Network: ABC
Episodes: 13 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: April 24, 2014 — July 24, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Kelly Reilly, Ditch Davey, David Ajala, Terry Kinney, Ali Wong, David Chisum, Laura Fraser, Siobhan Williams, and Vanessa Redgrave.
TV show description:
This dramatic series revolves around uncovering the mysteries of the human brain —
Catherine Black (Kelly Reilly) is a world-famous neurologist who is brilliant, beautiful, and at the top of her game. However, few know that she’s also bipolar. The medical director of The Cube, this complex woman draws patients from all over the world. Outside of work, she keeps multiple secrets from her family and loved ones.
Doctor Ian Bickman (Ditch Davey) is a brilliant neurosurgeon and a known womanizer. He’s handsome and funny but his work comes first. He’s always treasured his freedom — until he met Catherine.
On the other side is Will Van Renseller (David Ajala), a handsome and trailblazing new chef in Brooklyn. He’s smart and ready to settle down with Catherine but her secret may derail their happiness.
Doctor Owen Morely (Terry Kinney) is the chief of staff and department chairman of The Cube. He’s Catherine’s former teacher, current boss, mentor and a fellow neurologist. He’s a true gentleman. Lina Lark (Ali Wong) is an intelligent and eccentric radiology technician who’s hiding a secret of her own.
Joshua Black (David Chisum) is Catherine’s best friend, confidante, and brother. He’s her protector and stands by her side, keeping her rooted along. His wife is Reagan (Laura Fraser). She’s a complex woman who sometimes finds it a struggle to stand by and support Catherine knowing all her secrets. Things are more complicated by the fact that her teen-age daughter, Esme (Siobhan Williams), looks up to her aunt.
Doctor Helen Hartramph (Vanessa Redgrave) is Catherine’s very intuitive and insightful psychiatrist. She’s more than just Catherine’s doctor, she’s also a mentor. She knows more about Catherine than anyone else, and holds the key to her mysterious background.
Episode #13 — Consequences
The police pick up Catherine half-naked in the woods after she stole Bickman’s car. After undergoing treatment in rehab, Catherine returns to face the fallout at home and at the Cube. Joshua tells her that he can’t be her enabler anymore. Catherine returns home to her apartment. It’s in shambles. Joshua reminds his sister that she’s a lot stronger than she thinks she is.
Bickman gives Leo his coveted letter of recommendation. He later gives Catherine a big hug upon her return. He knows she’s bipolar. He also knows that she needs to fight for her job. He’ll back her up. He’s her friend. Owen is agreeable to having Catherine back at work, though it isn’t without strict parameters, making it a challenge for Catherine to earn her credibility back.
Owen gets the background on Catherine from Dr. Hartramph. There will always be risks of having her work at the Cube. Of course, there are great rewards, too. Back at the Cube, Truman is a young man who believes he has a doppelganger. Catherine is treating him under the watchful eye of Owen, who ultimately turns over the case to Farrah. A short time later, he realizes Catherine’s assessment of the situation is on target.
Nurse Carlotta is jealous now that Catherine is back. She believes Bickman is in love with her. Catherine shows up at Bick’s place asking to turn back the clock. She doesn’t wait around to hear his answer once she sees Carlotta is there. Bick later explains that he was just trying to get Catherine out of her mind.
While trying to get her life back on track, Esme’s biological father, Johnny, arrives and is in desperate need of a transplant. Catherine is faced with the difficult decision of having to reveal the truth to Esme about who her real parents are. Reagan agrees to break the news but without Catherine present. Esme is angry, but agrees to the transplant.
Catherine finds Johnny unconscious in his apartment. Time is critical now. Too bad Esme is nowhere to be found. That’s because she’s hiding at Will’s restaurant. The two of them show up at the hospital. Esme is ready to meet her biological father, but she wants her real dad and mom to go with her. Catherine is left standing in the corridor alone.
Owen lets Catherine know that he’s not going to second-guess her anymore. Later, news comes in that Esme is a good match for Johnny. She’s still not ready to talk to Catherine, who gets more bad news from Owen. Carlotta came to him with allegations that Dr. Black duped her into filling a prescription for Oxy that she ended up using for herself. Owen steps up to Catherine as she watches Bick operate. He tells her that she’s fired. (Description courtesy ABC.)
First aired: July 24, 2014.
What do you think? Do you like the Black Box TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
I don’t understand why a great show like this was cancelled, and yet, there are numerous boring, reality shows like Survivor, The Biggest Loser, etc., that should be axed, but are still on the air. Please bring this show back.
I agree, to many mindless reality shows and this unique Drama , Blackbox, should be continued one way or another!!
I feel that abc is stupid.. Black box was a great way to bring attention to mental illness/bipolar. I hate the fact that they don’t give the audience closure. I’m hoping that TNT picks up this series!
loved the show
Leave it to ABC to yet again have bad taste and cancel a really good show.
Well after Robin Williams death here is a show that explains what the person goes thru who has this disease , Knowledge is a powerful thing the people need to be educated. They need to know what families go thru and how important it is. Please Please renew it put it in a different time slot.CABLE NETWORKS Get this program and boost your ratings. Shame on you ABC,,,
You can post something on the abc website, that is where we need to flood our comments. I did!
Finally a show with some substance and it’s canceled? I hope cable has enough sense to pick it up. It is done extremely well and the acting is superb. Shame on you ABC. Bipolar is a very fascinating subject and should be further explored. Kelly Ryan plays Dr. Black extremely well and Vanessa Redgrave offsets as a marvelous psychiatrist. This show is taking the stigma out of it. I hope TNT picks it up! Help!!!!!
I thing it should have been renewed
I really like Black Box. I think the cases are very interesting and so are the people. I do not think this show should be cancelled.
why, why, why could you cancel Black Box? why would you cancel a good show? it makes no sense what-so-ever. it has wonderful acting, intelligent writing, good production values all around. it was different than your stock boring cop shows. and – it had Vanessa Redgrave. I beginning to think that the executives in charge of American television are just plain stupid. I think you’ve made a very bad decision in cancelling this show. hopefully TNT will pick it up! Black Box so deserves a good 5 or 6 year run!
Really cancelling this show it is wonderful. NOOOOOOOO
Loved the show watched every episode Was really looking forward to the new season. I guess that is what the networks do reel us in and them drop
Perception is doing well on TNT, so is Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, Franklin & Bash, Justice, and others. Maybe TNT will pickup this show. They seem to realize that there is something called a DVR, and not just 18 – 49 yrs old have money and are faithful to the sponsors of their favorite shows!
Loved this show! Had to get used to it, had to let others know about it, but with all the channels and shows, it takes awhile to find what you might like. Also, I do have a life other than sitting in front of the TV, so I can’t watch everything! The show got better each week! Give people a chance to find it!
Noooo! Don’t cancel the show! I think the lower ratings were due to when the season aired… late spring/early summer on a Sunday night after daylight savings. This is a family night for most people. Try it on a week night during the school year. I think the ratings will go up.
I don’t think what it means to people to see a show about a person who has a handicap
and can save and help other people from death.
you don’t know what it’s like to help a person who have a grift like this person dose .
don’t cancel this show . it a hit? and people like it.
all you people ever think a about is how to run a network. and thought ease,
start seeing what works and what doesn’t and this one dose.
loved this dhow. Thought neutopsyhology was really interesting. How are we going to know what happens to Dr Black?
If this show would have been broadcast in cable it would not have been canceled. It may be too deep for the folks that like ‘mostly comedy’ to watch. A similar show, Perception, on TNT is going into it’s 3rd season and going strong. Stop putting so much garbage and put shows people can actually check the veracity in the internet or the library it in doubt.
I think the time the showed aired wasn’t all that great. I think if people new about this show, it would be very popular. I talked to many people that never heard of it, but the people that watched it loved the show.