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Everything to Know About Zachary Quinto-Starring Medical Drama Brilliant Minds: Where to Watch

The new medical drama is connected to the late, beloved comedian and actor Robin Williams.

By Tara Bennett
Dr. Wolf Comforts a Patient Who Can't Recognize Her Kids | Brilliant Minds | NBC

It's been quite a while since actor Zachary Quinto has tackled a non-genre series, but he's currently leading the medical drama Brilliant Minds on NBC, which premiered on September 23 from writer and executive producer Michael Grassi. Read on to learn more about this heartfelt, thrilling series.

What is Brilliant Minds about?

How to Watch

Watch Brilliant Minds Mondays at 10/9c on NBC and next day on Peacock

The series was green-lit in Fall 2023 initially under the title "Dr. Wolf," and follows the work of Dr. Oliver Wolf (Quinto), a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist, and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

RELATED: The Near-Decade-Long Journey to Translate Dr. Oliver Sacks' Life Into NBC's Brilliant Minds

The cases in the show are inspired by Dr. Oliver Wolf Sacks' (1933-2015) real-life brain disorder research and treatment, some of which he chronicled in his non-fiction books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (1985) and An Anthropologist on Mars (1995). 

Before this series, which was announced in May, the most well-known adaptation of Dr. Sacks' work was the 1990 Academy Award-nominated film Awakenings, starring Robin Williams as Dr. Malcolm Sayer, who was modeled on Sacks. 

Who stars in Brilliant Minds?

Brilliant Minds Cast

Actor Zachary Quinto embodies the role of Dr. Oliver Wolf as he heads a team of interns studying the mysteries of the brain in his neurology department in New York City.

RELATED: Meet the Brilliant Cast Behind NBC's Medical Drama Brilliant Minds

Quinto first made his mark on audiences in 2000s television series like 24 and Heroes. In 2009, he ably stepped into the shoes (and ears) of Mr. Spock in the big-screen Star Trek reboot from director J.J. Abrams (as well as 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness and 2016's Star Trek Beyond). In 2010, Quinto made his Off-Broadway debut as Louis Ironson in the revival of Angels in America, for which he won a Theater World Award. And while he's returned to the small screen in recent years for streaming series and voice work in animated shows, Brilliant Minds marks the first time he's led a high-profile procedural along the lines of E.R. or Chicago Med.

Starring alongside Quinto are Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Teddy Sears, and Donna Murphy. 

When does Brilliant Minds premiere?

Brilliant Minds premiered on NBC on September 23, 2024, at 10 p.m. Brilliant Minds was preceded by the premiere of Season 26 of The Voice with new Coaches Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé at 8 p.m.

New episodes of Brilliant Minds premiere on Mondays on NBC at 10/9c and are available to stream on Peacock.

Dr Oliver Wolf and Dr Carol Pierce for Brilliant Minds

Michael Grassi serves as writer and executive producer. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Melissa Aouate, Henrik Bastin, Andy Serkis, Jonathan Cavendish, and Will Tennant also executive produce.

RELATED: How Brilliant Minds Is Taking Inspiration from This Is Us and Will & Grace Over ER

Berlanti Productions, Fabel Entertainment, The Imaginarium, Grassi Productions, and Tavala produce in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. 

Dr. Wolf (Zachary Quinto) examines x-ray results on a computer monitor on the pilot of Brilliant Minds

For NBC's full Fall schedule click here.

New episodes of Brilliant Minds premiere on Mondays on NBC at 10/9c and are available to stream on Peacock.

Get your Zachary Quinto on with his seminal villain work as Sylar on Heroes streaming on Peacock!

Originally published May 10, 2024.