Sepideh Moafi and Laëtitia Hollard are among the new cast members joining Dr. Robby in the E.D.

The Pitt cast: Here’s who’s back on call (and who’s new) in season 2

Sepideh Moafi and Laëtitia Hollard are among the new cast members joining Dr. Robby in the E.D.

By Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on *The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer*, and many other publications.

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January 8, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET

Kristin Villanueva, Alexandra Metz, Noah Wyle, Sepideh Moafi, Taylor Dearden, and Fiona Dourif in 'The Pitt' season 2. Credit:

Warrick Page/MAX

- HBO's Emmy-winning series *The Pitt* debuted its second season on Thursday, Jan. 8.

- The medical drama stars Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, Shawn Hatosy, and Patrick Ball.

- Sepideh Moafi (*Black Bird*) and newcomer Laëtitia Hollard joined the season 2 cast.

*The Pitt* invigorated audiences like a big sniff of smelling salts.

The HBO medical drama, created by *ER* veteran R. Scott Gemmill, was a word-of-mouth hit in 2024, its story of one eventful day in a Pittsburgh emergency room eventually pulling in roughly 10 million views per episode.

The series' visceral approach and real-time structure (each episode chronicles a single hour) help to highlight the emotional and physical toll on emergency personnel, offering an engrossing alternative to romance-forward medical dramas like *Grey's Anatomy*.

Season 1 of *The Pitt* cleaned up at the 2025 Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Drama Series and earning trophies for cast members Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Shawn Hatosy. ** was just as enamored with the ensemble, naming the show's doctors and nurses one of our 2025 Entertainers of the Year.

Before diving into season 2, why not reacquaint yourself with *The Pitt*'s heroic (and downtrodden) team? Along the way, we'll meet the new cast members bringing their expertise to the ER. Read on for EW's guide to *The Pitt*'s cast and characters.

Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby

Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby in 'The Pitt' season 2.

Warrick Page/MAX

Noah Wyle is no stranger to the emergency department, what with him having starred as Dr. John Carter on NBC's *ER* (1994–2005), a role that earned him four Emmy nods and three Golden Globe nominations.

Before *ER*, a baby-faced Wyle appeared in films like *A Few Good Men* (1992) and* Swing Kids* (1993). After leaving the show, he began his stint with the *Librarian* franchise, which consisted of a trio of TV movies (2004–2008) and a four-season TNT series (2014–2018). A 2025 spinoff series, *The Librarians: The Next Chapter,* is executive produced by Wyle.

His other notable credits include leading roles on *Falling Skies* (2011–2014) and *The Red Line* (2019).

On *The Pitt*, Wyle serves as a writer, executive producer, and star. His Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch, an attending physician coming apart at the seams, is "the linchpin of the show," according to Gemmill.

Gemmill added that season 2 will find Dr. Robby "coming to terms" with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

"One of the things that Robby has a habit of is, he's very good at telling people what to do, but not necessarily great at taking his own advice," Gemmill told EW. "He has to come to terms with setting an example, I think, for those who he works with so that he can't tell people to get help and to seek help if he's not doing it himself. So, you know, I think it's a journey of self-discovery for him as well in terms of his own mental health."**

Sepideh Moafi as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi

Sepideh Moafi as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi in 'The Pitt' season 2.

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Sepideh Moafi, the newest addition to *The Pitt*'s main cast, cut her teeth on episodes of *Blue Bloods* (2013) and *The Blacklist* (2015) before scoring leading roles on HBO's *The Deuce* (2017–2019), Showtime's *The L Word: Generation Q* (2019–2023), and Apple TV's Emmy-winning *Black Bird* (2022).

Here, she joins the cast as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, the attending physician who will cover for Dr. Robby when he goes on sabbatical. Well, *if* he goes on sabbatical.

"I don't know that he would really be totally accepting of anybody that was moving into his role," Wyle told EW. "You know, he's very proprietary about the E.D., and he runs his shop in a very specific way."

That tension will be a big part of season 2. "Honestly, I think like any woman in any field, especially a successful woman in any field, you're used to coming up against resistance, especially from your male counterparts," Moafi said. "She's ready, she's equipped, she's prepared. And like most women, and especially women of color, you are over prepared for whatever challenges you might face. And so I don't think it throws her off."

Checking into 'The Pitt': Stars and creator talk medical drama's success and what to expect in season 2

When does 'The Pitt' season 2 come out? Inside the Emmy-winning drama's next shift (and new characters)

Katherine LaNasa as Dana Evans

Katherine LaNasa as Dana Evans in 'The Pitt' season 2.

Warrick Page/MAX

A ballerina-turned-actress, Katherine LaNasa's early screen career included guest spots on *Seinfeld* (1995) and *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), as well as numerous TV movies and a role in Steven Soderbergh's 1996 brain-melter *Schizopolis. *

Though she'd later appear in films from Garry Marshall (*Valentine's Day*), Billy Bob Thornton (*Jayne Mansfield's Car*), and Jay Roach (*The Campaign*), LaNasa is best known for her dozens of TV roles. Highlights include *Judging Amy* (2003–2005), *Two and a Half Men* (2006–2011), *Truth Be Told* (2019–2023), and *Katy Keene* (2020).

LaNasa's steely turn as charge nurse Dana Evans earned her an Emmy, but fans nevertheless worried she may not return for season 2, given that season 1 ends with her at the end of her rope.

"She took some time off," Gemmill told EW. "She thought she was done, but she's been doing this a long time and I think she probably got a lot of calls from the ER saying, 'You know, we could really use you today.' She probably said no for a long time, and then eventually probably got bored and decided to come back."

After her harrowing encounter with a disgruntled patient last season, Dana will return "a little rougher around the edges and a little less outgoing perhaps than she was in the past," according to Gemmill.**

Patrick Ball as Dr. Frank Langdon

Patrick Ball as Dr. Frank Langdon in 'The Pitt' season 2.

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Patrick Ball had only appeared in a 2023 episode of *Law & Order* before joining *The Pitt*, though the North Carolina-born actor is a veteran of the stage.

As Dr. Frank Langdon, Ball was a key component of season 1, with the revelation that his character was stealing medication to fuel his benzo addiction serving as a major conflict. After a gnarly fight with Dr. Robby, Langdon is ordered to complete a rehabilitation program before returning to work.

Season 2 begins with Langdon's first day back in action, which will inevitably lead to some awkward encounters.**

"He's been forced to grow up in a lot of ways over these last 10 months," Ball told EW. "He's stepping back into this workplace of much trauma and much baggage. He's having to look his mentor Robby in the eye after having said some pretty nasty things to him — out of desperation, I think — at the end of season 1."**

Isa Briones as Dr. Trinity Santos

Isa Briones as Dr. Trinity Santos on 'The Pitt'.

Warrick Page/Max

After a stint in the first touring company of *Hamilton*, Isa Briones joined the cast of *Star Trek: Picard* (2020–2022) as the "daughter" of Data, the android memorably played by Brent Spiner on *Star Trek: The Next Picard. *

Briones' smart-alecky Dr. Trinity Santos, an intern with an inflated ego, got on the nerves of several characters in season 1. She was also the one who tipped Dr. Robby off to Langdon's pill addiction, meaning their reunion will likely be one of the more contentious in season 2.

"I don't think she necessarily knew that he was gonna [ever] come back," Briones told EW. "I think it always was on her mind, but I don't think she knew. And that kickstarts quite a journey of a day for her."**

Fiona Dourif as Dr. Cassie McKay

Fiona Dourif as Dr. Cassie McKay in 'The Pitt' season 2.

Warrick Page/HBO MAX

Fiona Dourif made her screen debut on HBO's *Deadwood* (2005), which starred her father, Oscar-nominated actor (and voice of murderous doll Chucky) Brad Dourif. She joined her pops in *Curse of Chucky* (2013) and *Cult of Chucky* (2017), as well as on the horror franchise's TV spinoff, *Chucky* (2021–2024).

On the big screen, Dourif has worked with acclaimed directors like Paul Thomas Anderson (*The Master*), Christopher Nolan (*Tenet*), and Oren Moverman (*The Messenger*). She helped lead the BBC America series *Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency* (2017), and enjoyed arcs on popular series like *True Blood* (2011) and *The Blacklist* (2018–2021).

On *The Pitt*, she plays Dr. Cassie McKay, a single mother with a dud ex and an ankle monitor.

Speaking with Awards Watch, Dourif said season 2 is an "existential" one for McKay. "She’s starting to turn inward and ask… what do I want my life to look like when I die? What is my life filled with actually? How many years am I going to simply take care of other people, both in the hospital, then at home with my son? When is the next time I’m going to have sex, for God’s sake? It’s a cool journey."**

Supriya Ganesh as Dr. Samira Mohan

Supriya Ganesh as Dr. Samira Mohan on 'The Pitt'.

Warrick Page/MAX

Supriya Ganesh made the rounds on shows like *Blue Bloods* (2018), *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (2022), and *Grown-ish* (2023–2024) before landing the role of Dr. Samira Mohan on *The Pitt*. (If acting didn't work out, she could have fallen back on the neuroscience degree she earned at Columbia University.)

As Ganesh put it to *Harper's Bazaar*, Mohan is "the doctor that everyone would want to see in the ER because she listens to you and takes you seriously."

The actress added, "She is first and foremost a patient advocate. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the people she ends up advocating for the most throughout the show are women, and particularly women of color. Because our experiences, our pain, are just not taken as seriously."

Taylor Dearden as Dr. Mel King

Taylor Dearden as Dr. Mel King on 'The Pitt'.

Warrick Page/Max

Taylor Dearden made her screen debut in a season 3 episode of *Breaking Bad* (2010), the Emmy-winning crime drama starring her dad, Bryan Cranston. From there, she landed a leading role on MTV's *Sweet/Vicious* (2016–2017) and also appeared on Netflix's *American Vandal* (2018) and Apple TV's *For All Mankind* (2022).

Dearden costars on *The Pitt* as Dr. Mel King, a neurodivergent second-year resident who emerged as one of season 1's most memorable characters. In season 2, she'll find herself staring down a malpractice lawsuit.**

Gerran Howell as Dennis Whitaker

Gerran Howell as Dr. Dennis Whitaker in 'The Pitt' season 2.

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Gerran Howell rose to fame as a child on CBBC's *Young Dracula* (2006–2014), on which he starred for five seasons. The Welsh actor went on to land a supporting role in Sam Mendes' Oscar-winning film *1917* (2019), as well as NBC's *Emerald City* (2017) and Hulu's adaptation of Joseph Heller's *Catch-22* (2019).

Howell brings his mousy charm to the insecure Dennis Whitaker on *The Pitt*. Season 2 sees Whitaker, a.k.a. Huckleberry, easing into being a first-year resident. Now, the students are looking to him for wisdom, which is bound to rattle him.

"There's a lot of stuff where I'm now sort of imparting my wisdom that was given to me by Dr. Robby to these new medical students, which is great," Howell told EW. "And I think he does it with a lot of empathy because of where he was in season 1. He can really see how overwhelming this environment can be."**

Shabana Azeez as Victoria Javadi

Shabana Azeez as Victoria Javadi on 'The Pitt'.

John Johnson/MAX

Prior to joining *The Pitt*, Shabana Azeez appeared in several films and series in her native Australia, including Netflix's *Run Rabbit Run* (2023), in which she starred opposite Sarah Snook and Damon Herriman.

Her Victoria Javadi is a 20-year-old wunderkind whose parents are both brilliant doctors working at the same hospital. Being so young, the third-year resident has a tougher road to respect than many of her peers (and it doesn't help that her mother can't stop looking over her shoulder).

Azeez previously told EW that season 2 will see Victoria learning to assert herself. "I think sometimes we have these perceptions of ourselves as like, *Oh, I'm nice*, or *I'm gentle*, or *I'm patient,*." she said. "And then somebody comes and pushes those exact buttons that you didn't even know existed, and you're like, *Oh my God!* And I think it's really exciting to watch her be like Santos, be like Whitaker."

Laëtitia Hollard as Emma

Laetitia Hollard as Emma in 'The Pitt' season 2.

Warrick Page/HBO MAX

Juilliard grad Laëtitia Hollard joins *The Pitt *as Emma, a fresh-faced nurse finding her footing after graduation.

"Emma helps [Dana] see why she got into nursing in the first place," LaNasa told EW of her character's relationship with her new coworker. "I think, in a way, protecting Emma and teaching Emma about the importance of protecting herself in the workplace is kind of like a projection. It's a way of protecting herself, and it's a way of giving meaning to what happened to her."

Shawn Hatosy as Dr. Jack Abbot

Shawn Hatosy as Dr. Jack Abbott on 'The Pitt'.

Warrick Page/MAX

Shawn Hatosy rose to fame in the late 1990s for his starring roles in *The Faculty* (1998) and *Anywhere But Here* (1999). He went on to work with lauded filmmakers like Michael Mann (*Public Enemies*), Werner Herzog (*Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans*), and Nick Cassavetes (*John Q, Alpha Dog*).

For many viewers, though, he'll be familiar for his starring roles on the TNT dramas *Southland* (2009–2013) and *Animal Kingdom* (2016–2022).

Hatosy's performance as Dr. Jack Abbott, a war veteran and amputee, in* The Pitt*'s first season earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor. He'll return in season 2, and will also direct an episode.

"There's always a healthy dose of nerves and fear when you're both directing and acting," he said in an August 2025 interview with *Today*. "The first time you present a character on a TV show, it's terrifying because you're like, 'Whatever I do now I have to commit to for however many years this goes.' So there's just a lot of anxiety. With directing, you're responsible for so many departments and ideas, and it's definitely scary, but that is what keeps you working so hard. It's a good scary. It's the kind that you need to sort of give you that lift."

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Source: “EW Medical”