New Amsterdam ended a year and a half ago, but NBC is already cooking up a spinoff (which will only be successful if one original cast member returns). The NBC medical drama television show, created by David Schulner, was based on Eric Manheimer’s 2012 book Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital. It follows the doctors at New Amsterdam Hospital, a fictional hospital inspired by Bellevue Hospital in New York City, New York, with Dr. Max Goodwin, played by Ryan Eggold in the New Amsterdam cast, as the show’s main character.

New Amsterdam ran for five seasons before ending in January 2023. However, Schulner is seemingly not ready to let go of this universe as he is developing an NBC sequel series set 30 years after the events of the original show. It’s titled New Amsterdam: Tomorrow (subject to change) and will follow Max’s daughter Luna, who is all grown up and working as New Amsterdam Hospital’s Medical Director. According to Deadline, the spinoff will dive deep into its futuristic themes, even including the ways artificial intelligence could help advance medicine in the future.

Ryan Eggold’s Max Goodwin Is Needed For New Amsterdam Sequel

Max Is At The Center Of New Amsterdam’s Story

The spinoff’s premise isn’t too surprising, given how New Amsterdam‘s series finale ended with a flash-forward to Luna taking over Max’s job at the hospital. However, if NBC orders New Amsterdam: Tomorrow, Ryan Eggold’s return as Max would be a necessity. Eggold’s character was the heart and soul of the original medical drama, and even though the show’s quality quickly declined near the end, Max was always a bright spot in the episodes. His presence (no matter how big or small) in the spinoff would elevate it, and entice fans to watch.

It would also be strange if Max was nowhere to be found in New Amsterdam: Tomorrow given that his daughter (who has yet to be cast) is the main character. Yes, Eggold would likely have to sit in the makeup chair for a long time as the artists applied aging makeup. Nevertheless, Dr. Max Goodwin and New Amsterdam go hand-in-hand, and the sequel series can only work if he’s involved.

Max Could Help Shape Luna’s Arc on New Amsterdam Sequel

Max Could Be A Supporting Character

Ryan Eggold doesn’t need to sign on as a series regular in the spinoff. Max could just occasionally appear in the episodes as a supporting character whose main purpose is to help shape Luna’s story, given that he doesn’t work at the hospital anymore. Ultimately, it would make all the difference in the world if the upcoming New Amsterdam sequel series featured Eggold reprising his role as Dr. Max Goodwin. Otherwise, the spinoff will likely fall flat.

Source: Deadline