Patrick Ball has had a fascinating career, but his role as Dr. Langdon in The Pitt has truly captured the attention of audiences. In an exclusive interview with Pop Culture Unplugged, Ball shared his experience working on the series, the challenges of playing such a complex character, and the intense journey that Langdon undergoes throughout the season.
From Law & Order to The Pitt
Before The Pitt, Ball’s career was steadily building, including an appearance in Law & Order. But when the opportunity for The Pitt came along, he knew he had to go for it.
“What drew me to it? Employment,” he joked. “No, but honestly, it’s a freaking miracle, man. I would have taken literally any job—I would have been on some vampire show had they asked me. But I got lucky because this show means so much to me.”
Ball explained that The Pitt has a special significance because of his personal connection to emergency medicine.
“Both my parents are emergency workers,” he revealed. “My mom's a lifelong air nurse. My dad's a paramedic. And here I am, after 12 years of pounding the pavement, getting put in a position to tell this story. It’s just awesome.”
The Pressure of Playing Dr. Langdon
Stepping into the shoes of an ER doctor is no easy task, especially when the character has such a dramatic arc.
“There was definitely a lot of pressure,” Ball admitted. “The first time you step onto the Warner Bros. lot and you see the plaques—Rebel Without a Cause was shot here, A Streetcar Named Desire was shot there—it makes your head spin.”
But the show’s production team made sure the actors were prepared.
“We had a lot of doctors on set, medical directors, and med techs to guide us,” he said. “After two or three weeks, it just felt like showing up to work.”
Langdon’s Downward Spiral
Dr. Langdon starts the series as a respected figure in the ER, but as the episodes progress, his struggles with substance abuse come to the forefront.
“I knew fairly early that the big blow-up in Episode 10 was going to happen—that I was getting fired for drugs,” Ball said. “But I didn’t know anything before that. We got the scripts one at a time, so I didn’t know exactly what the road to that fall was going to be.”
That uncertainty helped keep his performance authentic.
“You can’t get too tricky,” he explained. “You just have to do what you’re doing in the moment and let it play out naturally.”
Balancing Langdon’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Despite Langdon’s personal struggles, he is still a talented and respected doctor. Ball saw his character as a reflection of real-life professionals who wrestle with addiction.
“I think it’s not that uncommon,” he said. “A lot of the addicts I know are high-functioning, workaholic, very driven people. Those things kind of go hand in hand—they’re two sides of the same coin.”
One of the season’s most intense moments was when Dr. Robbie (Noah Wyle) confronted Langdon about his drug use.
“That was the scene I knew was coming the whole time,” Ball said. “We had a fight choreographer on set because we thought it was going to get really violent. But when we actually did it, it felt more like a breakup scene—it was more sad than anything. And Noah was just incredible to work with.”
The Aftermath of Langdon’s Firing
In Episode 11, we see the fallout of Langdon’s exit, and the ER team is left struggling.
“I didn’t even get to read Episode 11, so I didn’t know what happened,” Ball admitted. “But when I finally saw it, I was like, ‘Oh, this team is screwed.’”
He explained that The Pitt was already showing how understaffed the ER was before Langdon’s departure, and now things are even worse.
“If you take one person off the team, it really causes a lot of problems,” he said. “And now with Collins leaving and Dana talking about leaving, they’re barely keeping their heads above water.”
Fan Reactions and the Future of Langdon
Since The Pitt premiered, Ball has seen a strong reaction from fans who are invested in his character’s journey.
“The fan reaction has been amazing,” he said. “It’s really cool to see how many people want to see me back.”
One of the most interesting aspects of the show has been the debate between Langdon’s supporters and those who side with Dr. Santos, the resident who first raised concerns about his addiction.
“There’s been some really intelligent conversation around that,” Ball said. “This world doesn’t consist of good guys and bad guys. Langdon’s really good at his job. Langdon’s also an addict. Santos is kind of a pain in the ass, but she was also right. Both things can be true.”
As for whether Langdon could return in the future?
“I sure hope so,” Ball said. “I want to keep my job!”
Villain, Tragic Figure, or Something Else?
When asked how he views Langdon’s arc, Ball resisted labeling his character as purely good or bad.
“I don’t think this world is composed of villains and heroes,” he said. “It’s composed of people doing their best. And that’s who Langdon is—he’s someone doing his best.”
He explained that Langdon carries a lot of responsibility and is constantly trying to support others, but he struggles to take care of himself.
“I know people like that in my own life,” he said. “So I’m stoked to be telling their story.”
Favorite Moments and Looking Back on Season 1
When asked if he had a favorite moment filming the show, Ball admitted it was hard to choose.
“After the episodes started coming out, I sat down with my friends to watch the early ones, and I was like, ‘Man, I miss those days,’” he said. “Langdon goes through such a fall from grace, so watching the early episodes where I was just playing and having fun—it’s those moments I miss the most.”
He also reflected on how much he loved being on set, even though the long hours were exhausting.
“It was one of the most fulfilling, soul-enriching experiences of my life,” he said. “I can’t wait to be back. But I’m also enjoying getting some sleep right now!”
The Unique Format of The Pitt
One of the most innovative aspects of The Pitt is its structure—15 episodes, each covering one hour of a single shift.
“It’s amazing,” Ball said. “It’s like doing a play. Any choice I make in Episode 3, I have to carry through for the next 12 episodes. It’s all one day, so continuity is crucial. You have to be really precise in tracking your character’s journey.”
What’s Next for Patrick Ball?
With The Pitt wrapped for now, Ball is taking some well-earned rest—but he’s eager to return if given the chance.
“Man, I hope Langdon gets a second chance,” he said. “I’d love to explore what redemption might look like for him.”
As for other projects, he’s open to new opportunities but remains deeply attached to The Pitt.
“This show means a lot to me,” he said. “I hope I get to keep telling this story.”
Where to Follow Patrick Ball
Want to keep up with Patrick Ball? Follow him on social media for updates on The Pitt and future projects:
📷 Instagram: @patrickball
🐦 Twitter: @thepatrickball
With The Pitt continuing to captivate audiences, fans are hopeful that Langdon’s story isn’t over yet. And if Patrick Ball has his way, he’ll be scrubbing back in for another round in the ER soon.