Here’s an interesting new show of intrigue on ABC. Mental illness has a negative stigma; people are at risk of being misunderstood and judged severely if there is something mentally wrong with you. And ABC is making a show about a doctor, Dr. Black, who hides that she’s bipolar and treating other people with mental disabilities.

Dr. Catherine Black, world famous neurologist, is at the top of her game. Each week, this beautiful and brilliant doctor will attempt to unravel the mysteries of the brain while hiding her own secret: she’s bipolar. The medical stories are moving, bizarre and a visual feast. The personal stories are riveting. It’s a brand new, cutting edge ABC drama series, "Black Box," premiering on THURSDAY, APRIL 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

The twenty-first century is the era of the brain, and this show will be riding that wave on the cutting edge of medicine. The brain is the source of everything — from whom we love to how we act and feel. It is the ultimate mystery, which is why doctors call it, the "black box." Catherine and the staff of "The Cube" will constantly be challenged by cases never seen before on television. The patients have rare, highly visual, often hallucinogenic and startling conditions, which we will see through their eyes as Catherine diagnoses and treats them.

Dr. Black’s home base is in New York City where she works as the medical director of a state-of-the-art neurological center known as "The Cube." Inside its modern walls, this complex woman draws patients from all over the world. Outside, she keeps multiple secrets from her family and loved ones. There’s only one person who knows everything — her psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hartramph (Vanessa Redgrave). Hartramph is intuitive, deeply insightful, and strong, an imposing mentor and mother figure. She’s a touchstone that Catherine returns to weekly for advice, medication and comfort. Meanwhile, Catherine keeps the men in her life on their toes as she is torn between Will (David Ajala), a sexy, handsome new chef with his own restaurant in Brooklyn, and her co-worker, the charismatic, womanizing chief of neurosurgery, Dr. Ian Bickman (Ditch Davey). Will wants love and commitment, but can a free spirit like Catherine ever commit? Bickman’s work comes first and he would never contemplate settling down, at least until he meets Dr. Catherine Black. But what does Bickman really know about Catherine?  Less than he imagines. 

Dr. Owen Morely (Terry Kinney), the chief of staff and department chairman of The Cube, is Catherine’s former teacher, current boss and mentor and fellow neurologist – a gentleman to his core. They share cases and mutual admiration. But her closest confidant is within her family circle – her older brother, Joshua Black (David Chisum). Joshua and Catherine are forever bonded by the struggle they shared to overcome a difficult childhood.

"Black Box" stars Kelly Reilly as Catherine Black, Ditch Davey as Dr. Ian Bickman, David Ajala as Will Van Renseller, Ali Wong as Dr. Lina Lark, Laura Fraser as Reagan Black, David Chisum as Joshua Black, Siobhan Williams as Esme Black with Terry Kinney as Dr. Owen Morely and Vanessa Redgrave as Dr. Hartramph.

"Black Box" was created by Amy Holden Jones ("Mystic Pizza," "Indecent Proposal"). Ilene Chaiken ("The L Word"), Amy Holden Jones, Bryan Singer ("House," "X-Men"), Anne Thomopoulos ("Oz," "From the Earth to the Moon"), Oly Obst, Gary Michael Walters ("Drive," "Bobby"), David Lancaster ("Drive," Broadway’s "The Bridges of Madison County") and Michel Litvak are the executive producers. The premiere episode, "Kiss the Sky," was written by Jones and directed by Simon Curtis ("My Week with Marilyn").