What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedNew Amsterdam
David Schulner · Series · 2018
If you loved New Amsterdam, start with The Good Nurse (Tobias Lindholm, 2022) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 2 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to New Amsterdam across media.
If you loved New Amsterdam, you are likely drawn to stories where individuals courageously challenge broken systems to prioritize human dignity.
Books on the same thread
The Good Doctor
Damon Galgut · Book · 2010
Explores: Post-Colonialism, Race Relations, Disillusionment.
Much like the staff at New Amsterdam, these doctors grapple with the friction between idealistic medical reform and the harsh, bureaucratic realities of a struggling public hospital system.
Being Mortal
Atul Gawande · Book
Explores: mortality, end-of-life care, systemic healthcare reform.
This exploration of medical failures mirrors the central mission of New Amsterdam, focusing on how systemic reform is necessary to truly serve patients at their most vulnerable moments.
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Atul Gawande · Book · 2015
Explores: Mortality, Aging, Dying.
Just as Max Goodwin strives to improve patient outcomes, this work examines the ethical imperative for doctors to shift their focus toward quality of life and compassionate care.
Washington Black
Esi Edugyan · Book · 2018
Explores: Slavery, Scientific Discovery, Identity.
While set in a different era, the spirit of scientific discovery and the fight for identity against oppressive structures will resonate with fans of New Amsterdam's advocacy.
Films on the same thread
The Good Nurse
Tobias Lindholm · Film · 2022
Explores: Hospital Setting, Moral Dilemma, Systemic Corruption.
If the systemic corruption Max Goodwin fought in New Amsterdam captured your attention, you will find this tense portrayal of institutional failure and moral courage equally gripping and vital.
Patch Adams
Tom Shadyac · Film · 1998
Explores: The Power of Laughter, Unconventional Medicine, Challenging the System.
Patch Adams serves as a direct spiritual predecessor to Max Goodwin, championing the same unconventional, human-first approach to medicine that defines the ethos of New Amsterdam.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The focus on social justice and systemic inequality that drives New Amsterdam is expanded here, providing a necessary historical context for the issues of inequity today.
Scamanda
Lionsgate Sound · Podcast · 2025
This deep dive into the manipulation of medical narratives highlights the fragility of trust in healthcare, a stark contrast to the radical transparency pursued in New Amsterdam.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is New Amsterdam based on a true story about a public hospital?
New Amsterdam is a television series created by David Schulner that focuses on the medical director of America's oldest public hospital. While the show explores the challenges of providing exceptional care within a bureaucratic system, it is a fictional narrative centered on the character of Dr. Max Goodwin.
What is the primary goal of Dr. Max Goodwin in New Amsterdam?
In New Amsterdam, Dr. Max Goodwin aims to tear up the bureaucracy at the hospital to provide better care for patients. He frequently challenges the status quo and the skepticism of his staff by asking how he can help solve problems, regardless of how large or small they are.
How does the staff respond to the leadership style in New Amsterdam?
The doctors and staff in New Amsterdam are initially unsure if Dr. Max Goodwin can succeed in his mission. Because they have heard promises of change before, they are skeptical of his rule-breaking approach to fixing the hospital system and his refusal to accept no for an answer.
Is New Amsterdam focused on the personal lives of the doctors?
The premise of New Amsterdam centers on the institutional challenges of the hospital and the efforts of the new medical director to reform the system. The show highlights the tension between Dr. Max Goodwin and his staff as they react to his unconventional methods of providing patient care.