Season 2 of The Pitt has introduced viewers to one of its most talked-about new characters — Dr. James Ogilvie — played by breakout actor Lucas Iverson. In our exclusive conversation, Iverson opened up about his journey from regional theater to landing a career-changing television role, the surprising evolution of Ogilvie, and why the character may not be what he first appears.
“It’s like the definition of life-changing,” Iverson shared. “I had four lines on The Gilded Age. And then to jump up to this is crazy. It’s been heaven.”
From Theater to The Pitt
Before stepping into the chaotic emergency department of The Pitt, Iverson built his craft in theater. He caught the acting bug at just 16 years old after performing in Our Town, and never looked back.
“I wanted to be an actor when I was younger because I wasn’t good at anything else,” he joked. “I had terrible grades in high school. But once I got that first paycheck at 16, I just kept going.”
His audition process for Ogilvie is a story in itself. After taping once and feeling it wasn’t quite right, Iverson asked for an extension, re-shot the audition after working two jobs all day, edited it at 1 a.m., and sent it off before waking up early the next morning.
“There was just something that sat in me that was like, I think I know what this thing is — and what I did was not it.”
That instinct paid off.
Turning Up the Arrogance
When Iverson first read the description for Ogilvie, he imagined a smart but socially awkward doctor. What he didn’t expect was being told the character was far more abrasive than he realized.
“I showed up for my fitting and everybody was like, ‘So you’re really an asshole.’ And I was like, what?” he laughed.
After approaching executive producer John Wells for feedback, he received a clear directive.
“I went up to him and I was like, ‘Am I being too much?’ And he said, ‘Lucas, I need you to be way more.’ So I just kept turning it up and chasing that thing.”
That intensity shows in one of Season 2’s most unforgettable moments — the glass shard scene — where Ogilvie’s need to prove himself backfires in dramatic fashion.
“At that point in the season, he’s still viewing patients as an opportunity to show how much he knows,” Iverson explained. “The more you invest in the desire to shine, when it goes wrong, everything underneath comes pouring out.”
Is Ogilvie Really the Villain?
While viewers may see arrogance, Iverson sees something else entirely.
“I actually think he’s so soft and incredibly sensitive,” he said. “I think he’s perceived this way by everybody, but I have a very different opinion of him.”
According to Iverson, Ogilvie’s bravado may stem from something deeper — a fear-driven belief that you are fully responsible for your success or failure.
“It’s symptomatic of a belief that you are responsible for the state of your life. If he succeeds, that’s him. If he fails, that’s him. That’s a lot of pressure.”
As the season progresses, cracks begin to form.
“My affection for him came about later on,” Iverson admitted. “The more I understood him, the more I wished the audience could see him through that lens.”
Fan Reactions and What’s Ahead
Iverson says the response from fans has been fascinating.
“When people say hi to me on the street, they’re so sweet. But online, it’s… intense,” he laughed. “I’m trying to remember that it’s good. If they’re reacting, you’re doing your job.”
Without revealing spoilers, Iverson teased that more layers of Ogilvie will be revealed as the season unfolds.
“There’s a lot more. I think he’s driven by a need for affection and recognition. But as the day goes on, more and more of that gets stripped away.”
Looking ahead, Iverson isn’t pitching ideas for Season 3 — he trusts the writers completely. But if he had advice for Ogilvie?
“Go relax. Go for a walk. Date somebody. Fall in love,” he joked.
Outside of The Pitt, Iverson is returning to his theater roots, starring as Cassio opposite Wendell Pierce in Othello at the Shakespeare Theatre Company — and he’ll also appear in upcoming episodes of The Gilded Age.
For now, though, all eyes are on James Ogilvie — a character who may be far more complicated than viewers first believed.