The Pitt’s Katherine LaNasa Unpacks Dana’s Most ‘Degrading’ Moment

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At every workplace, there’s an individual who seamlessly maintains the smooth flow of operations, often without a murmur of complaint. In Max’s “The Pitt,” this person is Dana Evans, the charge nurse, portrayed by Katherine LaNasa (known for her roles in “Truth Be Told” and “Devious Maids”). During each shift, she functions as the emergency room’s command center, serving as a versatile backup, counselor to staff, and a calming presence. She monitors patient-provider assignments, intervenes in conflicts, and provides words of encouragement to doctors, nurses, and interns who are feeling overwhelmed. She does this with an almost unlimited ability to handle stress. However, all that changes at the conclusion of the ninth hour of her shift when a disgruntled patient, Doug Driscoll, notices her taking a brief break for a cigarette and attacks her, punching her in the face. A startled Dana decides to complete her shift, showing resilience, a trait she has always demonstrated: she pushes through.

In the upcoming episode titled “4 P.M.”, Lanasa deeply resonates with the character’s resilience due to her personal connection and extensive research. She modeled this character on a remarkable woman from her life – her aunt – and a real Los Angeles charge nurse she observed during role preparation. Additionally, insights into Dana’s past were provided by The Pitt’s creator R. Scott Gemmill and executive producer John Wells, as well as medical professionals who trained the actors. Lanasa also drew upon her own experiences with hospice care. “I’ve been closely involved in the deaths of a few people recently,” she explains. “Through my interactions with hospice nurses, I understood their unique comfort they provided – it was in part due to their emotional detachment, yet they were incredibly compassionate and knew what to expect.

How did your encounters with healthcare professionals influence your portrayal of Dana?

I observed a nurse named Kathy Garvin, who my character bears some resemblance to, during her shifts at L.A. General. Additionally, John Wells spent two weeks in medical school and numerous experts in the field were brought in to brief us. Given his significant impact on raising awareness about emergency medicine through ER, he is highly respected by medical professionals.

I found it incredibly moving to see their strong emotional responses. Many of them broke down in tears as I asked them to share their experiences. One of our actors, Tim Van Pelt – who incidentally is also a charge nurse – is always with us on set. We have real charge nurses, ER doctors, and even some ER nurses acting in our scenes. When I posed the question about his best and worst days, Tim started crying. Even one of the largest figures in emergency medicine education couldn’t hold back tears as he spoke about the COVID stories and their profound psychological impact on people.

As a dedicated movie buff, when I had the opportunity to tag along with Kathy behind the scenes, I was struck by her genuine understanding and concern for their regular patrons. Just like our beloved Myrna and Earl on screen, she has her own set of recurring characters. She shared a tale about one such individual, detailing his unique path. I was granted a glimpse into her bond with him. However, the conversations were straightforward due to the constant stream of emotional, mental, and physical hardships they face daily. To maintain their composure while serving everyone, they need this remarkable emotional efficiency.

Later on, considering the Doug Driscoll storyline, I posed a question: “In cases where people are disrespectful and insist on being seen first due to better insurance or similar reasons, do you ever subtly push them back in line?” She responded, “No, but I wouldn’t offer them so much as a crumb.

Is there something about Dana’s caring demeanor or her likeness to Kathy, in terms of both appearance and mannerisms, that you noticed during your shadowing experience? For instance, Dana’s ability to handle situations with a sense of calm and composure, as well as her long-standing connection with the regulars, mirrors Kathy’s approach. Moreover, the sentiment expressed by Dana about enjoying helping people who might otherwise slip through the cracks seems reminiscent of something Kathy Garvin herself might have said.

In episode nine, when Dana intervened to stop the argument between the two women about masks in the waiting room, was it challenging to control and film that scene? Not really, as a matter of fact. The actors were superb, particularly the red-haired duo who played their parts so convincingly that I had to work hard to get them to quiet down. Noah scripted Dana’s voice being likened to a gunshot when she said “That’s enough!”, and the actors delivered with such intensity that we ended up pushing the boundaries, going beyond just 10 and aiming for an 11 on the energy scale.

As a movie reviewer stepping into the innovative world of filmmaking, I’ve found myself immersed in an unparalleled experience – a perpetual emergency room, if you will. Unlike traditional sets, this one remains stationary, with some glass panels that can adjust for optimal reflections, but without any modular or dismantling components. The ambiance is not illuminated by hanging lights, instead, the space itself emanates a constant flow of energy. What’s truly remarkable is that we, the crew, don’t disappear once the set is prepared; we gather and strategize collectively before each shot. This collaborative approach adds a unique dynamism to the filmmaking process, making it an exhilarating journey for all involved.

In your profession as an actor, you often take on roles that are filled with drama and tension. I can’t help but ponder, how deeply does this job affect your mental and physical well-being? With each day, you find yourself facing someone who has suffered a gunshot wound. This makes me wonder, will Robby eventually break under the pressure? To portray this authentically, you consistently tap into a deep reservoir of compassion within yourself. It serves as a reminder that people’s true circumstances are often hidden, and even a small act of kindness at the right moment can make a profound difference.

On a different note, following the path that Dana travels in episodes nine, ten, and eleven, I must admit, I was eager for it to conclude. But let me tell you, what an incredible privilege it has been to receive these powerful scripts and step into the limelight with this profound emotional journey. However, as I portray a woman whose entire life has revolved around this hospital, the emotion is almost too much. They informed me that Dana’s mother passed away when she was 16, and they also shared that she volunteered there during high school. So, it seems to me that she found a sense of purpose and comfort within the hospital walls from a very young age. [Laughs.]

I think she’s like Dana from the block, right? Charge nurses get paid well. She’s probably elevated her family. There’s a huge sense of purpose and pride for Dana. So for this guy to beat me up in my workplace, really, just takes so much away from me. It’s very degrading. At that stage, you ask yourself, how do you go home? John and Scott told me that Dana has three daughters. I have pictures of my own daughter on the set, as my character’s granddaughter. So how do you go home to your daughters and granddaughter and be like, “Mom goes to a place where they beat her up every day”?

Have you ever encountered instances similar to what Kathy described among any other medical professionals you interacted with? It’s quite common for such situations to arise, especially at hospitals where safety measures like having security for potentially violent patients are enforced due to strict regulations regarding restraints. These women are known for their resilience and bravery in handling such challenging circumstances.

What proportion of the information about the character did John and Scott provide, and how much of her traits did you develop independently? I drew some inspiration for her from my youngest aunt, who was quite cool to us kids in our large Catholic family in New Orleans. She was somewhat tomboyish and had a casual way of addressing my grandmother. My aunt was around seven or eight years older than me, and she used to joke about not wanting to drive my grandmother’s long yellow car with a brown hardtop, calling it a “bruised banana.

In the southern regions, where agriculture was prevalent, it was possible to obtain a pilot’s license at a young age, such as 14 or so. She earned her pilot’s license during her teenage years. She was an incredibly bold and serious woman, leaving a profound impression on me. I thought she was absolutely remarkable.

The part that truly resonated with me in this episode was the poignant demonstration of how deeply everyone at the ER respects and admires Dana. It’s heartwarming to see such camaraderie and dedication. In a sense, I believe Noah, the writer, wanted to highlight the multifaceted roles these nurses play. During just one shift, they might handle a trauma case, assist with someone’s pet, support a junior doctor, and even intervene in a dispute. The scope of their responsibilities is truly remarkable.

On a particular occasion, I found myself in an emergency room undergoing tests for something extremely unsettling. Fortunately, everything turned out alright. Yet, it was the manner in which that ER nurse spoke to me that stood out. She reassured me with words like, “This is common, that’s expected, it won’t last forever.” Her soothing demeanor helped to calm my fears. These are the individuals I aim to honor and highlight more, as it matters deeply to me to uphold their dignity.

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2025-03-07 06:58