NBC’s Brilliant Minds is expanding its cast ahead of season two — and John Clarence Stewart is officially checking in.
The Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and P-Valley actor joins the ensemble as Dr. Anthony Thorne, a sharp-tongued, seasoned ER doctor with a working-class view of medicine. While Thorne isn’t one for sentimentality, his belief in “helping a little for all rather than doing the most for a few” immediately puts him at odds with Dr. Oliver Wolf — the brilliant but unorthodox neurologist played by Zachary Quinto.
Inspired by the life and work of neurologist and author Oliver Sacks, Brilliant Minds follows Dr. Wolf and his team of interns as they explore the complexities of the human brain — all while navigating their own mental health and personal relationships.
Stewart joins returning cast members Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Teddy Sears, and Donna Murphy.
Also joining this season is Brian Altemus (Shelter, The Time Traveler’s Wife), who will play Dr. Charlie Porter — a competitive new neurology resident who treats medicine like a high-stakes sport. His guarded nature and mysterious past may spell trouble for the already high-pressure team dynamic.
Season 2 premieres this September on NBC.
The series is created by Michael Grassi, who serves as writer and executive producer alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Henrik Bastin, Andy Serkis, Jonathan Cavendish, and Will Tennant. Brilliant Minds is produced by Berlanti Productions, Fabel Entertainment, The Imaginarium, Grassi Productions, and Tavala, in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television.
Stewart’s previous credits include Luke Cage, What/If, 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Good Fight, Blue Bloods, and Hawaii Five-O, among others. He recently starred in A Killer Romance for Tubi and played the title role in Jelly’s Last Jam at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Altemus has appeared in Grand Army, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, the 2024 Mean Girls movie, and the Sundance breakout Never Rarely Sometimes Always.