The Pitt, the US medical drama that has swept awards and become a word-of-mouth hit, is finally launching in the UK. Developed by the team behind the 1990s hit ER, the show follows the staff of a cash-strapped emergency room in Pittsburgh as they deal with gunshot wounds, fentanyl overdoses and burnout.
The series, which premiered in the US in January 2025, is set in real time, with each season covering a single shift and each episode an hour. The set, modelled on Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, is a meticulous recreation on a soundstage in Burbank, California, with every drawer fully stocked and every drug bottle individually labelled.
Noah Wyle, who stars as Dr Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, says the show 'breaks through the cynicism of the sophisticated viewer'. Katherine LaNasa, who plays charge nurse Dana Evans, won an Emmy for her performance. The show has been praised for its accuracy and its portrayal of healthcare workers.
The Pitt has been a rare economic success in a contracting Hollywood, using a single set and a relatively unknown cast. It has been described as 'gritty and relentless', dissecting American social issues with a 'bloody scalpel'. The UK release follows a significant delay after its US success.
