St. Denis Medical Returns for Season 2 with Unexpected Twists and Familiar Faces

The beloved mockumentary series “St. Denis Medical” is making its highly anticipated return for a second season, bringing viewers back to the chaotic yet endearing world of an underfunded Oregon hospital. As the new trailer reveals, Joyce, played by the ever-charming Wendi McLendon-Covey, welcomes the documentary crew back with a telling statement: “A lot has happened since you were gone.” Indeed, the upcoming season promises to deliver even more hilarious antics and unexpected developments at St. Denis Regional Medical Center. Among the more unusual additions to the hospital is a professional therapy horse, which creates some messy situations—quite literally—as the horse’s “code brown” incidents become yet another responsibility for Matt (Mekki Leeper) to handle. This unpredictable new element perfectly captures the show’s blend of absurd situations and workplace humor that made its first season such a hit.

The camaraderie and playful dynamics between characters remain central to the show’s charm. In one particularly amusing scene from the trailer, Bruce (Josh Lawson) engages in a playful mock-capture scenario with Matt, who responds with the offbeat threat to “lick his way out.” Meanwhile, the beloved Ron (David Alan Grier) returns with his colorful tropical shirts and trademark wisdom, reminding Alex (Allison Tolman) that “talking smack about each other is like 90 percent of what we do here”—a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the show’s workplace dynamic. The preview also showcases Joyce’s unique approach to leadership as she conducts an impromptu self-defense class for her staff, advising them to place keys between their knuckles as a defensive measure and adding the comedic warning that “if your attacker is a female, a key fob is no vacation either.” These moments highlight the show’s strength in finding humor in the everyday challenges faced by healthcare workers while maintaining its distinct mockumentary style.

Since its premiere in 2024, “St. Denis Medical” has carved out its own space in the mockumentary landscape by focusing on the trials and tribulations of healthcare professionals trying to provide care despite limited resources. The second season looks to expand on this foundation with an impressive lineup of guest stars including Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix, comedian Kristen Schaal, Frankie Quiñones, Lauren Lapkus, Jeremiah Brown, and others who will bring fresh energy to the hospital halls. The series has successfully captured the challenges of working in an underfunded healthcare facility while maintaining a light-hearted tone that allows viewers to connect with the characters’ struggles and triumphs. This balance between realistic workplace issues and comedic exaggeration has helped the show develop a devoted following that eagerly anticipates each new development at St. Denis.

The mockumentary format provides a unique storytelling approach that the cast has embraced wholeheartedly. Kahyun Kim, who plays Serena, shared with Us Weekly how much she enjoys the format: “It’s so fun to be in a mockumentary. I cherish the moments where I get to look into the camera and have that relationship. Especially with Serena, it’s really fun because she’s so honest and you can really tell how she feels from her face. I love having that connection with the audience in that way.” This direct connection with viewers creates an intimate experience that breaks the fourth wall and invites the audience to feel like insiders at St. Denis. Similarly, Mekki Leeper expressed his enthusiasm about being part of this style of show, saying, “I grew up wanting to be on a show like The Office or Parks and Recreation. Then I think there were some years where they weren’t making as many of those types of shows. It took somebody like Quinta Brunson [from Abbott Elementary] to blow open the doors again for shows like this to be popular.” His comment acknowledges how “St. Denis Medical” is part of a welcome resurgence of the mockumentary format that had previously defined some of television’s most beloved comedies.

The cast has revealed that one of the most interesting challenges of working on “St. Denis Medical” is adapting to the mockumentary style, particularly remembering to acknowledge the camera when appropriate. Kim admitted it took some adjustment but eventually came to love it: “It took a hot second to get used to. Personally—for me—once I got used to it, I took any moment I could to look into the camera. I love it. It’s so fun to explore that space that I never got to because we’re so used to hearing, ‘Don’t look into the camera.’ So it’s a blast for me.” This unique aspect of production creates opportunities for the actors to develop their characters in ways traditional sitcoms don’t allow. Leeper expanded on this idea, noting that the format offers “an extra dimension” for character development: “You have this whole bonus space that is never available and you can put truly whatever you want in it. It’s different for everybody because Wendi looks at the camera differently than David does.” He explained how each character’s relationship with the camera reflects their personality—Ron and Serena appear exhausted by their colleagues, Joyce tries to present the hospital in the best light possible, and Matt is perpetually caught in embarrassing situations. This additional layer of performance adds richness to the storytelling and allows for more direct comedic moments with the audience.

As “St. Denis Medical” prepares to return to NBC on Monday, November 3, at 8 p.m. ET with two back-to-back episodes (before streaming the next day on Peacock), fans can look forward to reconnecting with the dedicated yet quirky staff of St. Denis Regional Medical Center. The second season promises to build upon the foundation established in its debut year while introducing new challenges, guest stars, and outlandish situations that test the limits of the hospital’s overworked staff. Through its authentic portrayal of workplace dynamics, absurdist humor, and heartfelt moments, the show continues the tradition of great workplace comedies while adding its own unique perspective on the healthcare system. Whether dealing with therapy horses leaving unwanted surprises, improvised self-defense classes, or the daily struggles of providing care with limited resources, the characters of “St. Denis Medical” navigate their professional and personal lives with humor and heart—reminding viewers why they fell in love with these healthcare heroes in the first place. As the cameras once again roll at St. Denis, audiences can expect to laugh, empathize, and perhaps gain a new appreciation for the real-life medical professionals who inspire this entertaining fictional world.