R. Scott Gemmill has been tapped to helm the highly anticipated 15-episode series, "The Pitt," which shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of a modern Pittsburgh hospital. Rumors swirled last year about a potential reboot of the iconic "ER," but this series promises to be the next must-watch medical drama.
Max has greenlit the straight-to-series order for "The Pitt," a heartfelt portrayal of frontline medical professionals in Pittsburgh, starring Noah Wyle and produced by the renowned "ER" duo of John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill. Described by Max as a "realistic examination of the challenges facing health care workers in today's America," the series offers a glimpse into the lives of these valiant heroes working tirelessly in a modern hospital setting.
Gemmill, who served as executive producer on over half of "ER's" 330 episodes across its 15-season run, will take the reins as showrunner for "The Pitt." The series hails from John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. TV, with Wells and Wyle also credited as executive producers.
"We are deeply grateful to Warner Bros. Television and Max for affording us the opportunity to return to the fascinating world of urban medicine," Gemmill, Wyle, and Wells jointly stated to The Hollywood Reporter. "The challenges facing doctors, nurses, technicians, patients, and their families in the trenches of modern medicine have become even more pronounced in the decade and a half since we last delved into their stories. We are thrilled to revisit this realm with the support of our partners and are eager to push the boundaries of dramatic realism and medical accuracy in chronicling the lives of these heroic individuals."
In addition to serving as showrunner, Gemmill will pen the pilot episode of "The Pitt." The series is part of Wells' longstanding overall deal with Warner Bros. TV, where he has been a fixture since his early beginnings in 1986. Warner Bros., of course, was the studio behind the groundbreaking "ER," which found a new generation of fans when the entire series debuted on streaming for the first time in 2018 as part of an exclusive partnership with Disney-owned Hulu. It remains to be seen if Max will explore the possibility of acquiring the rights to the "ER" library as part of the buildup to "The Pitt."
"It's no secret that Scott, Noah, and John possess the Midas touch when it comes to creating great television," said Channing Dungey, CEO of Warner Bros. TV Group. "When they pitched us the idea of revitalizing the medical TV genre with a fresh, authentic perspective on today's hospitals, we knew it was a no-brainer. Their star-studded collaboration, coupled with their impeccable storytelling skills and unwavering dedication to each project, promises to make 'The Pitt' the next big medical drama. We are indebted to our partners at Max, and we eagerly await the moment when audiences can witness the magic of this show."
For Max, there is a profound rationale behind selecting a 15-episode season format. Many streaming platforms, inspired by the remarkable success of the former USA Network drama Suits on Netflix, have been eagerly seeking longer seasons of established genres in an attempt to replicate the broadcast magic.
"Collaborating with the brilliant minds of John Wells, R. Scott Gemmill, and Noah Wyle to bring this fresh series to life has been an incredibly exciting journey," exclaimed Sarah Aubrey, head of Max originals. "Their unwavering passion, creativity, and dedication to storytelling elevate every facet of this project, and together, we're poised to present a captivating and authentic portrayal of today's medical world that will captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact."
For Wells, whose Showtime adaptation of Shameless became a streaming sensation on Netflix, The Pitt joins a star-studded line-up of original series that also includes his upcoming Fox lifeguard drama Rescue: Hi-Surf.
At Max, The Pitt joins a roster of compelling scripted dramas that boasts an array of titles such as The Girls on the Bus, Peacemaker, The Penguin, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Tokyo Vice, and the upcoming Duster from J.J. Abrams.
ER, which ran for a remarkable 15 seasons on NBC, stands tall as the second-longest-running medical drama in primetime television history, trailing only the enduring Grey's Anatomy. The series garnered a total of 23 Primetime Emmy Awards, with Wyle starring in its first 11 seasons.
Wells is represented by CAA, while Wyle is represented by Verve, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Jackoway Austen.
