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?
Just learned that Black Box won’t be back while checking for the season two air date. So disappointing! Please bring it back.
I can’t believe it!!
I finally find a show I really looked forward to each week!
This is the first T.V. Series I have watched and enjoyed in years!
Why did this awesome show run in the Summer season?
Fall was the time to air The Black Box!
Please bring it back!!!!!!
I’m back to watching all the reality shows.
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I can’t believe this show was cancelled. It was one of my favorite shows. There are few good quality shows anymore and you made a big mistake. Obviously you don’t know the difference between a quality show and one that isn’t. I won’t be watching ABC anymore due to this.
Wonderful insightful show – too bad it was cancelled. Great acting! It was a look into bi-polar disease, which many are not familiar with the symptoms, and for those of us who watch family members struggling, on a daily basis. to see the possible successful directions their life could go with proper medication was so very encouraging. Too bad! Yes. bring it back!
Why!!!! The summer was a horrible time to try a show like this out!! Everyone knows the fall is when people pick their fave shows!!! Please please please bring it back!!!!!!
The Black Box was an incredible show and in the light of Robin Williams and the need for this country to discuss and bring mental illness into the light, this show was a great beginning. It was accurate and shows that you can have mental illness and live with it and be successful with treatment, how many feel they need to live in the shadows (as Kathrine in the show hides the fact she is bipolar) and how help is needed for the many who suffer in silence. It was a great show, and a big mistake to cancel it.
So well said Laurie!
Black Box was a great smart show. The junk on now is unbearable to watch. Please bring
this show back. I miss it so,
I was so sad to hear that this show was cancelled. I just found out today. What a big disappointment. This show had so much potential and the cases it used were so interesting. It did not stray too far away from the biological characteristics that the patient actually exhibits. Please bring this show back!!!
I just realized that “Black Box” has been cancelled. That is a terrible mistake by ABC. I hope they come to their senses and bring it back when one of the ABC replacement shows bombs. It was a great show and the woman playing Dr Black was incredible. What a shame.
I loved this show. I did not want to but I loved and am heartbroken to see it is canceled. I didn’t even think his could be a possibility it was so good. Bring it back!
I was so looking forward to see what would happen to Dr Black. I don’t understand why it was cancelled. Can the show be brought back. I suffer from the illness, so I was able to relate. Maybe new writers. Please help bring back ” Black Box”.
Bring this show back! Cancelling this show was a BIG mistake ABC. Finally something worth watching. I think we are all getting a little tired of having endless talent shows, reality shows and painfully ridiculous new entertainment shows that just make me go to my room and READ! Not such a bad thing, I know. Black Box was well worth the hour of my time. We need more shows like this that show us a little bit of humanity is still out there.
Tell me why this provocative, excitingly deep series was cancelled. Each actor on this series is perfectly suited to this dark drama. PLEASE REVIVE IT!!! Cancel some mind numbing series to keep it.
I can’t believe another great TV show has been cancelled after just one season…Bring back Black Box!!
I would look forward to Thursday nights just so I could watch this great show! I am so disappointed. Big mistake to cancel this it.
Bring Black Box back, write ABC and let them know. This was a very interesting drama!!