A New Doogie Heads to Hawaii on Disney+

Another teen medical whiz takes the lead in the TV reboot of a quirky classic

Another teen medical whiz takes the lead in the TV reboot of a quirky classic

Looking back, Doogie Howser, M.D. may be one of television’s unlikeliest hits. Starring a young Neil Patrick Harris as a 16-year-old physician, the series’ outlandish concept nonetheless proved captivating for viewers, with the show running for four successful seasons on ABC before concluding in 1993.

Programming execs at Disney+ clearly recognized that this cult classic was not only beloved by fans but a concept ripe for rebooting, leading to this week’s arrival of Doogie Kame?loha, M.D.

It follows a similar prototype, but with a few significant differences. Described as “a coming-of-age dramedy inspired by the hit medical series Doogie Howser, M.D.,” the focus is now on Lahela “Doogie” Kame?loha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a 16-year-old prodigy who’s juggling her burgeoning medical career with the familiar pitfalls and challenges of being a teenager.

Doogie isn’t going it alone; with the support of her caring and comical “ohana” (Hawaiian for “family”) and friends, she’s determined to make the most of her teen years and forge her own path.

Guiding Doogie is her career-driven mother, Dr. Clara Hannon (Kathleen Rose Perkins); and as if their relationship wasn’t complicated enough, Clara is her daughter’s supervisor at the hospital where they both work.

Also offering support is her doting father Benny (Jason Scott Lee), who helps keep her connected to what matters most; her free-spirited older brother Kai (Matthew Sato); her gregarious younger brother Brian Patrick (Wes Tian); her best friend Steph (Emma Meisel); her surfer crush Walter (Alex Aiono); and her hospital colleagues Dr. Lee (Ronny Chieng), Charles (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman) and Noelani (Mapuana Makia).

Doogie Kame?loha, M.D. streams Wednesdays on Disney+