Max has released the first trailer for The Pitt, its upcoming medical drama from ER alums John Wells, Noah Wyle and R. Scott Gemmill. It reveals that the series will debut on the streamer in January.
Set to music that resembles a ticking clock, it also confirms that the 15-episode season will follow the action at an ER unit in real-time over the course of a single shift with the tagline “15 episodes, 15 hours, 1 shift.” (You can watch the trailer above.)
Per the official logline, The Pitt is a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in today’s America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh.
As Deadline has reported, The Pitt was conceived under a different business framework — a modestly budgeted, broadcast-style drama for streaming. It also used an unusual fixed-fee payment scheme for the supporting cast around Wyle.
Additionally, The Pill has been the subject of a breach of contract lawsuit filed by the widow of ER creator Michael Crichton over alleged similarities to the iconic medical drama after The Pill creative auspices and studio Warner Bros. Television had initially discussed with the estate doing an ER reboot. WBTV has denied the allegations; litigation is ongoing.
The Pitt is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where JWP is under an overall deal. Gemmill wrote the first episode and executive produces the series alongside Wyle, Wells and JWP’s Erin Jontow, Simran Baidwan and Michael Hissrich.