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?
Black Box was very intriguing. More people than we are aware of suffer from disordered related to something we all go through…stress. The movie brought awareness to the things that are hidden daily. They need to give it another shot. The movie didn’t fail I believe it was those chosen to play the main characters.
I strongly disagree with Sheila Rush about those chosen to play the main characters! The cast was SUPERB!
I totally agree that the cast was Superb! This was such a good show, I’m so sorry the idiots at ABC decided to cancel it. I looked forward to every episode and was shocked to hear it was cancelled.
I absolutely love this show and would specifically get off work early to go home and watch it. I think it needs to be continued!
This was one of the best shows on television. This is the only show I would tune into. IIhate regular television; however this show made me want more. I am so bummed that they discontinued this show. Well written leaving me with many questions (what if’s).
ABC needs to get off it’s rear and do something about the out-cry of public discontent for their actions in canelling an intelligent series. I won’t watch ABC any longer. I can watch its reruns of the shows I like on cable for now on! I’d rather watch SYTYCD than DWTS any day. The DWTS are dated and antiquated to begin with. The Black Box featured new unseen topics and strong refreshing talent. Even Gray’s is beginning to get old and predictable.
Please please please bring this show back. It was great writing, thought provoking, intelligent and dramatic. It would do better in the fall.
I am so disappointed that they have cancelled this show. It was so different than any other show on TV. Lately it seems no network wants to give a show a real chance, but abc is the worst offender. I hope another network picks up this show or it goes to a cable channel. I vote for one more season!
I agree, this show wasn’t given a chance. I talked to several people about it and they never heard of it and they were all interested in checking it out. I hope another network picks it up!
My daughter and I are very sad that this show was cancelled. even my husband was surprised. It started out slowly, but was getting really good thanks mostly to the incredible talents of Kelly Riley. We hope this gets picked up by another station cause it’s a sleeper…
This was a great show. I agree with the other comments. I hope this show will be picked by another channel. ABC has cancelled several great shows and allowed garbage to remain. Very sad
Please renew this show. It was unlike any other on TV. So many questions left unanswered. I don’t feel it was given a fair chance.
I feel this should have not been cancel it, I like the show please bring it back..
Please bring this intelligent and thought provoking show back. Get rid of all the mind-numbing shows and let us see some quality TV.
You really left us hanging with the ending which was no ending at all.
Way too good to be cancelled!!!!!! Bring it back!!!!! One of the best shows ever made!!!!!
bring it back,love the show.
Bring it back ! Love it! I particularly want to see a conclusion about the young man, who, influenced by a brain tumor, starting shooting people, but knew something was wrong and tried to seek help. What a legal conundrum! Bring it back!
I agree, this was such a great, thought provoking show. I hope another network picks it back up because I am sure it would catch on if more people knew about it.
Bring it back!! Too good to cancel!!
Show was a waste of my bipolar brain.