Hey, I'm Queer. See Me. - Minority Mindset

Before landing her role as Dr. Samira Mohan on the popular Max medical series, actress Supriya Ganesh had almost decided to leave acting behind.

Ganesh had nearly become a real-life doctor before he took on the role of a doctor on “The Pitt.” In fact, he was strongly contemplating attending medical school.

She shares with me over Zoom that she’s long aspired to be an actor, a dream she held close. This is her from San Diego, where she’s currently starring in the world premiere of ‘House of India’ at the Old Globe Theatre. Her parents, bless them, were pragmatic, urging her to have a solid fallback. So, she enrolled in college with a pre-med focus and majored in neuroscience. Yet, while studying, she began auditioning for roles and found success faster than anticipated. This led her to take a break from medicine and pursue acting more seriously.

However, everything slowed down significantly due to writers’ and actors’ strikes coupled with an abundance of disappointing casting calls. Ganesh mused, “I found myself questioning, ‘Is this the right application of my abilities?’ He remembers thinking. “There was a lot of material during those auditions that made me think, ‘Really? I may not be a writer, but I believe I could create something superior to this.’

Prior to starring in “The Pitt,” a series set within a Pittsburgh emergency room over the course of 15 hours, during which Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (portrayed by Noah Wylie) is in charge, Ganesh has made appearances on shows such as “Blue Bloods,” “New Amsterdam,” “Chicago Med,” “Billions,” and “Grown-ish.

Ganesh expresses that he never anticipated his opportunity in ‘The Pitt’ would be as artistically and creatively rewarding as it has been for him. When things fell into place, it seemed like all the events of his life had been leading up to this very instant, he admits. During the audition week when he was being called back, it felt as if something was guiding him, or so he believes; a coincidence occurred, such as a bird defecating on him – an occurrence that, according to Indian beliefs, is considered good luck.

I can’t not start this conversation by telling you that nine weeks ago I had open heart surgery.

Oh my gosh. I’m glad you’re doing OK.

I’m doing great. When I was in the hospital, I kept asking everyone, every nurse, every doctor, “Have you watched ‘The Pitt?’” Everyone said it was the most realistic medical show they’ve ever seen.

It didn’t surprise me a bit, as I had the very same idea when I received the script during my auditions. Given my past experiences in medicine, it seemed quite fitting to me.

You sure do have some background.

In the production, no one surpassed the skill of the doctors present. Yet when I witnessed the scene, a thought crossed my mind: “Wow, I can believe this is happening on screen due to the logical sequence of events in this intubation.” It seemed plausible that someone with a medical background was part of it. Admittedly, it might appear boastful to say so, but I’m not surprised by its success given that I knew then and there that nothing quite like it had been shown on TV before.

During your audition, do you say, “Hey, by the way, I’m very method” or, “I know a lot of things”?

It’s amusing because prior to “The Pitt,” whenever I would audition for doctor roles, I would put on quite a show with singing and dancing. At times, I even included a segment where I delved into complex medical topics or presented my own solution to the script’s medical dilemma, saying something like, “This is the most logical explanation.” However, no one seemed interested. By the time I reached “The Pitt,” I had decided to simply mention that I excelled on the MCAT and casually add it to the end of my audition tape, hoping they would pick up on it if they noticed.

What do you like most about Samira?

I admire her dedication as a strong patient advocate. She seems to have emerged in response to the many challenges currently faced in the healthcare system, and I believe she’s actively working to challenge these issues in her unique manner. Her determination to provide exceptional care despite the potential backlash is an inspiring display of optimism. It’s remarkable that even when she knows the system may not change, she still gives every ounce of effort to each patient. This selflessness, in spite of potential criticism, makes her actions truly commendable. I find this about her absolutely captivating.

Have you seen scripts for Season 2?

As far as I’m aware, I’ve not come across any specific details. Just like you, my knowledge is based on rumors or hearsay. The one piece of information we both share is that the story takes place over a July 4th weekend and it marks Patrick Ball’s, or Langdon’s, first day back. Beyond that, I can only speculate about where the plot might lead us.

What are your big desires and dreams for Season 2?

Perhaps we could delve deeper into Samira’s private realm, as it seems intriguing to examine how her personal life has evolved since Season 1. Specifically, there’s a curiosity about whether she engages in more social activities now, or if there are developments regarding her mother. Will she reconnect with her mother after this period, or will they remain apart? I believe it would be enriching to understand more about what her life outside the hospital entails, to the extent possible, making for a captivating exploration.

You’ve posted that your pronouns are she/they. Could you tell me more about that?

My identity as both my queerness and race has significantly shaped my experiences, especially after moving back to India from the U.S. at a young age. The rigid gender roles in America took me aback, since I was accustomed to the existence of a third gender in India, which allows for more fluidity in expressions of masculinity and femininity. This contrast made me feel an instinctive urge to rebel against it, even though I often present as feminine. However, there are instances where I step outside these roles, and I don’t always feel like I perfectly fit the white-centric perception of femininity.

About a year and a half ago, I was inspired by Lily Gladstone’s decision to use she/they pronouns, in recognition of third-spirit and two-spirit people. This moment resonated with me deeply as it made me feel seen and understood. Though I identify more with femininity, this doesn’t mean I always conform to a Western ideal of it. I made the decision to use they/them pronouns as a way to assert my queerness and make myself visible. It also serves as a signal to queer brown women that they can find solace and connection in me.

To see people like you, young and living your authentic selves, there’s going to be a young brown person who’s going to look at you like you looked at Lily Gladstone and say, “She did it. I could do it, or I’m going to be OK.”

In my perspective, when I embarked on this career, I chose to be as genuine and real as I could. It’s like choosing a pen pal and writing truthfully to them. My goal is to create art that resonates with other South Asian individuals. If I’m not being true to myself, then what’s the point?

I believe we, the Gen Z generation, are witnessing an increase in expressions of queerness and fluidity, despite the numerous restrictions. It’s frustrating and angering, yet I appreciate that people can express themselves more freely because there is a growing social acceptance, even if it’s not yet legal. This is progress, and I hope it encourages more individuals to accept themselves, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum.

Now you’re starring on stage in “House of India.”

I’m still amazed at my good fortune to perform in this play and create the role. Last night, I found myself getting quite emotional as I contemplated the fact that the play is going to be published, with my name among the pages. What makes it even more special is that the entire cast is AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander), featuring three South Asian individuals and one Thai individual. It’s truly beautiful to discuss aspects of South Asian and South Indian culture within this inclusive environment. As a Tamilian, I was thrilled when I discovered that there was Tamil dialogue in the play. The fact that it mentions specific foods, which my mother used to prepare for me, made an immediate connection. From the moment I first read the script, I knew I had to be involved.

This conversation was edited for length and clarity.

2025-05-28 20:48

Hey, I’m Queer. See Me.