Ariana Madix is returning to NBC's "St. Denis Medical" when the mockumentary comes back for Season 3 in November, according to Deadline. She will reprise her role as Dr. Brooke Emerson, a cardiac surgeon and former girlfriend of Josh Lawson's character Bruce, in at least three episodes next season.
Madix first joined the cast in Season 2 with a multi-episode guest appearance, appearing alongside Wendi McLendon-Covey, David Alan Grier, Allison Tolman, Josh Lawson, Kahyun Kim, Mekki Leeper, and Kaliko Kauahi. The series is set at St. Denis Regional Medical Center, an underfunded and understaffed Oregon hospital where the staff try to treat patients while keeping their own sanity.
Madix's return to the comedy is one of several high-profile commitments this fall. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that she would return to Broadway and join the musical "Just in Time" as Connie Francis, a role that places her in a production starring Jeremy Jordan as Bobby Darin. The musical is set in an intimate, swinging nightclub and features a live band and iconic Darin songs such as "Beyond the Sea," "Mack the Knife," "Splish Splash," and "Dream Lover."
Before that, she will co-host the "Love Island USA" Season 8 reunion alongside Andy Cohen, streaming on Peacock on Monday, August 31, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Madix's career has been on an upward trajectory, with an Emmy nomination this year for her hosting work on "Love Island USA." After guest-hosting during the fifth season of the dating show, she took over as host for the sixth season in 2024 and has since wrapped her third season as host, Season 8. She has also appeared on Broadway in "Chicago" and acted in "St. Denis Medical," among other credits.
In a recent interview covering the production of "Love Island USA," which is shot in Fiji, Madix shared insights into the show's promotion and her approach to wardrobe and tone. She noted that promotion begins a few weeks before the season airs, but because nothing has happened yet, she can't give anything away. On fashion, she said she wears a lot of exciting, sometimes revealing outfits and wants to feel her best. She described her style as a chameleon, pushing the envelope of dressing with different looks and glam.
Madix also discussed how she strikes the right tone when entering the villa, acknowledging that she initially "scares the crap out of" the Islanders, but then wants them to feel at ease — while maintaining an element of danger. On preparation, she explained that sometimes she receives a script for challenges beforehand, but other times she hears her lines for the first time as they come out of her mouth.