‘The Resident’: Malcolm-Jamal Warner Would Do a Revival ‘in a Heartbeat’
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Medical dramas are all the rage right now, and so we can’t help but think about one of our favorites that was canceled too soon: The Resident, which ran six seasons on Fox until 2023.
For most of its run, Malcolm-Jamal Warner starred as surgeon AJ Austin (he was introduced in the last three episodes of Season 1), and so when TV Insider recently spoke with him for his new role on Alert: Missing Persons Unit, we had to have him look back.
What stands out to you about The Resident when you look back?
Malcolm-Jamal Warner: I have to say that The Resident was definitely one of my top favorite roles. I always get cast as the nice guy, the sweet guy, the good guy. What I really loved about AJ is that though he was still a good guy at heart, he never concerned himself with being a nice guy. I love the fact that he was so comfortable in his skin and so comfortable with his truths, that it was more important for him to tell you the truth than be concerned with how the truth is going to land on you. My responsibility is to give you the truth, and now your responsibility is how you handle that.
People are now finding it on streaming. Why do you think people still love the show as much as they do?
I was never a medical drama person, but just for me as an audience, there was something really engaging about, I think, just the concept of The Resident in terms of really dealing, going heads on with the less pleasant aspects of the medical industry. And I think that’s something that really resonated and resonates with people because everyone has a story about a hospital mishap. And for this show to deal with the mishaps, to deal with the coverups, to deal with the bureaucracy of the medical industry I think was really important for people to engage in.
Guy D’Alema/FOX
What do you wish you’d gotten a chance to do on there before it ended?
Marry Mina [Shaunette Renée Wilson].
Yeah, it took so long…
I know, yeah.
People were really rooting for that relationship, too.
Yeah, I have to say Bruce [Greenwood] and Matt [Czuchry] are, I mean, those are still my guys. We still keep in touch. We still see each other. I love those guys. But I have to say that before Shaunette left, our on-camera work was my favorite part of coming to work.
What do you think it is about that relationship that resonates with people?
I think there’s something about AJ’s cockiness and Mina’s confidence and independence and because they worked so well together and they were so good as human beings together, that everyone wanted to see that really become something. I think human beings crave that. And to see that with these two extraordinary surgeons, it’s just a great story.
Would you do a revival?
Yes. In a heartbeat. I think we would all [do it] in a heartbeat because also we really have such a genuine respect for one another as actors, as people. So we really enjoyed working together, being together as a cast. We would spend time together outside of the show. So I think everyone would happily come back for a reunion.
What would you like to do if there was one?
I don’t know. It would be amazing if there was a reunion, we got together and somehow we cured cancer.
I mean, if any doctors can, I feel like…
It would be The Resident team. [Laughs]
The Resident, Streaming now, Hulu and Netflix
Conversation37 Comments
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Yes, yes please make revival of The Resident, it was so good I really got all caught up in everyone’s drama and I loved all the characters! I was so sad when it ended, I would be so happy if it was to return with new episodes!!
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This show was so good! Please bring it back!!
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C
I absolutely loved this show, especially Malcolm's Raptor role. Hell the whole cast was amazing. Please bring it back!!!
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Omgosh please renew this show!!! The Resident is my favorite medical drama EVER! I'm in healthcare, & the storylines are so believable & accurate; it's honestly refreshing. Not to mention the cast is easy on the eyes! 👀😍🥵🤣 I'm still addicted to watching, so for all that's right & true in the world of medicine, please listen to Dr. AJ Austin here & get this band back together for more of the Resident ASAP!!! I'm holding my breath till Conrad, Devon, AJ & Dr. Bell save me! I'd even love being treated by those Rockstar women (Leela, Billie, Kit, Nurses Jessica & Hundley, Cade, & of course gone but never forgotten Nic & Mina ♥️). I'm totally a superfan! 🦸♀️💉🩸🩺💊🩹🩻🏥🚑
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I just watched this this show is fantastic need to bring it back stop canceling great shows.
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Great Great show! Would love to see it come back.
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I started watching and couldn’t stop! Staying up most of the night to continue watching the show! Wish the Resident would return and continue their journey!
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B
ditto
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Loved the show. Found it on Netflix. The cast was great.
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Bring back the Resident for new seasons! Great show
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My favourites drama series EVER!! Love all the characters, especially AJ 🥰 and great story lines which were a real eye opener!! Some of the dilemmas that we in the UK don't have to face, thanks to our NHS
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Bring it back!!!!!!!!!
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I am so disappointed this series wasn't renewed..I watched the first episode of PULSE and was very disappointed. They didn't have the believability THE RESIDENT had. The doctor in training, Danny, was arrogant even though she was plain looking..no comparison to The Resident as far as acting goes. Pulse appeared to be a bunch of sparky, full of themselves teenagers. RESIDENT had class, pulse didn't
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Yes I love this show Please Bring it Back with more seasons shoo I wanna be part of it with my life of health. I watched it while I was sick real bad the characters relationship progress the care to treat people was phenomenal of course I know it’s entertainment but I LOVE IT! BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK!!!😊😊😊
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One of the medical dramas i got hooked up with 🙂 it ended too soon, so I really wish it would come back !
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B
That was such a great show.
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I love this show. I was so engaged and loved all the people in it. It was so real & very authentic. And yes Malcolm -Jamal Warmer; he played the "hell" out of his character. Just like he said in his interview, it was so different then what we all was use to. I'm such a fan of him. I hope there would be a reunion or comeback. They do have a similar show to The resident that one of my charge nurse was telling me about on I think Max called "The Pitt", it's cool, but I defenitely love "The resident" better; which I have watched the whole season twice now. PLEASE HAVE A REUNION , SPINOFF ETC. Thanks for a grear show!!
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I fell in love with the whole cast! Every one of the actors did an amazing job! I hated it when Nic died and Mina left the show. That little girl Gigi stole my heart! I was so heartbroken when the show ended. Please if you can't revive the show at least start a new show but use the same actors in a different senerio with different names.
Much love to the whole cast and crew of The Resident!🥰❤
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My absolute favorite show. I wish it didnt end
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Oh I loved this show so much, it's the only programme I watched when the TV went on, totally addicted. All the characters are amazing, Bring It Back NOW please!! We want MORE!! ♥️
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I would love for the Resident to come back! Loved everyone on the show!
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... I would watch it in a heartbeat!!! I absolutely loved The Resident.
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C
Please bring it back!!! I just found the show and have watched all episodes lol
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It is was one of the best shows out there. Amazing cast 👏
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Please do a revival, I LOVED the resident, would love so watch more seasons🤩🤩🤩
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We would love to see this show come back!!
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OMG…PLEASE PLEASE bring The Resident back …and real soon !!
Karen B FL
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I would love if my favorite show comes back I'm sad it end 😭 bring the show back
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Yes!!! I would love to watch more of the resident. Nothing compares to the cast and the entire show.
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Absolutely Loved the show and MJW!
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I couldn't get enough of The Resident. I'm so sad there's no more. Please make another series?!?
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If they would not bring Nic back then I don't care to see the revivial. I have NO desire to see Conrad and Billie together. NO thanks.
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I binged this show and it is amazing. Knee was constantly shaking. I need Mina and AJ back together. I need yall to return for a reunion please!
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Please bring this show back. We are watching the series for the second time because it is that great. Pls bring back Mina. AJ is lonely.
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B
I LOVED this series. All of the cast were amazing. I would love to see a revival.
It would be nice to see Mina & AJ together and have the cast do a Doctors without Boarders theme and work with Mina to set up a hospital
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V
I found it on Netflix and plowed through all 6 seasons in about a month! Loved it. Also, I am an Atlanta native and enjoyed seeing filmed here. Knowing the High Museum, Memorial Arts Center and the neighborhood it was filmed in added to the excitement of watching it! I’m a season ticket holder for the Atlanta Symphony next door to the High. It was just fun! I really wish they would bring it back!!
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Love it! Bring the Resident series back! One of the best series ever 💞
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