HawthoRNe is a medical drama on the TNT television network starring Jada Pinkett Smith as Christina Hawthorne, Chief Nursing Officer heading a group of nurses at Richmond Trinity Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. It premiered on June 16, 2009.
HawthoRNe was created by Emmy winner John Masius ("St. Elsewhere," "Providence," "Dead Like Me"), who also wrote the pilot script. Masius, Pinkett Smith and Tarses ("My Boys") are executive producers for the pilot and the series. Mikael Salomon directed and executive-produced the pilot. On August 10, 2009, HawthoRNe was renewed for a second season consisting of 10 episodes, which will air in 2010. Some have questioned TNT's reason for renewing the show citing low ratings and negative critical reception.
Reviews of the show have been overwhelmingly critical and mostly negative with major complaints being the writing and acting. In a review for Zap2it, Amy Amatangelo commented "With each passing episode, they seem to be writing Christina (Jada Pinkett Smith) deeper and deeper into a corner. She can’t always be in an uproar about everything or always play the hero. The show cannot center around her at the expense of everyone else." Nurses have also questioned the reality of the show and the negative portrayal of nurses, registered nurse Judith S. Mitiguy reviewed Hawthorne for NurseWeek, and wrote: "Hawthorne defies the limits of ethical, and sometimes legal, professional practice when it suits her purpose. Plus, she micromanages every situation. Those of us concerned about nursing’s image in the media are more than unhappy with these programs."
Cast:
- Jada Pinkett Smith as Christina Hawthorne, R.N.
- Suleka Mathew as Bobbie Jackson
- David Julian Hirsh as Ray Stein
- Christina Moore as Candy Sullivan
- Hannah Hodson as Camille Hawthorne
- Michael Vartan as Dr. Tom Wakefield
- Joanna Cassidy as Amanda Hawthorne
- Vanessa Lengies as Kelly Epson
- Aisha Hinds as Isabel Walsh
- Jillian Armenante as Cheryl Brooks
- Adam Garcia as Nick Mancini
- Eli Goodman as Dr. Alan Spitzer
