One to watch out for: Hart of Dixie

The American TV series follows newly-qualified doctor, Zoe Hart (Bilson), who doesn’t know what to do with her life when her post-graduation plan-become a cardio-thoracic surgeon- is shattered. In a surprising twist of fate though, Zoe meets a stranger who just so happens to be a Dr, and he gives her the chance to go and work with him at his practice in Bluebell, Alabama.

After reluctantly taking up the opportunity, she moves from New York to the Deep South, however on arrival is greeted with the news that Dr. Harley Wilkes (Nicholas Pryor) has passed away and according to the will, has left half of the medical practice to Zoe’s.

Adjusting to Alabama life isn’t all fun and games though. As well as making friends, Zoe also makes some enemies, and that’s before she finds herself stuck in a love triangle. Then just when things couldn’t get any more complicated, she receives the surprising and confusing news that Dr. Harley Wilkes always wanted her to come to Bluebell.

Hart of Dixie has already begun in America and has received mixed reviews. Some haven’t held back when it comes to criticism, describing it as being ‘very cliché’: a northern city girl moves to the more rural south and is trying, yet struggling to find her feet due to the culture clash. Mary McNamara from the Los Angeles Times also said that it has “a stack of familiar scenarios stitched together to form a pretty if not terribly substantial quilt.”

Other negative comments have mainly surrounded Bilson’s acting; several people have said that her performance as a doctor is very ‘unconvincing’. On the other hand there have been plenty of positive reactions. Many have said for example that the programme is ‘light-hearted’, ‘easy watching’ and ‘entertaining without trying too hard’.