Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from St. Denis Medical season 1, episode 6, “Ho-Ho-Hollo.”
Abbott Elementaryrevived the mockumentary sitcom genre in 2021, resulting inSt. Denis Medicalin 2024, and allowing the newer show to emulate one of the older series' storylines (but with its own twist). The NBC medical comedy,co-created by Justin Spitzer ofSuperstorefame and Eric Ledgin,follows the doctors and nurses at St. Denis Medical Center in Oregon.Similar to other mockumentary sitcoms, theSt. Denis Medicalcharacters are eccentric, unique, and hilarious, forming a group with great chemistry. The series takes advantage of its cast’s dynamics, just likeAbbott Elementarydoes.
New episodes ofSt. Denis Medicalair on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET on NBC — season 1 returns with episode 7, “50 CC’s of Kindness,” on July 14, 2025.
The cast ofSt. Denis Medicalincludes Wendi McLendon-Covey as Joyce, Allison Tolman as Alex, Josh Lawson as Bruce, Kahyun Kim as Serena, Mekki Leeper as Matt, David Alan Grier as Ron, and Kaliko Kauahi as Val. They are undoubtedly why the sitcom works as well as it does. Without these specific characters and their relationships,St. Denis Medicalwouldn’t be nearly as funny as it is. While the show has focused on some duos more than others, one understated relationship seemingly resemblesJanine and Gregory’s romance inAbbott Elementary. However,the potential couple is still original toSt. Denis Medical.
St. Denis Medical’s Holiday Episode Finally Teases More Of Matt’s Crush On Serena
Matt’s Feelings For Serena Form During The Sitcom’s Premiere
Duringthe pilot ofSt. Denis Medical, Matt becomes the hospital’s newest employee. His character arc essentially follows the fish-out-of-water trope as he comes from a strict religious background, and almost everything at the hospital is new to him. However, while Matt’s story mostly revolves around him learning and growing, it also touches on his crush on Serena — an experienced nurse with a youthful nature, blunt personality, and a lot of confidence.St. Denis Medicalcertainly hasn’t pushed the “Matt has a crush on Serena” storylineall that much. However, it’s there, especially in season 1’s holiday episode.
St. Denis Medical Is Missing 1 Important Detail That Made Superstore Great
The new NBC mockumentary sitcom St. Denis Medical has a lot in common with Superstore, but the 2024 TV show lacks one of Superstore’s best qualities.
St. Denis Medicalhas dropped subtle hints alluding to Matt’s crush on Serena, but the show hasn’t explored it all that much. He’ll make a comment or two, or stare at her longingly, and that’s about it. InSt. Denis Medicalseason 1, episode 7, though,Matt and Serena share a scene that makes his feelings for her much more concrete and serious.
The two discuss their respective days, bantering (flirting just a smudge) with one another. Matt tells a joke that makes Serena laugh, and the camera stays on him longer than usual as he smiles at her. The moment between Matt and Serena isn’t much, but it’s the most thatNBC’s new medical mockumentary sitcomhas given the audience.
Matt & Serena Could Be The Janine & Gregory Of St. Denis Medical
Janine & Gregory’s Slow Burn Romance In Abbott Elementary Also Started At The Sitcom’s Beginning
St. Denis Medicalhas been compared toAbbott Elementary,on the account that they are both mockumentary sitcoms airing in 2024. However, the two shows have more than a couple of things in common. For example, Matt’s crush on Serena formed the moment he met her duringSt. Denis Medical’s first episode, just likeJanine and Gregory’s feelings for one another arose inAbbott Elementary’s pilot.So, it stands to reason that Matt and Serena could be the new Janine and Gregory.
Matt’s feelings for Serena continue to grow, while Serena’s feelings towards Matt seemingly stay the same (for now).
Of course,Abbott Elementaryisn’t the only mockumentary sitcom featuring a slow-burn romance in existence.Jim and Pam inThe Officeare arguably the blueprint.Abbott Elementaryrevived the mockumentary sitcom genre, though, setting the stage forSt. Denis Medical. As a result, Matt and Serena’s dynamic could be comparable to Janine and Gregory’s. At the very least, the new NBC series is taking a page out of the older ABC show’s book concerning its slow-burn romance. However,St. Denis Medicalis erasing all details while keepingAbbott Elementary’s basic layout.
Janine & Gregory’s Feelings Were Always Mutual In Abbott Elementary, While Matt & Serena’s Aren’t
Matt’s Crush Is One-Sided
From the beginning ofAbbott Elementary, it was clear that Janine and Gregory both had crushes on each other, whether they would like to admit it or not. As for Matt and Serena inSt. Denis Medical, though, Matt’s crush is very much one-sided. Following the NBC sitcom’s midseason finale, this hasn’t changed. But,Matt’s feelings for Serena continue to grow,while Serena’s feelings towards Matt seemingly stay the same (for now).
Kaliko Kauahi
Val
It’s obvious thatMatt and Serena’s possible slow burn hasn’t been one ofSt. Denis Medical’s main priorities(unlike Janine and Gregory’s inAbbott Elementary). Co-creator andshowrunner Eric Ledgin even admitted as much during an interview withScreen Rant.Ledgin explained:
“I didn’t really want to lead with a will they/won’t they at the center of the show unless it organically seemed like that [was the way to go]. You develop the characters, and you figure out what their background is going to be, and their dynamics with each other. And if something emerges, then great, run in that direction.
It did seem interesting to have a will I/won’t I, which is what I call Matt’s crush, because currently, at least in the beginning of the season, Serena’s completely unaware of it. And that seemed like a fun thing to play and be able to work into a slow burn. Especially as you meet them, it doesn’t seem like these two are a great match. And so I kind of liked the setup of that. It allows us to choose to go whichever way the story wants to naturally go and have it be surprising along the way, I hope.”
UnlikeAbbott Elementary,St. Denis Medical’s romance isn’t one of the sitcom’s focal points.Matt and Serena’s dynamic is subtle as ever,even after the holiday episode, meaning the series will likely drag their potential romance out for way longer thanAbbott Elementarydid with Janine and Gregory. Hopefully, NBC renewsSt. Denis Medical, and viewers can see Matt and Serena’s story play out in its entirety.
St. Denis Medical
Cast
St. Denis Medical follows a diverse team of doctors and nurses at an underfunded Oregon hospital as they manage patient care and maintain camaraderie amid challenging circumstances.
