The Pitt star Shawn Hatosy reflected on the challenges that come with adapting to the show’s cast changes.
“You start a show — and I’ve started a couple of them — and you just don’t know if it’s going to make it, if it’s going to last a season or if it’s going to last five episodes,” Hatosy, 50, exclusively told Us at Warner Bros. Television Group’s 78th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees Celebration on Sunday, September 13. “So you start out [and] it’s very exciting because you don’t know what’s in store and you become this family.”
Hatosy, who plays Dr. Abbot, recalled how the cast bonded, adding, “You work long hours. Although we don’t work long hours in The Pitt, you do spend a lot of time together, and it’s stressful — some of the work — sometimes. So you lean on each other.”
He continued: “And then — if you’re lucky — you get to go to the Emmy Awards and do these kinds of events. So you really get to know each other. The fact that sometimes we — particularly with the nature of the show and how people do leave — it’s hard. It’s hard on us, but that’s television.”
The medical drama premiered on HBO Max in January 2025 and follows a group of employees at a fictional Pittsburgh hospital’s ER working a single 15-hour shift. The team includes Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle), Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball), nurse Dana (Katherine LaNasa), Dr. Mohan (Supriya Ganesh), Dr. McKay (Fiona Dourif), Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), Dr. Santos (Isa Briones), Dr. Whitaker (Gerran Howell) and medical student Javadi (Shabana Azeez).
The Pitt first shocked viewers with Tracy Ifeachor‘s exit as Dr. Collins after season 1. Before the show returned for season 3, Ganesh, 28, also departed the show as her character’s arc wrapped up on screen.
Despite the shakeups, Hatosy has a positive outlook on The Pitt‘s future following its 12 nominations at the Emmys, which take place on Monday, September 14.
“I think it’ll go for as long as the writers have stories in their brains to deliver,” Hatosy told Us on Sunday. “I don’t see it stopping. It’s an efficient show. It’s shot here in L.A. It’s not expensive. It makes a lot of sense.”
Hatosy went on to tease what fans can expect from season 3, which will debut in January 2027.
“We know it starts early in the day. It’s no secret that we’re gonna see a little bit of the night shift before Robby comes back,” he noted. “I think we all know that he does because otherwise we don’t have a season.”
The actor promised that The Pitt is “the same show” season to season, adding, “It’s always been about the characters and the medicine and what the challenges that these medical professionals face. I’ve read the first five [episodes], and it’s just as good — if not better — than the previous two seasons.”
As for possible onscreen changes? “My hair is a little longer,” Hatosy teased about Abbot’s transformation. “That’s a surprise.”
The Pitt is currently streaming on HBO Max.
