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In a heartfelt conversation with TooFab ahead of the thrilling season finale, The Pitt actress Shabana Azeez — who plays the role of 20-year-old medical student Victoria Javadi — reflected on the overwhelming love from fans and became emotional as she shared insights on how medical professionals have responded positively to the series. This response highlights the show’s commitment to portraying the realities and challenges faced by those in the healthcare field.

Alongside the show’s innovative format — each episode encapsulates an hour-long shift — a weekly release schedule (available both in primetime and via streaming platforms) and exceptional performances (featuring lead actor Noah Wyle, who also contributes as a writer and executive producer), this Max drama has garnered praise from the medical community for its authenticity. It not only accurately portrays emergency medicine but also sheds light on the numerous challenges that healthcare professionals face within hospitals and the broader healthcare system today.

According to Azeez, who hails from Adelaide, Australia, she was aware that The Pitt would be “something special” for a multitude of reasons, reflecting her excitement and expectations for the series.

“Being from Australia, not many Australians watch Australian TV, so I am not accustomed to creating content that people are watching, which is why I knew it was going to be special,” she shared with TooFab. “However, as the audience begins to understand what the show represents, the perception has changed for the better. It seems like every hour, more and more people are becoming passionate about it. Viewers are increasingly connecting with the characters and understanding the complex layers of politics involved. It’s genuinely thrilling to witness this transformation.”

When reflecting on the various responses from viewers and the medical field that have particularly touched her, Azeez mentioned there are “countless” examples. She became emotional as she recounted a story about a charge nurse who was assaulted, mirroring a scene where Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s ER charge nurse Dana (played by Katherine LaNasa) is attacked by a disgruntled patient, Doug Driscoll.

This incident becomes a pivotal moment that prompts her to consider possibly resigning from her position at the hospital, illustrating the real-life implications of the show’s narrative.

“I was reading about this woman who shared her experience of being punched while working as a charge nurse. And I’m going to cry now,” Azeez recounted to TooFab, visibly emotional. “Yeah, it was really shocking to think, ‘Wow, that actually happened?’ This is something that resonates with us, as in, ‘Doug Driscoll, I’ll get you!’ The fact that these incidents occur in real life is truly difficult to comprehend, especially for those who witness it firsthand.”

She also shared her thoughts on an Instagram comment from a woman who expressed how she decompresses after a long and exhausting shift in the emergency department.

Azeez remarked, “I remember reading about this woman — I think it was yesterday on Instagram — who wrote an extensive comment about coming home after her shifts and heading straight to the bathtub to take some time for herself. It’s not about ignoring her kids, but rather creating space to become a person again, to decompress and heal before she rejoins her family after her shift. This insight into her life is so telling.”

“It truly resonated with me,” she continued. “This is a really challenging industry to be part of, particularly in the emergency department, where wait times can be long and people can become irate due to frustrations. Hearing these real stories from medical professionals is impactful. Although the show is powerful, and we showcase much of that, it’s easy for outsiders to dismiss it as dramatized. But these events are real, and that’s what makes this show so compelling. Many medical dramas tend to exaggerate situations, and when you encounter one that presents reality, it forces you to rethink your perceptions.”

On a lighter note, Azeez also discussed Victoria Javadi’s budding relationship with ER nurse Mateo Diaz (played by Jalen Thomas Brooks).

As fans will recall, Victoria — a socially awkward child prodigy who graduated from college at the age of 13 — develops a crush on Mateo. Unfortunately, her attempts to connect with him lead to some awkward moments. Despite being initially turned down, following a major event, Mateo reaches out to Victoria, hands her a juice box, and affectionately calls her a “rock star” before inviting her to join the group for drinks in the finale.

When asked if she believes these sweet moments hint at a potential romance for the two characters, Azeez responded, “I think for Javadi … any little hint, and she’s like, ‘It’s happening!’”

“And I’ve been seeing — actually, Jalen sent me a fan edit of our characters this morning,” she shared. “Fans have created a hashtag #Mavadi…. So, I’m rooting for her, and I’m rooting for them.”

“I also think she’s probably never had a boyfriend before,” she continued. “She’s never had a partner before. … I don’t think she’s ever been on a date. Maybe a couple of dates, but she’s never really had a relationship. So, I would love for her to experience that growth socially.”

“I ship it!” she exclaimed, adding that she believes Mateo exhibited some “energy” during their encounters in the final two episodes.

Another aspect that sets The Pitt apart from other medical dramas is its diverse cast. Azeez is one of several South Asian actresses featured in the series, alongside Supriya Ganesh, who plays third-year resident Dr. Samira Mohan, Deepti Gupta, portraying Javadi’s mother Dr. Eileen Shamsi, and Sasha Bhasin, who plays a beauty influencer named Nandi in multiple episodes.

Azeez expressed to TooFab that it feels “incredibly rewarding” to be part of a series that showcases such a rich diversity of characters.

“It’s comforting because you don’t feel isolated in your experiences,” she mentioned. “Especially now, as public perception shifts and individuals are treated differently based on various factors, having Supriya, having a sister like that to navigate this journey together, through the good and the bad, is incredibly special and something I deeply appreciate.”

“There’s a reality where John [Wells] and [showrunner and creator R. Scott Gemmill] and the powers that be didn’t make these choices and didn’t allow two of us who — we don’t look alike — but share similar backgrounds,” she added. “They could have made a different choice, and it still would have resonated with the audience, but for us, it feels uniquely special. I am genuinely thankful for that.”

The Pitt debuted in January and was renewed for a second season just a month later. Production for the second season is set to begin this summer and will premiere a year after Season 1, taking place ten months later during the Fourth of July weekend.

When asked about her hopes for Victoria Javadi in Season 2, Azeez remarked, “Well, your guess is as good as mine. They keep me in the dark about everything. I’ve seen a lot of tweets saying, ‘I’m begging this girl to go into dermatology.’ And my response was, ‘No! I need her to have a job. They aren’t making a TV show about the dermatology department!’”

“I feel that if [Javadi] remains [in the ED], I want her to want to stay,” she continued. “She deserves to make her own choices. I think she’s done what others want her to do for so long, and that’s why Mateo is so exciting for me, because it’s the first time she’s pursuing something she genuinely wants, without anyone else’s expectations weighing on her.”

“I hope she learns to embrace whatever she does, pouring her heart into it, because she is going to be an amazing doctor, no matter where she ends up,” Azeez shared.

Azeez also discussed the pivotal moment when Victoria stood up to her mother, reflected on which complex medical jargon was the hardest to pronounce in an American accent, and shared her experiences playing Mario Kart with her co-stars on set, among other topics.

Be sure to watch the full interview in the clips above!

Season 1 of The Pitt is currently available for streaming in its entirety on Max.