tue 26/11/2024

Nurse Jackie, BBC Two | reviews, news & interviews

Nurse Jackie, BBC Two

Nurse Jackie, BBC Two

Darkly comic US medical drama makes a welcome return

Acerbic and dripping with irony: Eve Best and Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie

Medical dramas have a never-ending appeal to television viewers; but whereas British versions are more about the heartstrings than open-heart surgery, America prefers its programmes to be done with scalpel-sharp wit and incisive social commentary. So a warm welcome back to Nurse Jackie, a sassily written and joyously dark work set in a New York emergency room, for a second series.

Medical dramas have a never-ending appeal to television viewers; but whereas British versions are more about the heartstrings than open-heart surgery, America prefers its programmes to be done with scalpel-sharp wit and incisive social commentary. So a warm welcome back to Nurse Jackie, a sassily written and joyously dark work set in a New York emergency room, for a second series.

America's crazy health-insurance system is exposed as the dark comedy it is, but politics are never allowed to take centre stage

Share this article

Comments

I'm with you about Nurse JackIie--a great show. But I can't let your comment about Hugh Laurie's American accent go unchallenged. I live in the US and can guarantee you that AMericans universally are stunned to discover Mr. Laurie is not American. The ONLY people who moan about his accent are the Brits!! AS if they would know. I think it's just hard for Brits to listen to one of their own speaking "in American." The way I would have a hard time listening to a well known American actor speak "British"--no matter how good his accent was.

Feel exactly the same as Margareth about your Hugh Laurie comment It's indeed always the Brits that can't get used to him doing the American accent. The US media and even US actors always praise him for it, though.

i am scottish (sortof british) and i lived in the us for 8 years...personally i think hugh lauries american accent is cool and have no problem with it at all!

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters