Grey’s Anatomy alum Eric Dane is returning to the medical genre in an upcoming episode of Brilliant Minds, and first-look images have just been released. The actor’s breakout role in the entertainment industry came via Grey’s Anatomy, which he joined in 2006. Dane left in 2012 after a plane crash killed his character Mark Sloan (aka McSteamy).
Now Dane is back on another medical drama, where he’ll guest star in Brilliant Minds season 2, episode 9, “The Fire Fighter.” His character, Matthew, is a firefighter with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the same neurodegenerative condition that the actor has. The storyline will revolve around Matthew grappling with how to reveal his medical diagnosis to his family.
Matthew’s ex-wife, Alicia, and daughter, Gabby, will be played by Mädchen Amick and Chloe Avakian, respectively.
TVInsider revealed four photos from this episode of Brilliant Minds season 2 that give fans a teaser of what to expect from Dane’s guest appearance. The first photo shows Dane’s character, Matthew, sitting against a fire truck as his ex-wife wears a concerned expression while looking at Dr. Oliver Wolf, a neurologist played by star Zachary Quinto.
The second photo is a closeup shot of Dane’s character, Matthew. The final two photos show Matthew, Alicia and daughter Gabby in the doctor’s office while having a discussion with Dr. Wolf and Dr. Carol Pierce, played by co-sar Tamberla Perry.
In some of the images, Gabby can be seen typing on her phone, possibly to take notes as the doctors are speaking or to look up more info about her father’s condition.
Check out the Brillians Minds photos with Dane below:
This Brilliant Minds storyline is definitely an art-imitates-life situation since Dane was diagnosed with ALS back in the spring. ALS is a degenerative condition that involves the loss of muscle control. There is no cure for ALS.
Throughout 2025, Dane has been open about his diagnosis and symptoms, with the actor losing the ability to move his right hand and arm. He started using a wheelchair later in the year.
Grey’s Anatomy was the project that put Dane on the map in Hollywood. His character, Sloan, played a major role on the series as Derek Shepherd’s best friend who had an affair with his wife.
After leaving the long-running medical drama, Dane appeared in multiple movies and had starring roles on TV shows like The Last Ship, Euphoria and Countdown.
He’s expected to appear in Euphoria season 3, which will air sometime in 2026.
Before his return to Euphoria, though, Dane will guest star on Brilliant Minds this fall. It’ll surely be an emotional episode for Brilliant Minds and Dane fans alike.
Brilliant Minds airs Mondays at 10 p.m. EST on NBC.
- Release Date
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September 23, 2024
- Directors
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Lee Toland Krieger, David Katzenberg, Dawn Wilkinson, Harry Jierjian, Jordan Canning, Maggie Kiley, Sudz Sutherland, Charles Randolph-Wright, Deborah Kampmeier
