The woman who played David Morse's ("Jack 'Boomer' Morrison") wife was Patricia Wettig. Her character was "Joanne McFadden". Patricia later went on to star in Thirtysomething as the wife of Timothy Busfield's character.

Helen Hunt made such an impact, it seems like she was on St. Elsewhere far more than she actually was. She was only in 8 episodes.

Just a comment on Helen Hunt playing David Morse's wife on St. Elsewhere. Helen Hunt played his girlfriend and was not a regular on the show, although she was in a number of episodes for one season.The character of Jack lost his wife in a car accident and her heart was donated to one of the patients. He later married a women with two children but the actress who played the part escapes me. David Morse is a brilliant actor and St.Elsewhere was a great show! Can't wait for the DVD.

Agreed that it was one of the best shows ever.

Helen Hunt was also a regular, playing the wife of David Morse's character.

Tremendous news!

To clarify one point: Tim Robbins and Eric Stoltz were never regular members of the cast. ... They were guest stars in separate 3-4 episode arcs during the first season.

Yes, I've been waiting for years for this! The first season, with David Birney, was just good. After that, it really found its groove and got better and better. It broke the new ground that much of the best shows of the past few decades have been operating in. Multifaceted characters who could be jerks, who screwed up and weren't always heroes, who grew and matured each year. Heartbreaking storylines, for the guest characters and the regulars (and not all of the who-sleeps-with-whom variety).

"St. Elsewhere" never talked down to the viewer, and frequently demanded the most from its audience. It (along with "Hill Street Blues") created the multi-story, multi-episodic arc framework and modern storytelling techniques that are predominant on the best of dramatic television today.

It's about time! Hands down, the best show EVER on television!