The Pitt’s Shawn Hatosy Loved Abbot at First Sight (of the Blood Bag)

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Warning: Spoilers for the first season of “The Pitt” up to and including its finale episode, which premiered on Max on April 10th.

For quite some time now, I’ve been portraying characters that are sensitive yet troubled, morally complex, and badass – from the conflicted football player in the ’90s cult hit The Faculty, the dangerous eldest son in TNT’s Animal Kingdom, to the tough-as-nails street cop dealing with his partner’s innocence in Southland. In the medical drama The Pitt, I get a fresh opportunity to channel all that built-up intensity. As ER attending physician Dr. Jack Abbot, I remain as focused and cunning as ever. But it’s a breath of fresh air, I admit, to step into the shoes of a character who isn’t as harsh and on edge as the ones I typically play.

Hatosy chuckles, saying, ‘I may not be as articulate or intellectually gifted as Jack Abbot, but the traits and character I see in him are remarkably similar to mine. It’s reassuring and liberating to find such a match. He’s unpretentious; there’s no mask he wears. All he has is his rugged appearance, a travel bag, and a quiet certainty that stems from knowing his path. He embodies a raw authenticity.’

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve been captivated by the journey of the character Abbot in the gripping series “The Pitt.” You see, I found his entry into the show through my past collaboration with John Wells, who was the executive producer for “The Pitt” and also happened to be my partner on “ER,” “Southland,” “Animal Kingdom,” and “Rescue HI-Surf.”

In the premiere episode, “7:00 A.M.,” Abbot is first depicted, standing at the edge of PTMC’s roof, contemplating a leap, unsure if today would be his day. However, by the finale, “9:00 P.M.,” this combat veteran has transformed into a charismatic, unconventional thinker, leading the ER staff through challenging situations to treat numerous gunshot victims. He even manages to soothe the growing agitation of Dr. Robby, skillfully portrayed by Noah Wyle.

By the time they’re back on that roof, it’s Abbot who offers solace and reassurance to Robby, reminding him that their shared efforts, each shift, are meaningful. Their friendship serves as a beacon of stability amidst “The Pitt’s” chaos, earning Abbot a place in the hearts of viewers like me.

In various roles I’ve taken on, none have been universally adored. If you look at the feedback, it’s clear that people can always find something to criticize. However, Hatrosy notes, ‘Abbot may not be perfect, but his imperfections seem real and understandable to many viewers. Perhaps it’s these flaws that earn him respect, trust, and a desire to have him present when things go wrong.’

Have you delved into the military background of Abbot, as portrayed in the episode where he donates blood during “6:00 P.M.”? The author, Joe Sachs, reportedly based it on a true combat incident he encountered. To fully empathize with every character I play, even the antagonists, I need to find something endearing about them. For Abbot, it was instantaneous when I read about the blood bag. I found myself drawn to him and understanding his motivations. He knows his role, which made it easier for me to become invested. Scott Gemmill, one of the show creators, shared some of Abbot’s history with me before I joined the cast. I haven’t had a chance to consult with medics yet, but I’ve been watching documentaries, such as Code Black, for research. Initially, I was apprehensive because my perception of an ER doctor or attending physician is influenced by television portrayals. However, after watching Code Black, I realized these characters are working-class, hands-on individuals who I can relate to. Abbot’s introduction on the rooftop suggests he has personal issues he’s dealing with, creating a compelling dynamic and balance with Dr. Robby. When things go awry for Robby, Abbot serves as both a leader and a source of support for him.

How was it filming the roof scene where you comfort and reassure Robby? This is quite a turnaround from how the season began, isn’t it?
[Laughs.] We usually shoot the show in sequence, except for exterior shots which were filmed in Pittsburgh. I worked on the first day of shooting, which was in July 2024. Later, we traveled to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh in September to film all the exterior scenes for the entire season. That means my first roof scene was shot there, and one of the last scenes, between Noah and me, were also filmed there. At that time, I had only read the first episode, but this scene deals with events from the final episode, which I didn’t have much context for. It felt like trying to do mental math. They gave us as much information as they could about the mass-casualty event, but we were essentially flying blind, similar to experiences we’ve had while working on television before.

In this instance, John was the one who orchestrated the scene’s direction, and I found it incredibly impactful personally. Given that Noah and I hail from the creative realm of John Wells – a mentor for many years – it was particularly meaningful to collaborate with both of them on the rooftop. Noah’s acting during this time was incredibly raw and moving. Unlike our usual work with John, we devoted significantly more time to filming it in various ways, aiming for multiple perspectives.

In just two days, you’ll perform both the opening scene and the closing scene. I’m curious if you considered ways to differentiate Abbot in such a short timeframe?

In the initial scene, there’s a question about Abbot’s continued return to this job that lingers unanswered for him. However, it becomes clear by episode 15, following the events of episode 12 – the mass-casualty incident, that he finds solace in knowing his purpose. For Abbot, understanding his role provides a sense of clarity and reassurance.

[Laughs] I must admit, Scott, who penned the episode, does an exceptional job at navigating between intense, heavy moments and adding a quick wit or humorous touch to them, which is exactly what that roof scene did for me. It’s as if he anticipates when things might get too grim or profound, and then surprises us with a clever line or a well-timed character moment that lifts the mood. I always find myself thinking, “This could be too intense or thought-provoking,” but he always manages to bring some levity into the storyline. Brilliantly done!

In this instance, I was reminded of an episode with a hilarious visual gag – a patient having a fork stuck through his nose. It seems the team behind the scenes were equally amused by this event and decided to incorporate it into the final product. They kept it on their planning board until the last moment, fearing they might run out of time if it wasn’t included. I can’t help but appreciate the humor in that decision!

In the climactic moments of this episode, a significant aspect about Abbot is unveiled – he’s an amputee. When I found out, I had to consider how this would impact my portrayal of him. The injury isn’t what defines him; instead, it’s his power, his presence, and the silent authority he brings to every scene that truly shapes who he is. They informed me about this aspect ahead of time, and I pondered over whether there should be a limp in my performance. After careful thought, we decided against it, as it might not accurately reflect him. However, when Abbot needs to move swiftly, I keep that in mind, but today’s prosthetics are so advanced that people can move effortlessly with them.

I’m intrigued by the level of detail people are focusing on! It’s fascinating how subtleties in character development can be so captivating without extensive backstory. In this instance, “I was just listening to a police scanner,” and Abbot arriving with a go bag, may seem minor, but they offer a wealth of insight into his character. These small details in the script create a bridge for exposition that’s both intriguing and engaging. Are you also amazed by this level of obsessive analysis?

Absolutely! Working with this team has been an incredible creative journey. I was sad when it ended. The bond we formed, it’s like a theatrical troupe or summer camp. We’ve achieved something I’m extremely proud of. Would I be thrilled about that idea? Definitely! Let’s make it happen! As for what’s coming up in season two, I have no clue. But, why not, let’s bring forth The Pitt: Night Shift!

It seems like in the final scene, Abbot mentions a DoorDash delivery person heading to the rooftop. Now, I wonder what Abbot’s go-to order is when he adds an extra $10? Given that he refers to the delivery as “beer,” I reckon it’s safe to assume he’s enjoying pizza and beer up there.

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2025-04-11 05:56