ER

ER, American television medical drama that aired on NBC from 1994 to 2009. The show, created by best-selling novelist Michael Crichton and producer John Wells, was one of the highest-rated programs on television.

ER centered on the emergency room doctors, nurses, and staff of County General Hospital, a fictional level-one trauma center in Chicago. Known for its intensity, the series examined the fierce challenges and life-and-death decisions the staff faced on a daily basis in their busy metropolitan facility. Although medical emergencies regularly figured into the show’s main plot, the narrative was also driven by other tensions. Some of these, such as crowded waiting rooms, staff shortages, and training new doctors, related to the practice of medicine, but other plot elements dealt with the characters’ personal lives and relationships.

The show is set almost entirely inside the hospital, with occasional scenes taking place elsewhere. Following the program’s debut, the cast saw a complete turnover, with character departures caused by dramatic deaths (one was murdered by a patient) and emotional (and often sudden) resignations and terminations. High-profile guest stars, including Ewan McGregor, Steve Buscemi, James Woods, and Sally Field, were another staple of ER’s success.

Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.

SIGN UP

" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">

Thank you for signing up!"

Back to homepage

By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Britannica Quiz

Pop Culture Quiz

In the mid- to late 1990s the series was the top-rated show on American television, boasting upward of 30 million viewers and winning many Emmy Awards, though its following significantly declined in later seasons. After 15 seasons on air, ER ended in 2009.

ER provided a breakthrough for several of its cast members, most notably George Clooney, whose role as Dr. Doug Ross in the first five seasons propelled him to fame. In addition, Julianna Margulies’s portrayal of head nurse Carol Hathaway in the first six seasons made her a TV star, and Noah Wyle’s Dr. John Carter, the longest running original character, became a fan favorite. Other actors whose careers were boosted by stints on ER included Eriq La Salle (1994–2001, 2002, 2009), Maura Tierney (1999–2009), and Goran Visnjic (1999–2008).