Actress Amielynn Abellera chatted about starring in the new medical drama TV series “The Pitt” on Max.
How was your experience in “The Pitt”?
I don’t have enough positive expletives to describe my experience on The Pitt.
I’ve admired so many of John Wells’ shows, and it was a dream to work on one of his projects. The artists he gathered—behind and in front of the camera—are the most prolific in their field, and I was in awe of working alongside each of them every day.
I’ve also never had the experience of being involved in a project from the beginning—of being one of many seeds collaborating and growing together.
At the end of our seven-month journey, we all shared a deep pride and joy in what we created and the team we’d become.
What did you like the most about your character?
Perlah is intensely dedicated to her vocation without ever forgetting to find humor and joy. It’s been fun to portray her confidence, competence, and passion for her job.
Also, it’s a privilege to bring presence and visibility to communities that have been underrepresented and misrepresented in mainstream media.
Receiving the celebratory feedback from these specific audiences has been an honor.
What was it like working with Noah Wyle?
I grew up admiring Noah Wyle in projects that were prominent and influential to my being an actor. I absolutely never imagined I’d have the honor of being his scene partner.
Noah is a powerful artist and truly a walking acting masterclass. He is also an extraordinarily kind human being, which fostered the unconditional generosity and welcoming dynamic we had on set.
Noah expressed gratitude to each person involved with the show and was never without joy to be creating The Pitt and sharing these stories.
What did this show teach you about yourself?
Until The Pitt, I only had a surface understanding of COVID’s devastating impact on healthcare professionals.
Working alongside our medical team (real-life nurses and doctors) has opened my eyes to the trauma they continue to shoulder and the existing challenges of a strained healthcare system.
I have many family and friends who work in healthcare, and I am grateful to The Pitt for deepening my love and respect for their contributions and providing a space for me to celebrate their continued efforts.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
Every day on The Pitt, I was enthralled by the hundreds of artists committed to placing only the best elements in front of the camera so that every frame was filled with truthful realism.
Not a single detail was missed, down to the accurate red color of fake blood under the nail of a patient’s right pinky.
Experiencing this dedication motivated (and continues to motivate) me to keep growing on my artistic journey. It’s important never to stop honing my craft, and I want to be as committed to passion and expertise as each artist on that set.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
I wish I had useful advice. I wish there was a guidebook to navigating an acting career. I think it’s important to accept the uncertainty and understand that there’s no “right” path to experience the journey.
I had to embrace what steps felt sincere to me and trust that the universe will ultimately guide me in the right direction.
What would you like to say to our readers about “The Pitt”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Thank you for supporting The Pitt! It’s been an honor to bring you joy and enthusiasm with each episode, as well as a much needed spotlight on the extraordinary resilience of our healthcare professionals.
I hope you continue to reflect, applaud, and celebrate the healthcare heroes in your life and beyond.
To learn more about actress Amielynn Abellera, follow her on Instagram.
