Leyla Shinwari is a former emergency medicine resident at New Amsterdam Medical Center who had a serious romantic relationship with Dr. Lauren Bloom, MD (Chair of Emergency Medicine, current).
She was a physician in Pakistan before coming to America. She specialized in pediatric medicine, but switched to emergency medicine after being credentialed in America.
Leyla attending to her rideshare passanger.
Start of Leyla's Storyline[]
Dr. Bloom & Leyla in their Apartment.
After coming to America, Leyla began living in her car while working as a rideshare driver. She was introduced to New Amsterdam Medical Center when one of her riders needed to be brought to the Emergency Department, where she met Dr. Lauren Bloom, MD (Chair of Emergency Medicine, current). While at the Emergency Department, her rider became unstable. Leyla put a needle into her heart to relieve the pressure, which stabilized the patient. Dr. Bloom saw this and instantly banned Leyla from the ED as Leyla was not only not credentialed at NAMC, but she was not even credentialed to practice medicine in the country.
Eventually, Dr. Bloom learnt about Leyla's story and felt bad for her. Dr. Bloom began to let Leyla use the Emergency Medicine Staff Restroom to shower and refresh as well as sleep in the call room that Dr. Bloom and Dr. Camila Candelario, MD, FACS (Emergency Medicine Night Shift Lead, current) share. Since Dr. Candelario worked nights, Dr. Bloom typically used the room during the night. Thus Dr. Bloom allowed Leyla to sleep in there. This is where Leyla's storyline begins.
Eventually, due to overcrowding in the ED, Dr. Mark Walsh, MD (Emergency Medicine Chief Resident, former) was forced by Dr. Bloom to find extra space to examine and treat patients. Dr. Walsh decided to use Dr. Bloom and Dr. Candelario's call room, where he discovered Leyla sleeping since it was the day shift. Leyla was then brought to Karen Brantley, MBA (NAMC Board of Directors Chair, former) where Dr. Bloom tried to take full responsibility for the matter, but Leyla had already confessed.
Dr. Bloom then let Leyla move in with her. Leyla took her US Boards and began a relationship with Dr. Bloom.
3x09 - Disconnected[]
Leyla's romance with Lauren begins when Leyla buys a very large plant for their house. While Lauren claims she's "not good with living things," Leyla counters "I disagree" and takes her hand.
3x10 - Radical[]
Leyla passes her US Boards. Upon telling Lauren, Leyla kisses her. Lauren, who is surprised, excuses herself, saying that she needs to get to work. Leyla decides to leave Lauren's house. Lauren comes back that night, and convinces her to stay, saying her reaction was due to her surprise since she's not used to normal or real. Lauren then kisses Leyla.
3x11 - Pressure Drop[]
The ED is a complete mess and nobody is sure what to do. They turn to Dr. Bloom, who is in a surprisingly good mood.
Dr. Helen Sharpe, MD (Chair of Oncology & Hematology; Deputy Medical Director, former) points out to Dr. Bloom that her ED is a complete mess. Dr. Sharpe says that Dr. Bloom is going soft and that it is affecting her ability to Chair the Emergency Department. After hearing this, Dr. Bloom thinks that the best decision for her career would be to ultimately end her relationship with Leyla and cut ties entirely.
Dr. Bloom then goes to speak with Leyla, where she explains to her that by being in the relationship, she is going soft, which then affects patients' treatment. Leyla laughs at this. Leyla tells Dr. Bloom that the issue is not being a relationship, but a lack of balance between work and personal life. Ultimately, the couple does not break up.
3x13 - Fight Time[]
Dr. Bloom reveals to Leyla that she has a history of addiction. Dr. Bloom also tells Leyla that she had been with women before, but never in a relationship, and that she also cannot cook.
Leyla says that she "knows this and everything." Dr. Bloom then tells her that she loves her.
3x14 - Death Begins in Radiology[]
The US Medical Residency Match List comes out. Leyla matches into Pediatric Medicine in Spokane, Washington.
Very upset by the fact that she may loose Leyla, Dr. Bloom goes straight to the Residency Director at New Amsterdam Medical Center. Dr. Bloom tells the Residency Director that Leyla deserves a spot in any department at NAMC, but he tells Dr. Bloom that there are no more spots in any specialty that Leyla would qualify for. In particular, Hank tells Lauren that the medical school that Leyla attended, Khyber Medical University, has no international standing. Lauren reveals that Leyla practiced in refugee camps. Hank eventually tells Lauren that if she wants a spot to open up for Leyla, the Dean of Medicine has been known to make allowances for the right price. Lauren leaves Hanks office, and has an outburst in a supply closet. Later, Leyla gets a call from the Residency Director at New Amsterdam, informing her that the Dean of Medicine opened a spot in the ED, and that they offered it to her. Leyla asks if Lauren had anything to do with this, and Lauren denies any involvement in the decision.
4x01 - More Joy[]
Lauren favours Leyla over the other ED residents and openly tells them about their relationship. Leyla objects to this, as it causes a terrible dynamic between her and the other residents. The next time Lauren and Leyla meet, Lauren yells at her for putting the O2 stat meter in the wrong place.
Leyla & Dr. Bloom in the ED.
4x02 - We're in This Together[]
Lauren and Leyla show up in a taxi. The other residents make fun of Leyla and tell her to "be aware of her privilege." When she tells them she was living out of her car six months ago, the residents take the opportunity to complain about their own problems. Feeling terrible, Leyla tries to give up the extras Dr. Bloom has given her, but Bloom says that she should take advantage of the opportunity and do as best she can that way. Leyla feels she didn't earn her residency. The residents are called to help a patient and Leyla makes a correct diagnosis. Bloom gives the extras she gave Leyla to the other residents as well. She also tells Leyla to start paying rent.
4x03 - Same as It Ever Was[]
Lauren finds out that Leyla is letting Roxana, another resident, head the resident team. Lauren tells Leyla to toughen up. Leyla then treats a patient without using ultrasound guidance, against Lauren's order. Leyla explains that she trained in Kashmir in the Hizbul Mujahideen Uprising and thus learnt to do everything in the dark or during a mortar attack. Technology just slows her down. Lauren takes Leyla to a supply closet and Leyla tells her that the other residents were impressed and that they invited her out with them. Lauren tells her not to cross her again.
4x05 - This Be the Verse[]
Dr. Bloom stops Dr. Shinwari from treating her mother, saying Mrs. Bloom is trying to get pills. Dr. Shinwari admits Mrs. Bloom to test her later, once the drugs are out of her system. Dr. Shinwari says she will figure out the source of the chronic pain, and finds an enlarged spleen. Dr. Bloom says it is because her mother is a long-time alcoholic. Mrs. Bloom tries to convince Dr. Shinwari to break up with Dr. Bloom, saying Lauren is a bad person. Dr. Shinwari persuades Dr. Bloom to look at the ultrasound and they conclude Mrs. Bloom has endometriosis. Lauren tests Leyla on her medical knowledge - when Leyla responds correctly, Lauren feeds her a spoonful of breakfast, saying she won't get a spoonful every time she responds because Americam medical care is not fair. Leyla tells her she is just grateful. When the hospital mentions her donation, Lauren tells them to keep it private and organises another, different donation to try to conceal it from Dr. Shinwari.
4x09 - In a Strange Land[]
When Dr Shinwari is offered a job by Reynolds, he tells her the doctors have to donate inordinate amounts of money to make a fifth residency spot open.
4x10 - Death is the Rule. Life is the Exception[]
Leyla asks Lauren how much she spent to create a new residency spot, and Lauren tells her $90,000. They are interrupted by Iggy. Leyla tells Lauren after work that she feels as if everything she has is earned by Lauren. When Lauren says she did it out of love, Leyla replies that Lauren tried to own her, and the couple is broken up.
4x11 - Talkin' Bout a Revolution[]
Lauren calls Leyla and asks where she's living, fearing it might be somewhere unsafe. They witness a pedestrian get hit by lightning and Lauren attends to the emergency.
4x12 - The Crossover[]
Lauren tries to convince the residents to give her Leyla's new forwarding address because Leyla's transfer was unfinished. Zamaya hesitantly "hypothetically" gives Dr. Bloom the information in a note. Leyla is living at Linger Life Insurance Company, 17-07 Bollin Avenue in Queens, NY 11428.
4x13 - Family[]
Lauren asks Reynolds about Leyla, and he is quiet. When he next passes Lauren in the hallway, he tells her that Leyla asked him for a recommendation. Lauren waits for Leyla in Reynolds' office. When she arrives, Leyla is frustrated with the way Lauren stalked her. Lauren gives her a sincere apology, recognising that she tried to control Leyla with money and violated her trust and boundaries. Lauren says she'll regret what she did for the rest of her life, but that Leyla's residency spot is still open. Lauren is leaving.
4x14 - ...Unto the Breach[]
Leyla tells Lauren not to leave. She says they can work together and tells Lauren she is needed at New Amsterdam. Leyla refuses to make herself the reason Lauren leaves, saying she'll reapply for her residency somewhere else. While treating a patient, Lauren notices he has amphetamines in his bag. She pockets them, and changes treatment course accordingly. She gives the amphetamines to Sharpe, and tells her that she's triggered by everything in the ED. She wants to quit, but if she did then Leyla would too, and she can't have that. Lauren reveals that she wants to punish herself forever for what she did to Leyla.
4x16 - All Night Long[]
Lauren hides poorly behind a plant to avoid Leyla. When Leyla confronts her, Lauren tells her she's trying to give her space. Leyla tells Lauren that her visa has problems and she thinks she's being deported. Lauren gives her money for the lawyer. Leyla says that there was a glitch in the paperwork and she never got notices about her visa because she was living in her car. Her refugee status was being revoked, and she was at risk of being sent back to Pakistan. She tried to get a lawyer through the government and pro bono programs to no avail. Lauren gives her $ 10,000 for a retainer and $10,000 a month for a lawyer. She also lets Leyla use Lauren's address so that the case can be winnable. Leyla finds Casey's badge, then Casey. Lauren trails behind. Leyla searches for a suture while Lauren holds the wound together. Leyla finds a caulking gun and Lauren injects the caulk into Casey. Leyla calls 911. In the ambulance, Casey tells Lauren that he's very happy to see her with Leyla. Lauren explains that while she can easily give Leyla the money, Leyla will resent her for it because the relationship will be transactional. During Casey's surgery, Leyla apologises for asking for money. Lauren agrees to give it to Leyla because Leyla is awe-inspiring, being an immigrant who has faced many challenges. Lauren says she still loves Leyla romantically, but also as a person, and she wants to help Leyla succeed. Both cry.
4x18 - No Ifs, Ands or Buts[]
Leyla gives Lauren a paper bag. Lauren assumes it's a bagged lunch, but Leyla tells her it's $ 1000 because she's paying back her loan. Lauren says she won't count it because she trusts Leyla. Leyla says she'll have more the next week, but she can't leave a paper trail - the repayments have to be in cash. Leyla asks Casey for advice regarding the stress with Leyla, saying she wants to alleviate the stress by destroying her sobriety. She laughs off Casey's suggesting of "meditation and exercise". Lauren lashes out at an alternative medicine practitioner, to whom she then explains some of the situation. The practicioner asks how she can help. Lauren continues to receive parcels of money from Leyla. Leyla tells Lauren she won't need to borrow more because her case isn't winnable - she doesn't have a stable address. Lauren tells Leyla to live at her house. Leyla is concerned that it would hurt Lauren's sobriety, but Lauren says she's changed. The two share an uneasy hug.
4x21 - Castles Made of Sand[]
Lauren and Leyla bump into each other in the bathroom. Lauren grabs her toothbrush and leaves, forgetting toothpaste. She brushes her teeth with baking soda instead. While explaining safe sex to a group of prudish elderly people, Lauren makes a sex joke in reference to Dr. Shinwari to help loosen the tension. Leyla laughs in embarassment, and the two kiss when they get home.
4x22 - I'll Be Your Shelter[]
Lauren gets Leyla her favourite drink, a half-caf with two shakes of cinnamon and extra sauce. They kiss. Leyla and Lauren scheme to save a patient from sex trafficking. But when Leyla tries to officially get back together (implied: have sex), Lauren brings up the coffee from earlier. She says she noticed Leyla worrying if she has to pay her back. Lauren says Leyla needs her apartment and money and immigration, but Leyla doesn't need Lauren anymore. Lauren has all the power in the relationship; Leyla can't break up with her, or leave. Lauren moves "someplace safe".
5x01 - TBD[]
Lauren sleeps at Reynold's, who tells her to go back to her place. Lauren says she'd end up sleeping with Leyla. Lauren goes back to Leyla and asks if she can sleep in the spare room. Leyla accepts but Lauren sees that Leyla's new girlfriend is also living in the apartment. Lauren ends up at her sister's place.
Appearances[]
- New Amsterdam (3 seasons; 28 episodes)
- Season 3: Safe Enough; This is All I Need; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Catch; Disconnected; Radical; Pressure Drop; Fight Time; Death Begins in Radiology
- Season 4: More Joy; We're in This Together; Same as It Ever Was; Seed Money; This Be the Verse; Harmony; 'In a Strange Land; Death is the Rule. Life is the Exception; Family; Unto the Breach; All Night Long; Unfinished Business; No Ifs, Ands or Buts; Rise; Castles Made of Sand; I'll Be Your Shelter
- Season 5: TBD