10 Best Shows Like ‘The Pitt’ You Need to Watch Next
I recently got hooked on ‘The Pitt,’ a medical drama that dives deep into the chaos of an emergency room. It’s intense, real, and keeps you glued to the screen with its raw look at doctors under pressure. In this article, I will show you 10 more shows like ‘The Pitt’ to satisfy your hunger.
If you’re like me and craving more shows with that same high-stakes vibe, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of ten medical dramas that deliver gripping stories, complex characters, and heart-pounding moments just like ‘The Pitt.’
ER (1994-2009)
‘ER’ follows the fast-paced lives of doctors and nurses at County General Hospital in Chicago. The show dives into their personal struggles and the endless stream of patients they treat, from gunshot wounds to rare diseases. It’s known for its large ensemble cast, including stars like George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross and Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter.
What makes it like ‘The Pitt’ is its gritty focus on the emergency room’s relentless energy. Both shows capture the emotional toll on doctors while juggling life-or-death cases, and ‘ER’ shares that same real-time intensity with overlapping storylines that keep you on edge.
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present)
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ centers on Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, and her fellow surgeons at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle. The show blends intense medical cases with deep dives into the doctors’ messy relationships and personal growth over multiple seasons. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions with a knack for dramatic twists.
Like ‘The Pitt,’ it thrives on high-pressure hospital chaos and complex character arcs. Both shows balance the adrenaline of saving lives with the heartbreak and bonds formed under stress, making them equally addictive for drama lovers.
House M.D. (2004-2012)
‘House M.D.’ stars Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant but abrasive diagnostician who solves bizarre medical mysteries with his team at Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital. Each episode feels like a detective story, unraveling rare conditions while exploring House’s own flaws and sharp wit.
It echoes ‘The Pitt’ through its intense focus on medical crises and flawed characters. While ‘The Pitt’ leans into ER realism, ‘House M.D.’ hooks you with its puzzle-like cases and a lead who, like ‘The Pitt’s’ doctors, wrestles with personal demons under the hospital’s bright lights.
Chicago Med (2015-present)
‘Chicago Med’ tracks the emergency department at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, where doctors like Dr. Will Halstead, played by Nick Gehlfuss, tackle urgent cases. Part of the One Chicago universe, it weaves in crossovers with ‘Chicago Fire’ and ‘Chicago P.D.,’ adding layers to its storytelling.
Its connection to ‘The Pitt’ lies in the non-stop ER action and ensemble cast dealing with both patients and their own lives. Both shows deliver that pulse-pounding hospital atmosphere, with staff pushed to their limits by unpredictable emergencies.
The Resident (2018-2023)
‘The Resident’ follows Dr. Conrad Hawkins, portrayed by Matt Czuchry, at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. The show exposes the highs and lows of modern healthcare, from lifesaving surgeries to battles against hospital bureaucracy and ethical dilemmas, with a strong cast including Bruce Greenwood.
It feels close to ‘The Pitt’ because of its raw take on the medical world’s challenges. Both dive into the stress of understaffed hospitals and the moral choices doctors face, keeping you invested in the characters’ fights to do what’s right.
Code Black (2015-2018)
‘Code Black’ is set in Angels Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, where Dr. Leanne Rorish, played by Marcia Gay Harden, leads a team through an overwhelmed ER. The term “code black” means more patients than resources, and the show captures the frantic pace of those moments.
It mirrors ‘The Pitt’ with its high-intensity ER setting and focus on stretched-thin staff. Both shows pull you into the chaos of medicine under extreme pressure, blending emotional patient stories with the toll it takes on the doctors.
The Night Shift (2014-2017)
‘The Night Shift’ focuses on the overnight crew at San Antonio Memorial Hospital, led by Dr. TC Callahan, played by Eoin Macken. Many doctors are ex-military, bringing unique perspectives as they handle emergencies and personal struggles during the quiet but intense night hours.
Like ‘The Pitt,’ it’s all about the relentless grind of emergency medicine. Both shows highlight doctors balancing trauma cases with their own baggage, with a tight-knit team dynamic that keeps the tension and heart front and center.
Nurse Jackie (2009-2015)
‘Nurse Jackie’ stars Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, an ER nurse at All Saints’ Hospital in New York juggling addiction, work, and family. The show mixes dark comedy with drama, showing her efforts to care for patients while her personal life spirals.
It shares ‘The Pitt’s’ knack for blending intense medical work with flawed characters. Both dig into the emotional weight of healthcare, with leads who face inner battles as they navigate the ER’s daily grind, making for compelling, human stories.
St. Elsewhere (1982-1988)
‘St. Elsewhere’ tracks the staff at St. Eligius Hospital in Boston, a rundown facility where doctors like Dr. Mark Craig, played by William Daniels, tackle tough cases. It broke ground with its realistic portrayal of medicine, featuring early roles for Denzel Washington and Mark Harmon.
It connects to ‘The Pitt’ through its unflinching look at hospital life and character-driven drama. Both shows avoid glamorizing medicine, instead showing the messy reality of saving lives while dealing with personal and systemic struggles.
9-1-1 (2018-present)
‘9-1-1’ follows first responders in Los Angeles, including paramedics, firefighters, and cops, led by Angela Bassett as Athena Grant and Peter Krause as Bobby Nash. Created by Ryan Murphy, it dives into wild emergencies like earthquakes alongside the responders’ personal lives.
While not strictly a medical show, it matches ‘The Pitt’s’ high-stakes tension and focus on people under pressure. Both capture the adrenaline of life-saving work and the emotional bonds formed in chaotic settings, keeping you hooked on every call.