Cinema from the Spectrum

Medical dramas have long been a staple of North American television. The late 1970s and 1980s gave us standouts like M*A*S*H, St. Elsewhere, and China Beach. In 1994, two major entries premiered: David E. Kelley’s Chicago Hope—following the success of Picket Fences—and ER, which ultimately dominated the ratings.

ER was created by Michael Crichton, best known as the author of The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, the latter of which he also co-wrote for the screen. A Harvard Medical School graduate, Crichton never practiced medicine, but his understanding of the field informed the realism of ER, which ran from 1994 to 2009. The show launched the careers of George Clooney and Julianna Margulies, and especially Noah Wyle, who portrayed Dr. John Carter until Season 11. Now, more than a decade later, Wyle returns to the hospital setting—this time both starring in and co-developing The Pitt, alongside former ER writer and producer R. Scott Gemmill.

Set over fifteen real-time hours at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, The Pitt wastes no time immersing us in the high-stakes world of emergency medicine. Wyle plays Dr. Michael Robinavitch, or “Dr. Robby, ” the senior attending physician, still haunted by the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wyle delivers an intense, empathetic performance, grounding the show in a quiet resilience that makes him instantly compelling.

One of the show’s biggest strengths is its ensemble cast. Tracey Ifeachor plays Dr. Heather Collins, a senior resident, and Patrick Ball’s Frank Langdon serves as both another senior resident and Robby’s right-hand man. Katherine LaNasa stands out as Dana Evans, the charge nurse, bringing a fiery energy to every scene she’s in.

The junior staff are just as fleshed out: Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh), a third-year resident and daughter of a senior physician, brings complexity to the idea of medical legacy. Fiona Dourif plays Cassie McKay, a second-year resident under legal supervision via an ankle monitor. Taylor Dearden portrays Dr. Mel King, a neurodivergent doctor with experience working with veterans, adding a layer of realism often missing from portrayals of disability. Isa Briones is excellent as the sharp and headstrong first-year, Dr. Trinity Santos. But it’s Gerran Howell as Dennis “Huckleberry” Whitaker, a fourth-year med student from rural Nebraska, who quietly steals the show. He seems to be a magnet for misfortune, and Howell plays it with heart and humor.

The Pitt grabs your attention early and doesn’t let go. It’s emotionally intense, occasionally uplifting, and often heartbreaking. The show doesn’t shy away from exposing the flaws in the American healthcare system: overloaded staff, long wait times, and bureaucratic pressures. Chief Medical Officer Gloria Underwood (Michael Hyatt) adds further tension, constantly pushing for higher patient satisfaction scores, while Robby fights to get more nurses hired.

Be warned: The Pitt is not for the squeamish. The medical realism is often graphic, but refreshingly unsentimental. Tubes, catheters, and even balloons, used in procedures like angioplasty, are all part of the show’s commitment to authenticity. One particularly intense example is a birth scene that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination; it’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. I genuinely applaud the decision not to shy away from it; it’s a moment that respects both the physical intensity and emotional gravity of childbirth without gloss or melodrama. Anecdotally, several healthcare professionals have praised the show’s accuracy, noting how it captures the atmosphere and pressure of a real ER. From my own (limited) experience as a patient, the portrayal of the waiting room is particularly spot-on. A clever detail: patients seen waiting in one episode may not be treated until several episodes later, reinforcing the real-time nature of the storytelling.

My one major criticism is that at times the dialogue veers into preachy territory. Characters occasionally sound like they’re delivering political speeches about nursing shortages or systemic failures. While these are important issues, and likely do surface in real hospital break rooms, the writing in these moments can feel stilted and forced. Fortunately, these lapses are the exception, not the rule.

Watch the trailer right here.

All images via HBO Max.

Episodes Directed by John Wells, Amanda Marsalis, Damian Marcano, John Cameron, Silver Tree and Quyen Tran
Episodes Written by R. Scott Gemmill, Joe Sachs, Noah Wyle, Simran Baidwan, Cynthia Adarkwa, Valerie Chu and Elyssa Gershman
Created by R. Scott Gemmill
Produced by Michelle Lankwarden and Cynthia Adarkwa
Starring Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez
Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2025
15 Episodes