EXCLUSIVE: New Amsterdam fans who were left wanting more when the NBC series concluded its run after 5 seasons last year, may have something new to look forward to.
Series creator, executive producer and showrunner David Schulner is developing a spinoff series at NBC set 30 years after the events of the original series. Tentatively titled New Amsterdam: Tomorrow, it follows Dr. Max Goodwin’s (Ryan Eggold) daughter, Luna Goodwin, who steps into her father’s role as Medical Director of New Amsterdam Hospital.
The potential sequel, which is expected to explore the ways artificial intelligence would help advance the medical industry in the future, was set up in the New Amsterdam series finale. It introduced a young and enthusiastic new medical director, played by Molly Griggs, at the beginning of the episode who was revealed at the end to be Max’s daughter, Luna Goodwin, as an adult in flash-forwards.
In a symbolic passing of the baton, Luna made an impassioned auditorium speech echoing Max’s address in the New Amsterdam pilot that ended with her dad’s signature line, ‘How can I help?’
It is unclear whether Griggs would reprise the role in the potential sequel. The project is currently in development, and there is no talent attached. Eggold is not involved in the follow-up at this point either, we hear.
New Amsterdam: Tomorrow, is being developed under Schulner and his production banner Mount Moriah’s overall deal with Universal Television. Peter Horton, who served as EP and director on the original series, is set to direct. He is executive producing through his UTV overall deal along with Eric Manheimer on whose book New Amsterdam was based. Maggie Cahill, Head of Development at Mount Moriah, will be co-executive producing. Universal Television, a part of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.
NBC’s decision to end New Amsterdam with an abbreviated fifth season came as somewhat of a surprise as the medical drama had been such a big breakout hit for the network that it was handed a rare three-season renewal midway through its second season. A strong digital performer from the start, the show also was praised by the Arts and Health lead at the WHO for its portrayal of public health issues.
New Amsterdam’s possibly premature death was followed by a Suits-style resurgence on Netflix where the medical drama was ranking as No.1 just as it was wrapping its run on NBC.
You can call it the Suits effect: just like NBC proceeded with a pilot order for spinoff Suits: LA following the original series’ massive success on Netflix, the network also clearly took notice of New Amsterdam‘s performance on the global streamer, commissioning a script for a potential sequel.
Schulner began his TV career on the ABC series Once and Again. Other credits include the award-winning first year of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, the WB’s Everwood, NBC’s Kings, Tell Me You Love Me on HBO, creator/showrunner of NBC’s Do No Harm and showrunner of NBC’s Emerald City.
His 2008 Fox pilot The Oaks, starring Jeremy Renner, was derailed by the WGA strike but the project found its way to UK’s ITV where it became the series, Marchlands, followed by season two, Lightfields. Schulner is repped by UTA and Myman Greenspan Fox.