‘Brilliant Minds’ Boss Previews ‘Epic’ Finale: ‘We Ended on Such a Strong Note’

Part hospital soap, part medical mystery, Brilliant Minds, the fascinating drama inspired by real-life British neurologist Oliver Sacks comes to an end with an hour packing even more emotion than usual. Which is saying a lot, given how much of Season 2 has centered on the distressing mental breakdown of Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) and his inspirational recovery.

“He did some of his best work yet in these last six episodes,” raves showrunner Michael Grassi of his leading man. “You’re not going to get a bad performance, but when you give him something really great, you just get something next level. He’s just so good and he really delivers.”

According to Grassi, the finale — which wasn’t meant to be a series ender — does, too. Thanks to a visit from a pair of Hollywood treasures.

“It’s so good, and epic,” he teases of the final hour, which was filmed before NBC pulled the plug back in May. “We have Ed Begley Jr. and Anne Archer coming in [as guest stars], which is so exciting,” he adds. “Working with those two was such a gift.”

Pief Weyman/NBC

The pair drop in as Duke and Bonnie Nichols, the parents of Bronx General’s Chief Medical Officer Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears). Together with Josh’s sister Serena (Amanda Walsh), the family arrives not so much for a reunion as for a diagnosis. Turns out Duke has been showing signs of escalating dementia, leading Josh to recruit his on-again-off-again beau Oliver to help sort out his dad’s symptoms. And while that unsettling situation is an all-too-tragic reality for some, Grassi has crafted a storyline that is both deeply sentimental and showcases Minds’ always optimistic approach to addressing mental health issues. Fittingly, the treatment they come up with (recreating a baseball game from Papa Nichols’ past to jumpstart his memories) also allows the cast of this underrated series a chance to have some damn fun after a very trying run of episodes.

“I think that definitely [our characters have] been through a lot this season and we’re telling a really nuanced story about what is it like for one of our doctors to struggle with their mental health, but I think Brilliant Minds at the end of the day is a hopeful show and we always find those moments within each episode,” he says. “[We are] gearing toward some hopeful notes and some surprises. We have to have some fun twists in there.”

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Unfortunately, the bizarre neuro ailments and Bronx General dramas won’t continue past this point, but it sounds like Grassi will be holding memories of Minds close to his heart for years to come. “I went to Toronto for the last couple of episodes and was probably there for maybe like a month,” he shares. “And the set was just in a different gear and it was so fun to be there for the end.”

Pointing out that he’s worked on shows with 20-episodes orders like Riverdale, he admits that filming fatigue is real. “Towards the end of the season, it gets hard and people get tired. But I’ll say, the vibes were so high and we ended on such a strong note, such a high note, it was just such a lovefest. Everyone loved making the show, so we ended in a really sweet place.”

Brilliant Minds, Series Finale, Wednesday, July 1, 8/7c, NBC