10 Best Characters In The Pitt, Ranked
On Max’s hit medical drama, The Pitt, audiences meet a vast array of characters, from doctors and interns to patients and EMTs, but the following 10 characters are the best of the best. First released in January 2025, The Pitt follows a single 15-hour shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. Over the course of this day, tragedy strikes the doctors in big and small ways, ranging from grief and addiction to devastating losses and a shockingly violent crime. Each member of The Pitt’s staff brings their own unique personality to the table, creating both fun and chaos.
The Pitt boasts a huge number of characters. While they certainly vary in terms of screen time and importance to the plot, just about every character comes in with a memorable and distinct personality, from the best doctor to the briefest patient. In this way, it can be hard to narrow down just 10 characters who are the very best of the series. These are the figures who are most likely to pull on viewers’ heartstrings, create an intense emotional reaction, and who have the most compelling stories.
10
Abbot
A Genuine No-Nonsense Doctor
A character who didn’t necessarily have the most screen time but managed to make a big impact is Abbot. An emergency room attending at The Pitt, Abbot is introduced in the first episode as the doctor leaving the night shift who is contemplating jumping from the hospital’s roof. Later, he returns to help during the Pittfest shooting, proving his medical prowess (aided by his time in the military) and his warm, genuine character. Abbot is as selfless and skilled as they come.
Related
What Happened To Dr. Abbot’s Leg In The Pitt? Season 1 Finale Reveal Explained
The end of The Pitt’s season 1 finale reveals that Shawn Hatosy’s Dr. Jack Abbot is a single-leg amputee, but the show doesn’t explain his injury.
What makes Abbot so compelling are all the little details of his character. At the start of the series, we see him on the edge of The Pitt’s roof, which sets a rather depressing tone. However, Abbot proves that The Pitt’s doctors are hardy, and able to see the good in what they do. One moment that sticks out is when he reprimands Santos for doing a dangerous procedure herself, but then quietly praises her because what she did was “badass.” Abbot is a good doctor, but is willing to bend the rules for the benefit of his patients.
9
Javadi
A Realistic Med Student
It isn’t just The Pitt’s best doctors that are interesting; it’s their interns too. Javadi is a 20-year-old medical student who is joining the ER staff for her very first day. Soon after arriving, Javadi faints and is relegated to chairs. Yet, over time, she proves that she is bright enough and even strong enough to handle the trauma of the emergency room. Her story is only deepened by the fact that her mother works as a surgeon in the hospital, creating a tense dynamic between them both.
Truthfully, Javadi’s weakest moments are her best, mostly because they are totally realistic. Despite the fact that Javadi has studied to become a doctor, it makes sense that she would struggle at the sight of blood or needles. This doesn’t make her a bad character or doctor, but just makes her human in the best way. Plus, Javadi brings a mischievous kind of youth to the show, especially through her crush on Mateo, which adds some much-needed levity.
8
Mohan
A Compassionate Resident
Next up is Mohan. This emergency resident is one of the more knowledgeable doctors at the hospital, yet she still has a lot to learn. Mohan’s main hang-up is that she’s slow with her patients, yet she only takes a long time because she is dedicated to forming a connection with the people she treats. This makes her a better doctor (and boosts the hospital’s patient satisfaction scores.) Later, during the Pittfest episodes, Mohan proves that she can take on big, dangerous cases with the best of them.
In this way, Mohan’s biggest weakness is also her greatest strength.
Two of Mohan’s shining moments that make her easy to love are when she treats her Sickle Cell patient and her influencer patient. When a patient comes in claiming to have Sickle Cell, others assume she is drug-seeking, but Mohan believes her and treats her accordingly, with kindness and understanding. In the same vein, Mohan manages to catch that her influencer patient is subtly poisoning herself, which other doctors were eager to overlook. In this way, Mohan’s biggest weakness is also her greatest strength.
7
Langdon
A Troubled, Determined Doctor
As we climb the ranks of The Pitt’s best doctors, we have to take a look at Langdon. This resident definitely charmed audiences during his early episodes through his quick wit and his tender relationship with Mel. However, when it is later revealed that Langdon has been taking drugs from patients, his character becomes less likable yet far more captivating. Viewers are made to wonder how such a good doctor could also be a drug addict. His tense dynamic with Santos is just the cherry on top.
Related
Although a beloved character dynamic with Dr. Frank Langdon was missing from The Pitt’s season 1 finale, it made the impact of his new low stronger.
All of this is to say that Langdon is a great character because he is so complicated. The revelation of his addiction is a massive shock, but it adds so many layers to him. It is clear that Langdon is a caring doctor who is good at what he does, so his drug problems show that he does have a weakness that could end up being detrimental to his career. It is also awesome to see how Langdon’s drug plotline parallels that on John Carter’s in ER.
6
McKay
A Doctor With A Story
Another The Pitt character with an incredible story is McKay. Through her early episodes, we learn that McKay is not your traditional doctor, having started her medical career later in life and diligently working her way up. On top of that, we get hints of a dark and upsetting past, particularly through the ankle monitor on her leg. Yet, this edgy detail only makes McKay more likable, as we discover more about her relationship with her son and the unfairness of her situation. She is a strong and opinionated woman.
It would be easy for McKay to be a meek and quiet person due to her run-ins with the law and danger, yet these things only make her more vocal.
McKay’s best moments are the ones in which she makes her voice heard. It would be easy for McKay to be a meek and quiet person due to her run-ins with the law and danger, yet these things only make her more vocal. In particular, McKay pushes Robby to keep an eye on David, the patient’s son, who made a hit list of girls at his school. Ultimately, audiences get to decide if McKay did the right thing, but regardless, her tendency to speak up makes her very admirable.
5
Whitaker
An Intern With Hidden Talents
Although The Pitt’s interns are the most inexperienced of the bunch, they make for some of the most entertaining and lovable characters. Whitaker is a prime example. A medical intern from the Midwest, he is the definition of a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed intern who is ready to learn but may not be ready for the big leagues. However, Whitaker quickly proves that he is an insightful and kind professional who is willing to learn and take a lot of hits in the name of medicine.
Whitaker has countless golden moments, yet the best ones are when we get to learn a little bit more about his past. Whittaker is open about the fact that he grew up on a farm, but these skills suddenly come into use when he catches a rat that had been on the loose. Similarly, the finale episode twist where it was revealed that Whitaker has been living in the hospital made him far more interesting, and raises even more great questions for The Pitt season 2.
4
Santos
A Divisive Yet Morally Strong Character
The most controversial pick on this list would have to be Santos, yet I stand by it completely. Santos is another medical student who immediately makes a name for herself by being an overly ambitious bully. Santos disregards the rules for her own gain and continually belittles those around her. Honestly, this makes her super unlikable. Yet, by the end of The Pitt it is hard to ignore the fact that Santos is not only a good doctor, but has a strong moral compass.
Santos’ biggest win in The Pitt is the fact that she discovered Langdon’s drug problem. Many were likely frustrated that Santos had been right the whole time, since she is far less likable than Langdon. But, from this moment on, we get to see that Santos’ aggression only comes from a place of justice. She has clearly been wronged before, and rather than letting herself get bulldozed, she’s willing to speak up. I have no doubt that The Pitt season 2 will show a softer side to Santos to accompany her steely determination.
3
Mel
The Kindest Doctor Around
The last newcomer on the list is the very best: Mel. A second-year resident on the autism spectrum, Mel brings a surprising amount of optimism to The Pitt, which could make viewers initially believe that she wouldn’t make it in the ER. However, Mel quickly proves this assumption wrong. She is not only a skilled medical professional, but her neurodivergence allows her to come at certain issues with a tact and understanding that other doctors would lack. Her joy is not a weakness, but an undeniable strength.
Taylor Dearden, who portrays Mel King on The Pitt, is Bryan Cranston’s daughter.
Just about every moment with Mel on The Pitt is a good one. Because of her positive attitude, she is always enjoyable to watch. Some of her best scenes include those where she is in determined doctor mode. For example, during Pittfest, Mel donates her own blood to help one of her patients. She also becomes deeply invested in the case of an older woman whose daughter seemingly left her. There truly isn’t a bad moment for Mel throughout the entirety of The Pitt.
2
Dana
The Most Likable Character
The nurses of The Pitt are all a joy to watch, but the best of the best is Dana. In the role of charge nurse, Dana has complete command over the ER. She grounds the show with her confidence, and also brings plenty of levity through witty banter and sarcasm. In many ways, Dana is the character who guides audiences through the show. Her reactions to things show what is normal and what is completely shocking. This makes her as vital as any doctor.
Related
The Pitt creator R. Scott Gemmill explains Dana’s exit in the season 1 finale, and what it means for her possible appearance in season 2.
Something incredible that The Pitt does is give audiences such a likable character, only to potentially take her away. Dana’s big plotline is that she may quit her job after being assaulted by a patient. Considering that we’ve only known these characters for a day, one of them leaving may feel arbitrary. However, Dana comes across as so likable right away that this feels like a real problem. Dana is a genuinely great person, so seeing her leave would be devastating.
1
Robby
The Emotional Center
It should come as no surprise that The Pitt’s very best character is Dr. Robby. Although this is truly an ensemble show, Robby is the emotional center of the series. He shows up to this shift attempting to be normal in the face of his grief, only to have the most chaotic and taxing shift ever. Robby has to be one of the strongest characters in the series because of how he openly shows his emotions. His times of panic and despair are a perfect representation of how hard and sad medicine can be. He is a character that is easy to look up to.
Aside from his personal problems, Robby is also great because he is a fantastic doctor and teacher. It’s no secret that Robby is the best of the best, but he never tries to flaunt this or convey himself as better than anyone else. If anything, Robby sees himself as just another soldier, and he is eager to teach his students to be good doctors as well. Ultimately, Robby is a complex character who is easy to root for amidst the intensity of The Pitt.
8/10
- Release Date
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January 9, 2025
- Network
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Max
- Showrunner
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R. Scott Gemmill
- Directors
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Amanda Marsalis
- Writers
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Joe Sachs, Cynthia Adarkwa
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Noah Wyle
Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch
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Tracy Ifeachor
Uncredited
