British actor Gerran Howell has quickly become a fan favorite on Max’s breakout medical drama The Pitt, where he plays Dr. Dennis Whitaker — a Nebraska farm boy thrown into the chaos of a trauma center on the worst possible first day of work.
I caught up with Howell for Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his journey into the series, Whitaker’s memorable mishaps, that infamous drill scene, and what he hopes to explore in Season 2.
From Nebraska Farm Boy to Fan Favorite
When Howell first auditioned for The Pitt, he didn’t know what to expect.
“It was your standard self-tape audition,” he said. “The only description I had for Whitaker was ‘earnest farm boy.’ And that pretty much sums him up.”
While Howell is from across the pond, slipping into an American accent wasn’t difficult. “A lot of us UK actors grew up watching American TV. It's in us,” he joked.
Once he booked the role, Howell quickly realized he’d be portraying one of the show’s most overwhelmed and relatable characters.
Whitaker’s “Day From Hell”
Whitaker’s first shift is nothing short of a disaster — he gets peed on, vomited on, and makes some rookie mistakes along the way.
“It was like a bingo card of bodily fluids,” Howell laughed. “But as an actor, you love that. It gives you so much to do.”
Despite the chaos, Whitaker shows grit, perseverance, and a willingness to learn — traits that have endeared him to fans.
“I think audiences need someone to latch onto who doesn’t have it all figured out,” Howell said. “He’s relatable because he’s thrown into the deep end, but he keeps going.”
Developing Whitaker & Santos’ Banter
One of the highlights of The Pitt is the dynamic between Whitaker and fellow med student Santos, played by Aleyse Shannon.
“It’s almost like a sibling relationship,” Howell shared. “She’s tough on him, always cracking jokes at his expense, but he grew up with five brothers — he can handle it.”
Howell said the chemistry between the two came naturally. “Aleyse is fantastic. She’s a lot more personable than Santos is, but our scenes felt like real sibling banter.”
Episode 13’s Drill Scene & The Mass Casualty Episode
One of Howell’s standout moments came in Episode 13, when Whitaker uses a drill on a conscious patient during a mass casualty event.
“That scene was wild,” Howell said. “By that point, Whitaker’s had such a rough day, it’s almost like — what’s one more thing? The stakes are so high, it just becomes reactionary.”
Filming the mass shooting aftermath was emotionally draining. “It was genuinely harrowing,” Howell admitted. “The set was covered in blood. Seeing all the background actors playing victims — it really hit home.”
Looking Ahead to Season 2
With The Pitt officially renewed for Season 2, Howell is excited to see how Whitaker evolves.
“He can’t stay inexperienced forever,” Howell said. “I’d love to see how he processes everything — whether he closes himself off emotionally or embraces the chaos.”
As for characters he hopes to work with more next season?
“Definitely Dr. McKay,” Howell shared. “I think Whitaker working alongside her in the street team would be really interesting. And maybe Langdon — though I don’t know how much patience Langdon would have for me!”
Would He Change Anything About Whitaker?
“Not at all,” Howell said. “I’m in such capable hands with the writers. I’m excited to see where they take him.”
A Message to Fans
The response to The Pitt has been overwhelming, especially for Howell, who’s been mostly watching from afar in the UK.
“I just want to say thank you,” he said. “It’s been incredible to see people relate to Whitaker. I hope they continue to see themselves in these characters. And I’m excited to be back for Season 2 — let’s see what’s next for Huckleberry.”
Catch all episodes of The Pitt now streaming on Max — and stay tuned for Season 2 coming in 2026.