Hugh Laurie’s Dr. Eldon Chance looks to be a very different doctor than Laurie is known for.
Deadline reports that Hulu has dropped a first look teaser for the new Laurie-starring psychological thriller series Chance. The series is based on a novel by Kem Nunn who is also an executive producer. Lenny Abrahamson (Room, Frank) is set to direct several episodes of the series as well. Chance was picked up by Hulu with a two season order of 20 episodes. The series is set to premiere on the streaming service on October 19th.
The teaser doesn’t reveal a lot, but it sure seems like Laurie’s Dr. Chance is going to find himself in some dangerous, violent situations compared to Dr. House. When asked about similarities between Dr. Chance and Dr. House, Laurie responded that the world of one is “infinitely removed from that other world.”
Chance centers on San Francisco forensic neuropsychiatrist Dr. Eldon Chance as he finds himself getting dragged into the seedy underbelly of corruption, mental illness, and violence while trying to help a patient (Gretchen Mol) that may be suffering from multiple personality disorder.
Speaking at a TCA panel Laurie discussed his GP father and the work of neuropsychiatrists. “My father was a doctor, a general practitioner,” he said. “He did things that made people’s lives better.”
On the topic of neuropsychiatrists Laurie spoke to how they deal with more mental rather than physical issues, treating “incredibly damaged” people. “Nobody leaves their offices doing cartwheels. I don’t think I’d last a week,” he said.
Chance continues Laurie’s recent roll on the small screen. He recently starred in the latest two seasons of Veep as relentlessly charming vice presidential candidate and senator Tom James. Laurie could also be seen in AMC mini-series The Night Manager starring alongside Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, and Olivia Colman.
Laurie stars in Chance with LisaGay Hamilton, Paul Adelstein, Ethan Suplee and Stefania LaVie Owen. Abrahamson and Nunn are executive producers on the series along with Michael London and showrunner Alexandra Cunningham.