The character in question is Dr. Iggy Frome (Tyler Labine), the Head of Psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital. As a show inspired by a real-world doctor and hospital (via New York Post), "New Amsterdam" attempts to depict authentic patient experiences and problems. Unfortunately, for Iggy, this means audiences expect more from the writers' approach to these experiences. In a thread on the r/NewAmsterdamTV subreddit, fans called Iggy out for his unprofessionalism. Interestingly, these users also called the series out for its harmful portrayal of mental healthcare.
After praising the series' inclusion of the issue, one Reddit user expressed concern about the character's arc in the series. "One can say he is the face of the show's attempt [to shed] light on mental health," u/wearyB wrote. "I have yet to hear him say anything mental-health related other than a brief mention of PTSD in one episode. [In] all other scenes, he just seems way out of line, unprofessional in his 'methods,' and even way out of his league." Later, this user also wrote, "If [the writers] weren't ready to do some research to actually address mental health ... they really shouldn't have included a psychiatry department in the show."
Other fans echoed this post's sentiments. Similarly, u/sleepycatinarayofsun called the show's depiction of therapy via Iggy "completely inaccurate and...irresponsible," while u/brutalistgarden (a mental health researcher) said, "[Iggy] comes through as a poorly written social worker." Many users also felt that even when the show addressed Iggy's methods, it ultimately promoted them, making his character even more destructive. "He's ******* terrible at his job," wrote another user, later adding, "[the writers] need a psych advisor to teach them what psychiatrists and therapists are actually supposed to do."
Elsewhere on Reddit, several fans bemoaned Iggy's actions outside the hospital as well.
