
New Amsterdam is a medical drama series that first aired on NBC in 2018. The show is centred around the fictional New Amsterdam Hospital, led by Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold). While the hospital is not real, it is based on Bellevue Hospital in New York City, the oldest hospital in the US. The show's creator, David Schulner, based the series on the book 'Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital', written by Bellevue's former medical director, Dr. Eric Manheimer. Dr. Manheimer also served as a producer and writer on the show, and the character of Dr. Max Goodwin is based on him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the hospital in the show | New Amsterdam Hospital |
| Real-life hospital the show is based on | Bellevue Hospital, New York City |
| Real-life person the show is based on | Dr. Eric Manheimer |
| Real-life book that inspired the show | Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital |
| Real-life locations used for filming | Bellevue Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital Center, Woodhull Hospital, and Kings County Hospital Center |
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What You'll Learn
- New Amsterdam Hospital is fictional, inspired by Bellevue Hospital
- The show is based on a book by former Bellevue chief medical officer, Dr. Eric Manheimer
- Dr. Max Goodwin is based on Dr. Eric Manheimer
- The show was filmed in real hospitals, including Bellevue
- New Amsterdam focuses on the difficulties of running a hospital

New Amsterdam Hospital is fictional, inspired by Bellevue Hospital
New Amsterdam Hospital is a fictional facility based on Bellevue Hospital in New York City. Bellevue Hospital is the oldest hospital in the United States, having opened in 1736 as a small infirmary with only a few beds. Over the years, it expanded into a large medical treatment centre with modern facilities.
The medical drama New Amsterdam is inspired by the real-life experiences of Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as the chief medical officer of Bellevue Hospital for 15 years. After leaving his position in 2012, Dr. Manheimer wrote a book titled "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital," which became the main source of inspiration for the TV series. The show's protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin, is modelled after Dr. Manheimer, including their shared battle with throat cancer.
To enhance the authenticity of the series, filming took place in and around Bellevue Hospital, as well as other hospitals in New York City. This blend of real-world locations and fictional storytelling contributed to the show's realistic portrayal of hospital operations and procedures.
While New Amsterdam Hospital is not a real place, its fictional setting is brought to life through its inspiration from Bellevue Hospital and the incorporation of real-life elements, creating a believable and engaging medical drama.
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The show is based on a book by former Bellevue chief medical officer, Dr. Eric Manheimer
The American medical drama "New Amsterdam" is based on the real-life experiences of former Bellevue Hospital chief medical officer, Dr. Eric Manheimer. The show's protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin, is inspired by Manheimer, who worked at Bellevue for 15 years before retiring in 2012.
The fictional New Amsterdam Hospital is based on Bellevue, the oldest hospital in the United States, located in New York City. Bellevue opened in 1736 as a small infirmary with just a few beds and grew into a massive medical treatment center. The show is filmed on location at Bellevue and other New York City hospitals, contributing to its authenticity.
Dr. Manheimer's book, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital," is the main inspiration for the series. The book is based on his years of journaling observations and stories of patients during his time at Bellevue. Manheimer's dedication to improving patients' lives and his battle with throat cancer, which is also depicted in the show, influenced the character of Dr. Goodwin.
In an interview with TV Insider, Dr. Manheimer shared his involvement in the show's creation: "Ryan [Eggold] and I have had a lot of conversations about the kinds of issues that come up, the conflicts, the ethical, and moral dilemmas." Manheimer's real-life experiences and insights helped shape the narrative and provided a unique perspective on the challenges faced by doctors and hospitals.
The show's focus on the inner workings of the hospital and the hardships of running an understaffed and underfunded institution set it apart from other medical dramas. While the show is fictionalized, its roots in the real-world experiences of Dr. Manheimer and the rich history of Bellevue Hospital give it a sense of authenticity that has resonated with viewers.
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Dr. Max Goodwin is based on Dr. Eric Manheimer
Dr. Max Goodwin of New Amsterdam is based on Dr. Eric Manheimer, who was the medical director and chief medical officer at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The fictional New Amsterdam Hospital is also based on Bellevue Hospital, the oldest hospital in the US, where Dr. Manheimer worked for 15 years.
Dr. Goodwin, portrayed by Ryan Eggold, is the new medical director of New Amsterdam Hospital, where he aims to reduce bureaucracy and provide the best medical care possible. Similarly, Dr. Manheimer's memoir, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital," served as the inspiration for the series and chronicled his experiences treating patients, battling cancer, and dealing with personal issues while working at Bellevue.
In the series, Dr. Goodwin faces challenges such as a cancer diagnosis, the loss of his wife, and navigating relationships with hospital staff. These storylines mirror Dr. Manheimer's real-life experiences, including his battle with throat cancer and the loss of his sister, Luna, at a young age.
The creation of the show involved Dr. Manheimer as a writer and producer, and he even made a cameo appearance, connecting the fictional world of New Amsterdam with its real-world inspiration. Many of the show's plotlines and themes are inspired by Dr. Manheimer's stories and experiences, showcasing the challenges and rewards of working in a hospital setting.
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The show was filmed in real hospitals, including Bellevue
The show New Amsterdam is based on a real hospital, and its production took place in real hospitals in New York, including Bellevue Hospital. The fictional New Amsterdam Hospital is inspired by Bellevue, the oldest hospital in the US, which was founded in 1736 as a small infirmary with only a few beds.
Bellevue Hospital, located in New York City, is the primary filming location for the show. The hospital's unmistakable lobby and overall setting lend authenticity to the series. The show's creators chose to film in actual hospitals to make the events in the series more believable and the hospital setting more realistic.
In addition to Bellevue, other hospitals in New York City served as filming locations for New Amsterdam. These include Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, and Kings County Hospital, also in Brooklyn. The show's production in these hospitals not only added to the authenticity of the series but also brought monetary benefits to New York's healthcare system.
The show's main character, Dr. Max Goodwin, is based on a real doctor named Eric Manheimer, who served as the chief medical officer of Bellevue Hospital for 15 years. The storylines in the show are also inspired by Manheimer's experiences and observations during his time at Bellevue, as documented in his memoir and notebooks.
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New Amsterdam focuses on the difficulties of running a hospital
New Amsterdam is a medical drama series that focuses on the difficulties of running a hospital. The show is based on a fictional hospital called New Amsterdam Hospital, which is inspired by Bellevue Hospital in New York City, the oldest hospital in the country.
The series centres around Dr. Max Goodwin, who is appointed as the medical director of New Amsterdam Hospital and sets out to improve the reputation and functioning of the hospital. Some of his decisions are controversial, but they ultimately help to make the hospital better. For example, he fires the entire cardiac surgical department due to its high infection and death rate, except for Dr. Reynold, who becomes the new head of the department. Goodwin also eliminates the waiting room in the emergency department at the request of Dr. Bloom.
The character of Dr. Max Goodwin is inspired by the real-life Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as the chief medical officer of Bellevue Hospital for 15 years before retiring in 2012. Manheimer also battled throat cancer, just like his on-screen counterpart. After leaving Bellevue, he wrote a book titled "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital," which inspired the New Amsterdam series. Manheimer is credited as a writer and producer for the show and consulted on medical storylines.
The show is filmed on location in real hospitals, including Bellevue, to add to its authenticity. By showcasing the challenges of running a hospital, New Amsterdam offers a unique perspective within the medical drama genre, providing a more holistic view of the healthcare system and the dedication of those working to improve it.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the New Amsterdam Hospital is a fictional facility.
Yes, the show's New Amsterdam Hospital is based on Bellevue Hospital in New York City, which is the oldest hospital in the US.
New Amsterdam is filmed on location in real hospitals, including Bellevue Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital Center, Woodhull Hospital, and Kings County Hospital Center.
Yes, Dr. Max Goodwin is based on Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as the chief medical officer of Bellevue Hospital for 15 years.
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