The Emmy-winning Pittsburgh-set medical drama returns to HBO Max Thursday, with another 15 episodes set in one shift.
In what counts as a quick turnaround these days in the world of prestige TV, “The Pitt” returns for its second season, and second day in the life of a frenetic Pittsburgh emergency room run by Noah Wyle’s beleaguered and beloved Dr. Robby.
The first episode of Season 2 premieres Thursday on HBO Max at 9 p.m. Eastern. Expectations will be a lot higher this time. In the 10 months since Season 1 ended, “The Pitt” won the best drama Emmy along with four others, including best actor for Wyle and supporting actress for Katherine LaNasa, who will be returning despite her character vowing to quit after taking a punch. Ten months have also passed in the world of the show, which will again follow a single ER shift, this time on a July Fourth weekend.
Here’s what you need to know heading into Thursday’s Season 2 premiere:
How many episodes will there be?
“The Pitt” is stepping into Season 2 with another 15 episodes set in one shift, taking place 10 months after the Labor Day dramatic events depicted in Season 1.
Will there be new cast members?
Yes, including Sepideh Moafi, who enters as the new attending physician, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi. Dr. Al-Hashimi is set to take over as Dr. Robby heads off on a soul-cleansing motorcycle sabbatical after what looks to be a lethal final shift.
Other new cast members for Season 2 include Irene Choi, as Joy, a third-year medical student, and Laëtitia Hollard, who joins “The Pitt” as Emma, a nursing school graduate.
Why does ‘The Pitt’ take place 10 months after Season 1?
Waiting 10 months in “The Pitt” storyline allows for the return of the smoldering fan favorite, Dr. Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball), who was suspended pending treatment for stealing prescription drugs from his patients in Season 1.
Episode 1 of the new season features both Langdon’s tense return after 10 months and Dr. Al-Hashimi’s first day.
The July 4 holiday setting feels apt since it’s “huge in emergency rooms across the nation,” R. Scott Gemmill, creator and executive producer of “The Pitt,” tells USA TODAY. “With all the barbeques, the explosions, the alcohol, it seemed like a perfect fit.”
Will we actually see Pittsburgh in Season 2?
Yes, but not much. The show is shot primarily in Burbank, California. A crew did travel to Pittsburgh in September for some exterior shots, primarily outside Allegheny General Hospital.
What kind of Pittsburgh references will be in Season 2?
According to TribLive, Yinz can expect to hear plenty of local references. “Better Off Without You,” by veteran Pittsburgh band The Clarks, plays during the opening scene in the first episode. Subsequent episodes feature references to to West Penn Hospital, Kennywood, Zambelli fireworks, 7 Springs, Giant Eagle, PNC Park, Frick Park Lawn Bowling Club, Allegheny Community College, Point Park University, Millvale’s Fourth of July parade, Sonny’s Tavern, and the Tree of Life shooting.
What are the cast members saying?
Wyle says the ‘sophomore slump’ is real ahead of Season 2.
“The proverbial ‘sophomore slump’ is real,” said Wyle. “When you have something as impactful and as successful as our first season, it’s inevitable that you’re going to be combating expectations.”
Executive producer John Wells, who also executive-produced “ER,” combatted that pressure by telling the cast before filming that they “didn’t have to do it bigger, better or faster,” Wyle recalled.
“He said, ‘You just have to do it again, remember what you did the first time, and stay true to the characters,’” Wyle recalled.
Information from the Associated Press with used in this report.
Keystone Senior Newsletter Editor Patrick Berkery contributed to this report.
