Brilliant Minds Season 1 is almost over! To prepare for the final two episodes we sat down with DeMane Davis, executive producer and director of the show, to talk about her experience directing this innovative production inspired by the life and work of renowned neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, and how the series not only seeks to entertain but also to transform the way we understand mental health and human connection. Ready?
Here we go!
Breaking Stigmas About Mental Health
Davis highlighted how special it was to join the creative team, led by Michael Grassi, the showrunner of the series. “Michael is one of the kindest people I have ever worked with,” said Davis, who even shared a dinner with Grassi and his family. The director emphasized that her vision behind the project was clear: to create a series that, like Dr. Sacks’ work, would help demystify mental health. According to Davis, Brilliant Minds aims to reduce fear around mental health issues and foster greater understanding, which, as she notes, “allows for connection and healing.”
During the six months of production, Davis was impressed by the team’s commitment, both cast and crew, to telling such a meaningful story. What truly sets Brilliant Minds apart from other medical dramas is its patient-centered approach beyond the illness. Davis reflected on how, in our society, it’s easy to empathize with someone who has a visible physical ailment, such as a broken arm, but the same is not true for mental illness. “When someone acts erratically or outside of social norms, our reaction is often to walk away or label them with derogatory terms,” she explained.
The series, like Dr. Sacks in his practice, doesn’t simply seek to solve cases with a quick diagnosis or a miracle pill. Instead, it “shows a deeply human approach, exploring how patients can live their best possible lives even when there is no definitive cure.” Davis stressed that Sacks took the time to get to know his patients, visiting them in their homes and observing how their environment influenced their well-being. “This level of care is what makes Brilliant Minds unique, different from other medical dramas that focus on immediate solutions,” she said.
The director also shared a personal anecdote about her frustration with a medical approach that prioritizes prescribing drugs over understanding the individual. For Davis, this tendency stands in stark contrast to Sacks’ philosophy, who asked himself, how can I help you?” That seemingly simple but often forgotten question is at the core of the series’ message. With Brilliant Minds, Davis and her team not only pay tribute to Dr. Sacks’ legacy but also invite us to reflect on our relationship with empathy and mental health. “When we understand, we connect. And when we connect, we can heal,” Davis concluded.
MORE: Here are the reviews for Brilliant Minds episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, and episode 4.
The Art of Directing in Brilliant Minds
In Brilliant Minds, each episode is a unique chapter within a rich and emotionally complex narrative. For DeMane Davis, who directed the third episode and the season finale, taking on the role of director at such different times in the series was an exciting challenge that she approached with creativity and a vision of her own.
Directing the third episode, after the stunning introduction created by Lee Toland Krieger in the pilot, represented a key moment for Davis. “The pilot is beautiful, just stunning, but I was not part of that initial process. I came on board after the pilot was recorded, tested, and went through the usual tweaks that a production of this level requires. Then, with the strikes, everything stopped, but thankfully the series came back.”
When Davis joined the team, director Toland Kreiger had already directed the second episode, which allowed her to observe and adapt. “Directing the third episode was an exercise in finding my place. I had the chance to see how Lee worked with the cast and crew, which helped me build on that foundation, though I also brought my own style to the set. I always start from the script, and the third was written by Sara Saedi, who did a wonderful job creating a fascinating case for that episode. It was an exciting time for me.”
The contrast came when Davis took on the season finale, an episode written by Michael Grassi that tied up all the narrative threads of the series. “The finale is a completely different challenge. You have to tie all the plots together and bring them to a crescendo. Michael wrote a beautiful script, and my goal was to reinforce that closure visually. Having been an executive producer and present on set throughout the season allowed me to observe how the actors found their characters and how the visual language of the show evolved. That gave me tools to bring a personal touch while respecting the essence of the series. It’s like making a great soup. I love soup, and this episode is like a delicious soup, with each element contributing to the final flavor.”
Davis also shared how she manages to put her own stamp on the director’s work while staying true to the spirit of the series. “When you come on as a guest director, the visual and narrative tone is already set. Your job is to tell the story within those parameters, but also to leave a little bit of yourself in each episode. For example, I love extreme close-ups, getting into the actors’ faces, and capturing their most intimate emotions. I also look for ways to keep things fresh. Like, if we’ve shot in the same location a few times, I’ll think, ‘What if we look in a different direction? What if we move this wall and shoot from here?’ That makes it exciting for both the crew and the actors. As a director, producer, and executive producer, I always try to keep the excitement on set, because when everyone is engaged and comfortable, they do their best work.”
MORE: Here are the reviews of Brilliant Minds episode 5, episode 6, episode 7, and episode 8.
Key Takeaways from the Final Episodes
“This season, especially towards the end, the audience will get a better understanding of the characters and what they go through,” Davis explains. “They are doctors who work tirelessly helping people with mental health issues, but they have their own struggles, which they often ignore at their own cost. The final episodes explore how and why they do it, and where this dynamic takes them.”
Beyond the drama, Brilliant Minds will offer a balanced mix of emotions in its final episodes. According to Davis, following the tone of the show, each episode is like a roller coaster. “It’s dramatic, but it also has moments of humor. And then it hits you emotionally when you least expect it,” she says. She recalls a conversation with Warner Brothers Television, who assured her that she would cry during the first three minutes of the pilot directed by Lee Toland Krieger. “When someone tells you that you’re going to cry, you resist, right? You think: ‘That’s not going to happen to me.’ But I watched it and, yeah, I was definitely moved. I also laughed, I was shocked, and I was amazed.”
Davis notes that the cases featured in the series are not made up, but are based on real conditions. “These are not cases that you just fix with a prescription and that’s it. These are real diseases of the mind. We had amazing advisors, like Daniela Lamas, who in addition to being a writer on the team, is an emergency room doctor, and Oren, a renowned neurosurgeon. We consulted with them to make sure the stories were authentic.” The commitment to medical accuracy and narrative authenticity makes the series not only entertaining but educational as well. “Audiences will see how these doctors come together to treat real cases and help their patients live their best lives,” Davis says.
As for her next steps, Davis is thoughtful and grateful. “My next project… I would say sleep. I love sleep,” she jokes. Following the disruptions caused by industry strikes, Davis expresses gratitude for being able to return to work and for the opportunity to collaborate with so many creative talents. While she plans to take time to read, write, and rest, she also looks optimistically toward the future. “I’m hearing that the industry is picking up again, and I hope that continues. There are hundreds of thousands of incredibly talented artists who are ready to get back to work. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work again.”
With Brilliant Minds, Davis has not only made her mark on a series that challenges perceptions about mental health but also reminds us of the transformative power of empathy, both on-screen and off.
MORE: Here are the reviews of Brilliant Minds episode 9, episode 10, and episode 11.
Brilliant Minds airs Mondays at 10 pm ET on NBC.
Brilliant Minds airs on Mondays at 10pm EST, not on Tuesdays!