Eric Dane to Play Firefighter Diagnosed With ALS in ‘Brilliant Minds’ Season 2

Eric Dane has joined the NBC medical drama “Brilliant Minds” as a guest star. The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” alum will appear in Season 2, Episode 9 as Matthew, a heroic firefighter who struggles to share his ALS diagnosis with his family.

The role is particularly noteworthy considering Dane announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS causes patients to slowly lose their ability to speak, walk and breathe on their own. Dane has recently started using a wheelchair and was forced to skip out on this year’s “Grey’s Anatomy” reunion at the Emmys due to a fall that left him hospitalized.

“Brilliant Minds” follows neurologist Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto), who leads a team of doctors at Bronx General delving into medical mysteries of the mind. The series premiered in 2024, and Season 2 kicked off on Sept. 22. The cast includes Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Teddy Sears, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, Brian Altemus and Al Calderon.

The series is inspired by author and physician Oliver Sacks and is written by Michael Grassi, who executive produces alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra. Berlanti Productions, Fabel Entertainment, The Imaginarium, Grassi Productions and Tavala produce in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Dane is best known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan across 139 episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as his role as Cal Jacobs in HBO’s “Euphoria.” He also starred opposite Jensen Ackles in the Amazon thriller “Countdown,” and his credits also include “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” “Burlesque,” “Valentine’s Day” and “Marley and Me.”

Dane is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.