV Line, “We just never found a good way to address it.” The writing staff felt jamming in a line about Christa and Raza moving on was too much exposition, according to the report. The medical drama stars Marcia Gay Harden, Luis Guzman, Melanie Chandra, Harry Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Jillian Murray, Boris Kodjoe, and William Allen Young. Rob Lowe is joining in the second season.
The actors were let go after the first season, as part of a re-tooling needed, to secure a second season renewal from the Tiffany Network. It was a difficult task for Seitzman to let the pair go. Here is more from TV Line:
Although the actors were let go, “You have to remember these are friends of ours,” Seitzman sighs. “This is tough. Raza and I became good friends. We’re still good friends. He lives right up the street from me, and my wife and I have dinner with him and his wife. We have a personal relationship. That was the hardest phone call I ever made. It was awful for me. I hated making the phone call to Bonnie, too, but Raza and I are really tight.”
What do you think? were you a fan of the Christa and Neal characters? Do you plan to watch the second season of the Code Black TV series, even though Sommerville and Jaffrey will not be returning? Tell us.
The show is missing these two great actors and characters. Hate the emphasis this season on the chief of staff. Who gets rid of main characters after one season? Cmon people. Good way to lose your audience
Huge mistake changing charcters!! Bring them back!
I really miss these two characters. They had great chemistry and interesting stories. The worst part is not addressing it. The current characters not addressing or talking about these two being gone or why they left is just plain ridiculous and jarring. What the hell are these writers and producers doing? They’re going to tank the ratings, not improve them with this stupid decision.
without Neal and Christa this show is empty..
Last season I looked forward each week to watching Code Black. It was one of my favorite shows. Now it doesn’t matter if I watch or not. Neal & Christa ARE missed.
I was so looking forward to the return of this show. Now, I find the characters in charge of Angels Mem grating and off putting. No longer invested in the show.
Not the. Same without Neal and Christ they were my favorites. Next you will be re tooling and cut mama and daddy out. Just not the same ,not interested in watching any more
I love watching code black,but I hate the fact thats they had to get rid of Raza and Bonnie to get good numbers. Raza was good for the show. We will see if they change worked.
Why did the presence of those two not get good numbers? Other than Marcia Gay Harden they were my favorite. I’m angry and don’t enjoy the show anymore. Why did they really do it?
Retooled and doesn’t feel the same! Not interested in watching anymore!
I just watched the 3rd episode and it is not the same without Christa and Neal’s characters in it. I agree that the head and surgery is hard to watch and Rob Lowe is not adding anything to the show! I will be finding something else to watch.
Just watched the 3rd episode and still sooo miss Christa and Neals characters on the show. The new head of surgery is hard to watch and Rob Lowe is not a great addition to the cast. Leave well enough alone. Bring them back! Guess I will also find something else to watch.
I really liked them and their story line, angry they have been removed. I do not like the new head of Surgery and the ER character. If his story line continues I might stop watching!
I feel the same way. I have been thinking of not watching Code Black either in 2017. I keep hoping Rob Lowe will leave. I miss Raza Jaffrey. His character as Dr. Neal Hudson was pivotal to me. They need to bring back Raza Jaffrey.
they were my favorite characters and story line on the show. I’ll be switching to designated survivor.
Don’t feel bad at all about switching over to “Designated Survivor” – those were my 3 favorite characters.
Totally agree with the comments below. I have no idea why a reboot was needed? It was a wonderful show, but the new characters are not interesting, Rob Lowe is abysmal, and what was an edge of your chair show now feels contrived. I adore Marcia Gay Harden, but she and Mama are sidelined now, too. This show is gone. Another stupid CBS move.