do no harm

NBC's new drama Do No Harm introduces a leading man with two very different sides; Steven Pasquale plays a man with alternate personalities. The midseason show, which premieres tonight, is loosely based on the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the stakes are raised a bit more, since the good personality is also a surgeon. If you're wondering whether Do No Harm is worth adding to your DVR, read on to find out what we thought of the series's pilot.

• What it's about: Jason Cole (Pasquale) is a successful neurosurgeon, but he has a big secret: he has another identity — "Ian Price" — who is narcissistic, destructive, and basically evil. Jason takes medication to suppress Ian's ability to emerge, but his bad identity has started to become resistant to the drug, and when Ian does come out, he's determined to wreck Jason's life, personally and professionally.
• Where it works: Pasquale is perfectly cast; he's just as believable as the sweet, decent Jason as he is as bad boy Ian — not an easy feat. It's also exciting to see cast members from past TV shows we loved playing Jason's hospital colleagues: Samm Levine (from cult classic Freaks and Geeks) and Phylicia Rashad (from consummate classic The Cosby Show).
• Where it doesn't: While the premise is compelling, Jason's struggle to keep Ian from coming out isn't that exciting. More importantly, Ian is more fun to watch than Jason. How are we supposed to root for good-guy Jason to get rid of his evil alter ego?
• When it's on: Sundays at 10 p.m. on NBC (regular time slot after premiere)
• You might like this show if: You need a new TV crush. Pasquale is inexplicably dreamy as both identities.

See a preview and pictures from Do No Harm after the jump.

NBC has a two-faced new star in Steven Pasquale, who leads the new midseason drama Do No Harm as Jason and Ian, two identities in one body fighting for dominance. Pasquale, his costars, and his showrunner came to the TCA to talk about their Jekyll-and-Hyde procedural, including Pasquale's unusual ways of staying in character, and the famous TV alum they're excited to have in the cast.

• The character of Jason/Ian is afflicted by a fictional condition loosely based on dissociative identity disorder, and the show is also loosely based on classic novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but Do No Harm has "a lot more layers than just good vs. evil," said executive producer David Schulner. He said he pitched it as "House meets Dexter," because of the medical angle, and Jason is the "good" side, while Ian is the "bad" side. "Ian is truly menacing, so Jason's character needs to get rid of him," Schulman said.
• Pasquale has a funny on-set setup: two chairs, one for when he's playing Ian, and one for when he's playing Jason, which display each of the names. The character of Jason is also a doctor, and when Pasquale was asked if he's partial to playing Ian or Jason, he exuberantly replied, "Of course! Ian doesn't have to say any of that medical sh*t. Neurosurgery is no joke!"
• Phylicia Rashad is on the cast as Jason's boss, but of course, her most famous role is as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She worked it into her current job, giving it the highest of praise. Of Do No Harm, she said, "This is special for me, because I was with the best of the best, and now I feel like I'm with the best of the best again." Cutely, her costar Pasquale added, "By the way, it was pretty exciting to come to the first day and see Mrs. Huxtable."

The networks will trot out their brand-new TV shows at next week's upfronts, but before we get a look at previews and find out the schedules, we're going to acquaint you with the upcoming series. First up are the shows coming to NBC, so check out the comedies and dramas that the network has picked up for the Fall 2012 season.

COMEDIES

• Go On: Matthew Perry stars as a sportscaster who starts attending group therapy sessions after he suffers from a loss and bonds with the members of his group.
• Animal Practice: Weeds star Justin Kirk plays a veterinarian who loves his furry subjects but doesn't like their human owners.
• The New Normal: A gay couple played by Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells use a surrogate to start their family in this comedy from Glee creator Ryan Murphy.
• Guys With Kids: Three dudes (Jesse Bradford, Nick Cregger, and Anthony Anderson) experience the joys of being dads together.
• Save Me: Anne Heche plays a woman who thinks she can channel God after she has an accident.
• 1600 Penn: This White House-set comedy follows a fictional president played by Bill Pullman, his first lady (Jenna Elfman), and his goofy son (Josh Gad).
• Next Caller: This workplace comedy takes place in a radio station and stars Dane Cook as a chauvinistic DJ who butts heads with his female colleague.

DRAMAS:

• Revolution: This drama, produced by J.J. Abrams and written by Supernatural's creator, depicts a world where all technology has suddenly stopped working and its characters (played by Giancarlo Esposito and Billy Burke) struggle to connect with their loved ones.
• Hannibal: This drama explores the relationship of notorious character Dr. Hannibal Lecter as he mentors detective Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy.
• Chicago Fire: The staff of a Chicago firehouse is the focus of this action-packed drama, which stars Taylor Kinney of The Vampire Diaries and House's Jesse Spencer.
• Do No Harm: A neurosurgeon struggles with his job and personal life because he also has a Jekyll & Hyde-like alter ego.
• Infamous: A female detective (Meagan Good) goes undercover to return to the home of the wealthy family her mother was a maid in and solve a murder.

Photos courtesy of NBC