How The Pitt’s Realism Impacts The Actors and The Audience: Shawn Hatosy, Emmy-Winning Actor and Director

“When I’m working on The Pitt as an actor or director, there’s not a moment when I’m not thinking about what these medical professionals are experiencing day to day,” says actor Shawn Hatosy, who plays Dr. Jack Abbot on HBO Max’s hit medical drama.

Hatosy’s respect for real-life clinicians not only includes the scope of their expertise, but also their ability to show up for their patients every day despite the psychological burdens that often come with the work, a theme that the series explores in great depth. 

As we mark Men's Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S., Raise the Line from Elsevier host Lindsey Smith sits down with Hatosy for a fascinating look behind the scenes at his Emmy- winning work to bring the very complex character of Dr. Abbot to life, and the import of what he and his castmates are portraying on screen. "You’ve got guys who can handle anything, any kind of medical crisis, but they're not necessarily equipped to deal with what's happening inside themselves." 

Tune in for a powerful story of how the show’s realism is impacting clinicians, what it’s like to direct the “ballet” that unfolds in each scene, the similarity between his lines on The Pitt and Shakespeare, and who his favorite characters are.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Pitt

Mental Health Resources from American College of Emergency Physicians

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