It’s been 16 years since producer John Wells and actor Noah Wyle left the medical drama world with the conclusion of their acclaimed series “ER” (1994). Since then, television has been plagued with countless good and bad shows following the lives of various doctors and nurses, such as “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005), “House” (2004) and “Nurse Jackie” (2009).
Now, in 2025, Wells and Wyle, with producer R. Scott Gemmill, return to the medical world with their new HBO series “The Pitt.” Set in an ER in Pittsburgh, the show takes a grounded approach to medical television, cutting out any unnecessary outside work drama to focus more on ER workers’ realistic, day-to-day struggles in a post-COVID-19 world. What distinguishes “The Pitt” from other medical shows is its unique format. Season 1 consists of 15 episodes, with each episode representing one hour of a fifteen-hour shift. The show also stars Katherine LaNasa, Taylor Dearden and Fiona Dourif.
Spanning fifteen seasons and winning 23 Primetime Emmy Awards, “ER” quickly became one of the most beloved and well-respected medical shows, hailed for its dedication to realism and practicality. Many fans, including myself, started watching “ER” and fell in love with the intelligent and interesting characters but stayed for the gritty, traumatic moments.
“The Pitt” successfully carries over all the great qualities of “ER” and other medical dramas while knowing when and where to shed some lesser qualities they’re known for. “The Pitt” strictly focuses on what occurs within the hospital walls, making for a much more streamlined viewing experience.
Wells had his cast and crew go through a multi-week training program leading up to the show, teaching everyone the ins and outs of being an ER doctor or nurse. This paid off and then some, as many real doctors have called “The Pitt” the most accurate medical drama ever created. To further heighten the show’s authenticity, the production created an expansive and highly detailed set that seems eerily similar to actual emergency rooms.
Each cast member perfectly embodies their respective character, with none being better than Noah Wyle. Having sixteen years of experience on “ER,” it’s incredible to see where Wyle started in 1994 and where he is now in 2025. Wyle’s Dr. Robby is the show’s anchor, guiding the audience through every heartbreak and life saved.
In addition to Wyle’s Emmy-worthy performance, “The Pitt” also has incredible performances from the entire cast, especially Taylor Dearden as Dr. Melissa King, Katherine LaNasa as Charge Nurse Dana Evans and Gerran Howell as student-doctor Dennis Whitaker.
Overall, “The Pitt,” despite only being halfway through its first season, sets the tone for what a modern-day medical drama should be like. “The Pitt” has already been greenlit for a Season 2.
Rating (so far): 4/5
