Their inclusion gives the acclaimed medical drama one of the strongest showings in this year’s acting categories and sets up an unusual contest between co-stars when the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards take place on September 14.
Three Very Different Performances From One of TV’s Biggest Dramas
Since premiering in 2025, “The Pitt” has earned widespread acclaim for its real-time storytelling and its grounded depiction of life inside a Pittsburgh emergency department. The series follows doctors, nurses, and medical students through a single hospital shift, allowing each member of its ensemble to develop complex character arcs over the course of the season.
Patrick Ball‘s nomination recognizes his work as Dr. Frank Langdon, a talented senior resident whose professional brilliance is overshadowed by an addiction that ultimately jeopardizes his career. His storyline, which continues into the second season following rehabilitation, became one of the show’s most emotionally charged arcs.
Gerran Howell, meanwhile, earned recognition for portraying Dr. Dennis Whitaker, a compassionate medical student whose quiet determination and empathy steadily transform him into one of the emergency department’s most dependable young physicians. His character grows significantly across the first two seasons, balancing medical challenges with deeply personal struggles.
Rounding out the trio is Shawn Hatosy, whose recurring role as veteran attending physician Dr. Jack Abbot has become increasingly important to the series. Beyond his on-screen performance, Hatosy also directed an episode during the second season, further expanding his contribution to one of HBO Max’s signature dramas.
With three actors from the same series competing in the category, “The Pitt” enters Emmy night with multiple paths to victory, even as its own cast stands in each other’s way.