Jalen Thomas Brooks on Playing Nurse Mateo in 'The Pitt' on MAX | Career, Behind-the-Scenes & More

[00:00:09] Jalen, thank you for joining me today on Pop Culture Unplugged. Thank you for having me man. Exciting times when we just had The Pitt premiered on MAX a couple days ago actually, Thursday night, this past Thursday. Yep, yep yep, it's been a wild two days. Yeah, we're gonna jump into the show in a few minutes but I was doing some research on you man, I like the way your career has been going.

[00:00:31] Yeah, like I said, you know, I watched you last year on Thanksgiving. That was great. I like that. I like that movie. I think everybody can't wait for the sequel now. They announced the sequel and everything. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's gonna be exciting. What inspired you to get into acting my friend? What was that moment in your life when you realized like this is what you want to go do? Um, I it's wild man. It's kind of I was I've always been into like movies and you know, art and and storytelling, but I was a basketball player.

[00:00:58] And so it was the last thing I thought I would get into but I uh, I was playing basketball. I was playing on trying to go, you know, overseas or go to like go to college first and go overseas but got worn out was tired about it. And I just decided to take a break from that like my sophomore year and then I was one day watching the Hunger Games on my uh, my bedroom floor just chilling.

[00:01:21] And I got super big inspired seeing young kids that were able to convey such a, you know, be a part of a universe, you know, and so I asked my mom if I could get it if I could, like, how would I become an actor and then we found a theater class. And then I tried theater and that was way too scary wasn't for me at that time. And then um, from that I my mom found me a Las Vegas acting for camera class.

[00:01:44] And then I went there fell in love with it got my agent through that class and started driving back and forth to do auditions in like 20. 17 2018. And then um, eventually things started to stick and then um, it's funny. When Thanksgiving came out, it was like a full circle moment because the same day Thanksgiving released the new Hunger Games release and I was like, Oh, that's what got me into this. Get into like trying to do this with Hunger Games and I came out the same day which is sick, you know.

[00:02:13] Amazing. Do you still love basketball because I got my little my son. I just got him into it. And you know, first grade, you know, so we're playing like every day we're playing basketball. Oh, I'm still in love with the game. I actually back home where my family is in Oregon right now. I hope coach a high school basketball team. So I'm still involved in everything. I still put my hands into it and stay close to the game as much as I can. But yeah, part of my life. Amazing.

[00:02:37] So what you know, you know, like throughout your career so far, you know, you've come you played across different characters, you know, different genres and like is there like how do you decide what role you want to take on and what's what do you think has been like your favorite role so far in your young career. Um, I mean, I don't I haven't necessarily decided like, what roles I want to like, I gravitate to certain roles, but I've never been like I want to do this one when do that once I'm so early. Yeah.

[00:03:03] But I've my favorite role that I've done so far, it's hard to decide because each role that I keep doing is just kind of like, you know, it's a different experience in the prior. But I'd say Walker, Colton Davidson, the CW, that character is always gonna hold a certain like a special heart place in my heart for me because it was just the start of a lot of things for me like it was the my first character that actually legitimately got to play.

[00:03:28] I was on there for two seasons met a lot of beautiful, amazing people I'm still in contact with. And, um, that's it that's probably my favorite so far is playing colon on Walker. A lot of fans were disappointed when that show got canceled because they had a it had a big fan base. It did. It was very surprising. I went to a horror convention and Walker fans showed up and that's why I was like, whoa, this is crazy. Um, but yeah, there's there's a big fan base for that show. Yeah.

[00:03:56] What do you think like working on these projects? What do you think it taught you, you know, as an actor? Mm hmm. Like all these different different roles, the one of the roles that I've played, they've kind of all coming up. Like, I've done it. I started acting when I was about so 17 1617. And so it's been kind of strange to I feel like I'm growing up as I'm playing my characters, if that makes sense.

[00:04:25] So in the pit is the first, like grown up guy that I'm playing. It's me also. I'm finally a grown up. And so it's this funny thing. Like, um, my roles have kind of I've been growing up with them. And so it's, it's been pretty strange to experience that. But yeah, that's what I've taken from all of it is just kind of maturing with them as well. Let's jump into the pit then. And how was this an audition? Did you know somebody like, tell us the process about the how you landed this role?

[00:04:53] So I did a I was in Oregon at the time because the because of the strikes. And I was, I was there and I was doing auditions with my mom and I got the pit audition. And, um, she helped me with it. I did self tape. Um, it was one of those self tapes where you, you do them and you send them in and like, you don't really expect to hear anything from it because, you know, you, you know, that you see the people that are involved and, you know, it's, you're kind of like, oh, like I could get that, but maybe a call back, whatever.

[00:05:21] And so I send it in about, I think a month goes by and then I get a call back and I, um, I happened to be in LA during that time. And so I do a, I do a zoom call with Noah and Scott and, um, the producers and John, John Wells. And, um, I did that. And then literally that the day after they pinned me and I was like, oh shoot. And then, um, I was like, it happened pretty fast.

[00:05:48] And then, uh, I think two days after that, then they offered me the job and it was very quick, which was very strange because how big of a show it was. They really just kind of like, um, hunkered down on, on it. Like they just kind of got, got wanted. And, um, if I could be mistaken, but from what I remember talking to my other cast members about,

[00:06:10] um, about the auditioning process is a lot of a quick turnaround. Like they just kind of, everybody just auditioned a couple of times tested. And it was like, boom, like come down here in two weeks, you know? So, yeah. No, no pressure being on a series of Noah Wiley, former ER and now another medical, uh, no pressure, right? Right. No pressure at all. It's, it's intimidating sometimes. Yeah.

[00:06:33] Yeah. Uh, how would you describe, you know, nurse Mateo from what I've seen so far in the first two, you know, the first two episodes, you know, he's like, he's confident, kind, you know, like, uh, he's also got a little bit of sense of humor. I've noticed. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I would describe him as he's very, he's very nonchalant in the best way, as in he has a good, like aura and energy to him that, and these chaotic situations, he keeps his, uh, he keeps himself level headed.

[00:06:59] And being able to kind of stick to the stick to what he knows. And also we have doctors and nurses on set and listen to them, tell stories and tell us how to kind of go about our scenes. I've learned how, how important it is that, you know, as a doctor, you kind of, even though it's this chaos that keeping this kind of level of, I know what I'm doing and I can get this taken care of.

[00:07:22] But, and so Mateo is kind of that for, you know, for a lot of the characters is that it's just this, the cool guy in the corner that has your back, that's going to like be there for you or whatever. So you can lean on him, all that stuff. Um, so yeah, it's, I would describe him as just, he keeps his cool. He's level headed sense of humor to lighten the mood. Um, which is always very funny because we've been told that doctors have a very dark sense of humor because they have to laugh at it. They laugh at the things that keep it lighthearted, you know? Right. Um, so, uh, yeah, that's how I describe it. Yeah.

[00:07:52] How do you approach playing a character like this? You know, he's got to be calm for certain seas and then there's chaos, you know, cause other than the professional, like, you know, under pressure. How do you like, how do you approach that? I kind of, when I get my scenes and I'm, I'm breaking them down or getting into rehearsal on the day, I kind of just do my acting for the other character in the scene, as in making sure that person is getting what they need from me.

[00:08:17] So it's not so much thinking about myself cause I don't think Mateo is thinking about himself ever, you know, it's not kind of just thinking about the other doctor in the situation, other nurse, the patient. Um, but he's trying to kind of be there to, uh, make sure everybody can, uh, uh, they have someone to lean on. So I prepare for that by looking and talking to the other actors to, and watching them and observing them to see what they need.

[00:08:40] And so, um, getting that across. And so that's been kind of fun to lead into is to, oh, I don't think Mateo is worrying about himself at all right now. No. So he's just thinking about, uh, his, his, he works with, uh, Dr. McKay in the beginning of the show a lot. And so he's always thinking about how can I help her? Cause we're buddy buddies. And he's always thinking about, uh, Dr. Javadi trying to help her out. Like all these things.

[00:09:03] So, you know, like the medical drama genre, you know, it's always been a hit with the audience, you know, but I noticed the pit takes it a little more deeper. How would you do like describe like the, the approach that the show takes with the, with the audience also? Um, the best way I would say is it's kind of, it feels like the bear, but like in an ER thing.

[00:09:25] Yeah. So it's, it takes you instead of kind of having the emotional or relationships between the doctors be the, the forefront of the show. It's about the patients. So we learn about our doctors through their interactions with the patients. And so, um, it's very intimate up close. Um, and you're catching these moments that you would only be able to catch if you're actually in an ER. Um, so the looks between the doctors and, uh, it's just, it's the intensity of the bear, but you know how the bear,

[00:09:55] it's just, it's anxiety ridden, but there's these moments that through that chaos, those moments are able to shine because you can only get there through that, that, that mess, you know? So, um, yeah, I'd say it's an intensity of the bear, but there's this heart to the pit. That's just, I think it really shines a light on the people and the creatives that are behind it. You know, Noah, Scott, John, Damian, Amanda, they really care about this message that they're trying to illuminate and stuff.

[00:10:23] So, um, it's a lot of heart, a lot of grit, um, which is very strange coming from medical drama because it hasn't happened in a while, you know? Right. Yeah. What's great is that last night I went on and read some reviews on the show and the characters and everything. And one of the things we're talking about Mateo is this killer smile. Have you heard about that yet? What's your thoughts on that? I mean, that means a lot. I'm touched. I'm just like, that's great. Uh, that's funny. I love that.

[00:10:52] How important do you think like the humor is in a high stress, you know, environment like, like this? Man, like, I think it's very important, which is very, we talked to, like I said, the, we talked to, we talked to doctors and nurses that, uh, that help us on set that, um, are kind of, um, what's the word? You know, we bounce everything off of them to make sure it's realistic. And the one thing they always say is that, you know, just the jokes we make is necessary.

[00:11:18] It's a thing that we do, doctors, nurses, people that work in the ER, you do to keep your sanity, you know what I mean? And so sometimes it can seem insensitive, you know, but it's, it's just the name of the game. It's how they keep themselves going, you know? Um, so it's, it's very necessary from what I've experienced trying to bring this to life. And also what I've been told by people that work there.

[00:11:42] Without, without giving up like, you know, too much away, what can the viewers expect for this season with Mateo's arc and any like challenges or standout moments for your character? I'd say it's every single character in the show, everybody goes through something and it gets very, very, very intense. Um, and it takes turns. It takes, uh, it takes you on an emotional ride that I don't think has been on television for a while.

[00:12:09] Um, and also I don't want to say too much, but it's just, it, it, it goes somewhere and it's, it's, it's building to something and it's, it's very impactful and very necessary, very, uh, taken care of. Um, but, uh, yeah, everybody has the, everybody on this cast has a moment. That's just, it's, it's great, but yeah. We mentioned Noah Wiley before, you know, he's a former, you know, he played on ER and everything. Any advice from him now for, you know, a newcomer like you joining a show like this?

[00:12:38] He's given a lot of advice to, which has been awesome. Um, also indirect advice, which is, she's very open to just talking to people. And so you can hear him drop nuggets as you, you know, um, he, the one thing I've always, he's always, he's told me about, um, about writing. We talked about writing and I picked his brain about writing cause he's written a couple episodes.

[00:13:00] Um, and he's very into poetry in a sense. And he always says, you know, writing and even acting in a sense is like a dance, you know, there's a rhythm, there's a rhythm to it, you know, it's like picking up on that, this, the emotional, uh, like rhythm of scenes, you know? And as I was watching him and picking apart what he's doing in his scenes, he has this like energy to him as if he's in a song, you know? And even when he's doing something emotional, there's this like rhythmic flow. Um, I think that's the best way to explain it.

[00:13:28] But the things that I've picked up from him is strictly from observing him because he's not a closed book. He's like, he's very open to, you know, you ask him a question, he's going to answer, you know, but wonderful guy, man. He's, he's great. He's the best. I was going to say, I spoke to him a couple of years ago when, uh, he seems like he's very mellow and like, like down to earth type of person.

[00:13:49] Absolutely, man. He's very approachable. Very, very, very kind guy. Um, he's, he's the best man. I've learned a lot from him. It's been a joy being around him period, but great guy. Medical dramas, you know, they can be intense to film too. Was there any like a certain scene that kind of hit you in a way throughout filming the series so far? Yeah, it was weird because I don't necessarily, I don't get like that. I don't, I'm not really tentatively to, you know, I don't get affected by, you know, doing acting scenes.

[00:14:16] And it's, there's been some scenes later in the show that have gotten to me of even everybody that was involved. We kind of had to step back for a second, like, oh, you know, it, you know, the whole show takes place in a day. And so sometimes we'll be filming a scene for a whole week because when we're not on camera, we're in the background and you'll see us doing the same thing. So sometimes in these nasty situations, hard scenes, we'll have to sit in there for like a week on end, you know?

[00:14:44] And there's a scene that I don't want to give away, but there was about six of us and it was just, it was a rough week. And I would come home and I'd call my mom like, this is, this is affecting me. Like, this is strange, man. Like, you know, but yeah, it does. Like it's too sometimes, but yeah. If you could describe a tale, like in three words, what would you say? What would they be, you think? Hmm. Hmm.

[00:15:08] I say nonchalant, caring, charismatic. That's what I say. Yeah. Is there anything you would change about him if the writers like say, hey, here's, you know, here's a piece of paper or pencil, change something about him or add something about him? Is there anything? I don't know.

[00:15:25] Oh, um, I wouldn't change a single thing because I don't, I, I enjoy him a lot. I, I, I really do. The one thing I would say I appreciate about him is that they made him a, he's a sneaker head. And so one of the things that they, they inferred to is I'm wearing Jordans in an ER, you know? So, and like, you can get stuff on your Jordans, all these things, but my shoes are sparkly clean, you know? So that's the one thing I really appreciate about those guys.

[00:15:54] Did you get, did you get to keep them? We're not done filming yet, but once we are, I'm going to, I'm going to make sure I keep them. How many, how many episodes are we expecting? 15. 15. How many have you filmed so far? We are on currently on 13. Okay. Wow. Yeah, we are. Yeah. Out of those 13 so far, is there like a certain episode you can't wait for the viewers to watch? Can you tease anything about it also or anything about your character? Oh man.

[00:16:24] I, I don't want to give anything away, like a certain point what to expect, but I'd say as just as it goes on, it's just, everything gets heightened and it spills to a point. And there is an episode where it's just like, oh shit, you know? So I don't want to give too much away what it is, but it's just, it's good. It gets, it gets really, really good. So Jalen, what's next for you now? Any other projects you have to tell us about? Are you about to go work on? Or are you just filming this and taking a break?

[00:16:53] As of right now, yeah, just filming this and then going to Thanksgiving too. We were filming that, I think in March. And yeah, so after this, we end filming in February and heading straight to, I think Toronto to film Thanksgiving too. And then that will be out next year. We'll have to get you back on for Thanksgiving. Oh, absolutely, man. It'd be a pleasure. Joe, let's end this by now. How can the listeners and the viewers find you on social media to keep up with you? Instagram. I'm only on Instagram.

[00:17:24] My tag is Jalen Thomas Brooks. Just my full name. Straightforward. Amazing. Joe, Jalen, I want to thank you for giving us today. Good luck with the series and good luck for Thanksgiving for coming up too. Thank you, man. Appreciate it. It's been a pleasure, man.