10 Interesting Facts About The Pitt

The Pitt debuted to considerable critical acclaim in January 2025, with many praising its realism of an American emergency department.
Every episode covers a single hour at a hospital, with the series following the staff during a 15-hour shift in the ER.
The real-time concept, exceptional performances, and superb writing, direction, and cinematography have resulted in multiple award nominations. Also, due to its popularity, season two is scheduled to arrive on TV screens in January 2026.
If you loved the show and want to learn more about it, here are ten interesting facts about The Pitt.
1. The Pitt is Filmed in LA – Not Pittsburgh!

The Pitt might be set in Pittsburgh, but it is filmed in Los Angeles, California. However, it incorporates various local references, and the exterior shots are filmed in Pittsburgh for authenticity.
As real as the hospital might look, it is shot on a sound stage. The show’s production designer, Nina Ruscio, had the tall task of designing and constructing a 25-bed emergency department on a 360-degree set.
The set was reportedly inspired by Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital and is 20,000 square feet. Also, it was built with the show’s detailed choreography and camera movements in mind.
2. Dr. King is Bryan Cranston’s Daughter

Taylor Dearden’s delivered a standout performance as Dr. Mel King in season one, with her character, who is second-year resident, excelling when placed under the most intense pressures.
It is hardly surprising that the rising star gave a standout performance, as acting runs through her veins, as she is the daughter of Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad).
The talented actress made a deliberate choice to use her mother’s maiden name to avoid nepotism.
Cranston recently spoke of Taylor in a 2023 interview with GQ, describing her as “very independent and very conscientious of not having any association or hint thereof of nepotism.”
3. Real Nurses Serve as Background Actors

Authenticity is essential when filming The Pitt, as people need to believe they are watching a genuine emergency department.
For this reason, production hired real nurses and physician assistants to perform as background actors. As they know what to do when treating patients, it added to the show’s accuracy and realism.
4. Certified Doctors Ensured Medical Accuracy

In addition to hiring real-life nurses and physician assistants to act in the background, the show hired seven board-certified, residency-trained doctors to serve as consultants. It ensured that every medical decision made was possible and factual.
What’s more, The Pitt’s cast receive two weeks of training from the doctors to learn how to perform various emergency medical procedures for realism.
For instance, cast members learned about CPR, intubation, tracheotomies, ultrasounds, drawing blood, and more.
The actors often performed the procedures on volunteers or medical dummies to perfect their techniques, too.
5. The Actors Had to Agree to Noah Wyle’s Mission Statement

During the audition process, auditionees received a mission statement created by Noah Wyle, detailing the commitment expected from The Pitt’s chosen ensemble cast.
According to Isa Briones (Dr. Santos), the mission statement roughly said, “This is a very specific type of show. It’s intense. It’s fast-paced. It’s like theatre. We are a group of players. If you can be a team player who is ready to lock in with a family, then this is the place for you.”
Wyle created the mission statement to set expectations for the show and create a family-like connection during filming.
He recently told Variety, “We see each other fall in love, get married, have children, get divorced. Those relationships transcend the screen and become palpable to an audience who wants to be part of that family. I’ve tried to create it in every job I’ve gone on, but with varying degrees of success.”
6. Dr. McKay’s Real Father Guest Starred on the Show

The father of Fiona Dourif, who plays Dr. Cassie McKay, guest-starred in the first season of The Pitt.
Brad Dourif appeared as her character’s father, Neil McKay, in episode 14, which he later stated was a “very tender moment to shoot.”
You may remember his voice, as the retired actor is best known for voicing the killer doll Chucky in Child’s Play and the TV show.
7. Every Actor Knows Their Character’s Backstory

As viewers only learn about characters during their time at the hospital, each actor received their character’s whole backstory before filming season one.
The creators provided each cast member with a whole page of their backstory, but stated there was still room to play with it. Also, they welcome ideas from the actors and actresses to support their characters’ development.
Many of the actors have provided an insight into their characters. Katherine LaNasa, who plays Dana, revealed her character has a big family and that her mom died while she was in high school.
Also, Taylor Dearden confirmed Dr King is the sole caretaker of her sister Becca and that her parents have passed away.
8. The Episodes Are Filmed in Order

Unlike most TV shows that film episodes in varying order, The Pitt is filmed in continuity. Production started on episode one and finished on episode 15, and the cast received the scripts one at a time.
9. Season One Earned 13 Emmy Nominations

Season one of The Pitt recently received 13 nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards 2025.
The show earned nods in various categories, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Noah Wyle), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Katherine LaNasa), and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Shawn Hatosy).
10. The Crew Wears Scrubs

To avoid crew members appearing in reflections on The Pitt’s 360-degree set, many had to wear scrubs to maintain authenticity if caught on a highly polished surface.
It ensured no mistakes were visible on screen and helped to create a greater illusion of a busy hospital.