When he began writing NBCs medical drama Brilliant Minds , series creator Michael Grassi says he had only one actor in mind to portray his shows protagonist, Dr. Oliver Wolf.

That would be Zachary Quinto , the Emmy nominee whose television credits include Star Trek and the American Horror Story anthology series, and who has appeared on Broadway in acclaimed revivals of The Glass Menagerie and The Boys in the Band, among other shows.

Ive never seen Zach play it safe in a performance. Everything he does, he always takes a big swing, Grassi, whose TV credits include Schitts Creek and Riverdale , told HuffPost. Weve seen him play villains before. Weve seen him do so much genre. But the thing that Zach brings to the show something I didnt know was possible is incredible wit and levity. Im excited for viewers to see how much warmth and humor he brings.

Brilliant Minds, which premiered last week, is based on the life of Dr. Oliver Sacks , the world-renowned neurologist and author once referred to as the poet laureate of contemporary medicine.