Watch Necessary Roughness

Necessary Roughness is a television drama series that aired on USA network from 2011 to 2013. The show is set in the world of professional sports and follows the life of a recently divorced single mother and psychotherapist named Dr. Danielle Santino (Callie Thorne).

Dr. Santino finds herself thrown into the fast-paced life of professional sports after being hired by the fictional New York Hawks football team to help their troubled star wide receiver, Terrence “T.K.” King (Mehcad Brooks), who is struggling both on and off the field. With a no-nonsense approach, Dr. Santino quickly becomes known as the go-to therapist for high-profile athletes in need of help.

As the series progresses, Dr. Santino navigates the ups and downs of her personal and professional life while trying to help her clients deal with their issues. Along the way, she crosses paths with various athletes, including quarterbacks, coaches, and even a tennis player.

Dr. Santino also becomes involved with the team’s enigmatic trainer, Nico (Scott Cohen), who is both charismatic and mysterious. Their relationship becomes a central part of the series and adds an element of romantic tension to the storyline.

Additional characters include Matthew Donnelly (Marc Blucas), an attorney who becomes Dr. Santino’s friend and confidant, Lindsay Santino (Hannah Marks), Dr. Santino’s teenage daughter who struggles with her father’s infidelity and the family’s resulting divorce, and Juliette Pittman (Danielle Panabaker), T.K.’s on-again-off-again girlfriend and a rising sports reporter.

Throughout the series, the characters deal with a range of issues, including addiction, family problems, and performance anxiety. The show also addresses social issues, such as sexism in sports and the struggle for LGBTQ+ athletes to come out.

The show is both dramatic and humorous, and the performances are strong across the board. Thorne is particularly standout as the tough and empathetic therapist who is always looking out for her clients’ best interests. Brooks brings depth to the character of T.K., who is initially portrayed as a brash and entitled athlete but develops into a more complex and sympathetic figure over the course of the series.

Despite strong critical reception, the show was cancelled after three seasons, leaving some storylines unresolved. However, it remains a favorite among fans of sports dramas and psychological thrillers.

Overall, Necessary Roughness is a compelling drama that addresses the unique challenges faced by high-profile athletes and their support staff. With a talented cast and complex characters, it provides an engaging look at the inner workings of the sports world and the people who strive to succeed in it.

Necessary Roughness is a series that ran for 3 seasons (38 episodes) between June 29, 2011 and on USA