Gerran Howell discusses medical realism in HBO's The Pitt and George Clooney's rumored role in his casting

Gerran Howell, a Welsh actor from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, portrays fourth-year medical student Dennis Whitaker in the HBO drama The Pitt, set in a Pittsburgh hospital. The series, executive produced by Noah Wyle who also stars as Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, emphasizes medical accuracy with a team of advisers and intense boot camps featuring graphic procedural videos. Howell, 35, gained a new respect for healthcare professionals through the show's realistic trauma scenes and jargon. He divides his time between Los Angeles and London but frequently returns to Barry. Howell mentioned hearing reports that George Clooney, whom he met on the set of the 2019 mini-series Catch-22, recommended him for the role to Wyle, though he hasn't confirmed this with Wyle directly. The actor credited his drama teachers at Barry Comprehensive School and an after-school improvisation club in Cardiff Bay for igniting his passion for acting. The Pitt follows the daily lives of medics and has won an Emmy award.