Steven Soderbergh’s medical drama THE KNICK, which ran for two seasons on Cinemax from 2014-2016 just lined up a chance to create a sequel series. The original followed Dr. John W. Thackery (Clive Owen) and the staff at a fictionalized version of the Knickerbocker Hospital (the Knick) in New York during the early twentieth century. The actor André Holland (pictured) will be the focal character as he reprises his Dr. Algernon C. Edward persona. In the original Algernon was an African-American assistant chief surgeon at the Knick. He managed a secret after-hours clinic in the basement for African-Americans, who ordinarily were turned away from the hospital.
The main director will not be Soderbergh but Barry Jenkins. He manned such works as If Beale Street Could Talk and wrote HBO Max’s upcoming CHARM CITY KINGS and has a number of award nominations and wins. Tied to the original Soderbergh series are creators Jack Amiel and Michael Begler. They wrote the majority of THE KNICK scripts and are penning the sequel as well. It is said that a pilot script has already been seen.
Soderbergh told The Playlist that “[André and Barry] came up with a really great approach with Jack and Michael,” Soderbergh told the publication. “And that seems to be advancing rapidly. I just read the pilot, which is terrific.”
CINEMAX is supposedly out of the original series business so the sequel could make it onto HBO and HBO Max at some point. The original show generated enough buzz that the series started the integration of CINEMAX titles onto what was HBONow back then. Sadly, THE KNICK cannot be found on either HBO site, none of the CINEMAX content can. If the sequel takes off perhaps THE KNICK will accompany it. We will keep you informed.
Would you be interested in a return to The Knickerbocker Hospital?
