What you need to know
Eric Dane has a new TV role planned.
According to a press release, the actor will appear in an upcoming episode of Season 2 of Brilliant Minds. According to a press release, in episode 9 he will play Matthew, a heroic firefighter who struggles to tell his family about his ALS diagnosis.
Along with the news of the role, Warner Bros. shared a photo of the 52-year-old Dane on set with series lead Zachary Quinto, who plays genius neurologist Dr. Oliver Wolfe.
Brilliant Mind sees Quint’s personality and team of interns as “treating patients in unconventional ways,” according to the official logline.
Peehu Wayman/NBC
Dane’s role came about during his ongoing journey with ALS. He revealed his diagnosis to PEOPLE in April and has since spoken openly about the challenges he faces in his fight for treatment.
“ALS is the disease that people most hate to be diagnosed with. It often takes this long for these people to be diagnosed, but then they can’t participate in clinical trials,” the actor told California Rep. Eric Swalwell during a visit to Washington, D.C., last month.
“I have two daughters at home. I want to see them, graduate from college, get married and maybe have grandchildren. You know, I want to be there for all of that. So I’m going to fight this to the end.”
The transition has been difficult for his family, who have daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with wife Rebecca Gayheart.
“It’s heartbreaking. My daughters are really hurting. We’re just trying to get through it. It’s a tough time,” Gayheart told PEOPLE last month.
“I mean, we’re definitely working on something that brings us all together. And Eric will always be my family, whether we’re married or not, whether we live in the same house or not. But yeah, we’re closer, but I don’t like why.”
Fraser Harrison/Getty
She said the family “has some professional therapists who are helping us. We’re just trying to have hope and do it with dignity and grace and love.”
“This is a horrible disease. I wish there was a cure. I hope they find a cure soon because it’s really sad.”
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“Brilliant Minds” airs Mondays at 10pm ET on NBC
