‘Brilliant Minds’ Boss Says Oliver Sacks’ Life Inspired Premiere’s Big Twist: ‘There’s a Lot to Dig Into’

Michael Grassi tells TheWrap about centering the NBC procedural on a gay lead and teases “fun twists” throughout the season

Brilliant-Minds
Zachary Quinto in "Brilliant Minds" (Rafy/NBC)

Note: This story contains spoilers from the “Brilliant Minds” series premiere.

“Brilliant Minds” introduces Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf, a neurologist whose unique life and skillset is loosely drawn from the acclaimed Oliver Sacks — down to the complex relationships laid out the NBC procedural’s pilot.

“It’s a contemporary version of that character, but it’s not biographical,” showrunner Michael Grassi told TheWrap. “Oliver Sacks lived such a … robust, incredible life and to have that as inspiration, and as a jumping off point has been so helpful … to build this really fascinating character at the center of our medical show.”

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