About The Knick

The Knick, released in 2014, is a compelling drama TV series directed by Steven Soderbergh. The show is set in the 1900s at the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City, known as The Knick. It portrays the professional and personal lives of the hospital’s doctors and nurses while dealing with pioneering medical procedures and racial discrimination of the era.

Making / Production

The show was directed and produced by Steven Soderbergh, with Clive Owen also serving as a producer. The script was written by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler. Despite the show's period setting, Soderbergh chose to shoot in a modern style using hand-held cameras to give the series a unique aesthetic.

Actors

• Clive Owen plays Dr. John Thackery, a brilliant but drug-addicted surgeon. Owen brought depth to the character's obsessions and eccentricities.
• André Holland as Dr. Algernon Edwards, an African American surgeon who must fight for respect in a racially charged environment. Holland performed this role with passion and complexity.
• Juliet Rylance portrays Cornelia Robertson, the daughter of a hospital benefactor, imbuing her character with a quiet strength and determination.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series accurately re-created New York in the 1900s, including the use of horse-drawn carriages and vintage medical equipment.
• Clive Owen has spoken about how the surgical scenes were rehearsed like choreography to make them realistic.

Awards

The series has been nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor (Clive Owen) and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Design.

Quotes

• "There's been a staggering hemorrhage of talent from this city. We're going to change that." - Dr. John Thackery
• "You'd be surprised what happens when you put something off just because it's difficult." - Nurse Lucy Elkins

Music, Soundtrack

• The series' haunting and evocative score was composed by Cliff Martinez.
• Noteworthy tracks include "Son of Placenta Previa," "Finish Your Breakfast" and "Circus Medicine."