Guide to the Cast of “The Pitt” [for Patients]: Getting to Know the Actors Joining the ER Team for Dr. Robby’s Assistance

MAX‘s latest medical series, The Pitt, brings viewers into the chaotic world of a Pittsburgh emergency room, where a dedicated team of healthcare professionals faces the challenges of saving lives during a single intense fifteen-hour shift. While the main characters like Dr. Robby, Head Nurse Dana Evans, and the supporting medical staff shine on the screen, a significant part of the show’s essence comes from the diverse array of patients they encounter.

Within the initial episodes of The Pitt, viewers experience a rollercoaster of emotions as they witness med student Whitaker forming a bond with a patient only to suffer a heartbreaking loss. They also see intern Dr. Mel King expressing concerns about a family being torn apart due to a child’s accidental consumption of a pot gummy, and observe ethical debates between Dr. Robby and Dr. Collins about end-of-life decisions.

Viewers might find themselves recognizing Dr. Mohan’s sickle cell anemia patient or recalling the characters involved in the fentanyl crisis from other media. Additionally, the intriguing mysteries surrounding certain patients and their resemblances to familiar figures keep the audience engaged and eager to uncover the connections within the narrative.

From Snack Shack‘s Mika Abdalla to Fall of the House of Usher‘s Samantha Sloyan, here’s your guide to all the familiar faces showing up for care — of the physical or mental kind — as guest stars in The Pitt cast:

Joanna Going as Theresa Saunders, the mother who poisons herself with Ipecac just to get her troubled son to the ER for an intervention. If you’re wondering where you know the great Joanna Going from, it could be from the many, many shows she’s appeared on, including Mad Men, or even deep ‘90s cut Inventing the Abbotts. 

Jackson Kelly as David Saunders, Theresa’s teen son who bolts after Dr. Robby attempts to talk to him about his mental health and disturbing list of girls he wishes to hurt. Dr. McKay (Fiona Dourif) begins referring to him an “incel” in the series.

Bess Rous as Sherry Davis, a single mother whom Dr. McKay treats with med student Javadi (Shabana Azeez) in Episode 1. Sherry is covered in burns after trying to make s’mores for her children on a steno burner and clearly is living hand to mouth. 

Kim Bonifay as Amanda Jones, the doting mother of little Tyler Jones, who arrives at the hospital mysteriously unresponsive. She grows feral when it’s revealed her child is high on a pot gummy found in his dad’s coat pocket.

Riley Neldam as Drew Jones, the poor sot who is now in the dog house with his wife because a buddy slipped him some gummies that he forgot about. Let’s hope he eventually gets off the couch, even if his son has been unwittingly given a controlled substance. 

Wesley River as Tyler Jones, the comatose little angel in question. May he eventually wake up.

Arun Storrs as Minu, the mysterious Nepali woman who was potentially pushed onto metro tracks in a possible hate crime. We don’t know much about Minu yet besides the fact that she was saved by a “Good Samaritan” and she can somehow tell Dr. Collins is pregnant. 

Drew Powell as Doug Driscoll, an incredibly rude patient stewing over the long wait in the lobby. You might know Powell for his long run on Gotham first as Fish Mooney’s enforcer, Butch Gilzean, and later as reanimated villain Solomon Grundy. 

David Reivers as Mr. Milton, the kind man who med student Whitaker bonds with early in Episode 1, only to lose the patient in a tragic twist. Reivers is best known for being the IRL father of actor Corben Bleu. 

Ashley Romans as Joyce St. Claire, a woman brought in by cops who don’t realize she’s in the middle of a debilitating sickle cell anemia episode. Dr. Mohan comes to her rescue. Romans earned raved reviews a few years back as Agent 355 in FX’s adaptation of Y: The Last Man.

Mariel Suarez as Ondine, Joyce’s steadfast and loving wife, who is patiently waiting by her side in the ER. 

Rebecca Tilney as Helen Spencer, the grieving daughter of an elderly patient brought into the ER from a nursing home. Helen argues for her father to be intubated to save his life despite his DNR wishes. Dr. Robby reluctantly assents. 

Mackenzie Astin as Jeremy Spencer, Helen’s brother. While Helen is adamant their father be kept alive at all costs, Jeremy seems a bit less convinced. Astin comes from the Astin acting family and is the younger son of John Astin and Patty Duke and the brother of Sean Astin. 

Brandon Keener as John Bradley, the father of young Nick Bradley, a college kid who died of a fentanyl overdose brought on by Xanax purchased online. John explodes at another patient, Jenna, when he mistakenly believes that the co-ed, who narrowly escaped death from fentanyl herself, gave Nick the drugs.

Samantha Sloyan as Lily Bradley, Nick’s religious mother who is struggling to accept that her son is really dead. Sloyan recently appeared in Netflix’s hit horror series, The Fall of the House of Usher. 

Mika Abdalla as Jenna, the college kid who is saved by Dr. McKay from a fentanyl overdose. Jenna explains that her study group was working so hard that they were struggling to sleep, hence the Xanax. Abdalla co-starred opposite Gabriel LaBelle in last year’s Snack Shack.

Blake Shields as Hank, aka Nail Gun Guy, a verbose patient fond of spouting colorful language as the doctors attempt to save him from a nail to the chest. 

Jeanette O’Connor as Myrna, a regular in the Pitt who harasses Dr. Robby with cruel nicknames and remains handcuffed to a wheelchair. 

Future guest stars on The Pitt Episode 4 “10 AM” include Abby Ryder Fortson, Marguerite Moreau, Eva Everett Irving, and Ian Stanley.

The Pitt Episode 4 “10 AM” premieres exclusively on MAX at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Thursday, January 23.