“The Pitt” will return for its third season on HBO Max in early 2027, but the Emmy Award-winning medical drama will make a stop in Pittsburgh even sooner.
The show, which follows the staff of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, is in production for its third season. While most of it is filmed in Los Angeles, production will shoot some scenes in Pittsburgh in late October — and Steel City residents can appear as background actors.
Here’s local production will take place and how to audition as a background actor.
Is ‘The Pitt’ filming in Pittsburgh?
For the most part, production for “The Pitt” has not taken place in Pittsburgh. However, actual shots of the city — and its real-life hospital, Allegheny General Hospital — are featured throughout the series.
Additionally, production will set up shop in Pittsburgh for several days in late October, when they’ll shoot some scenes from Oct. 27 through Oct. 29.
We’re halfway through 2026, and there has been so much great TV already. Here are the 10 best shows so far this year. 10. ‘Ponies’ (Peacock)Starring “Game of Thrones” alumna Emilia Clarke and “The White Lotus” Season 2 breakout Haley Lu Richardson, “Ponies” is the story of two unassuming CIA widows who turn out to be rather good spies themselves when thrust into the cold, killer world of 1970s Moscow. It is rich with warmth, good storytelling and magnetic actors. (Katalin Vermes, Peacock)9. ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ (Netflix)”Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee returns with a very different but equally compelling Netflix series about female friendship and womanhood. (Christopher Barr, Netflix)8. ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ (Apple TV)Hilarious, quirky and delicious, “Margo’s Got Money Trouble” is an irresistible comedy with a magnetic cast that you just can’t stop watching. (Allyson Riggs, Apple TV)7. ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ (NBC)Who would ever think of pairing Daniel Radcliffe and Tracy Morgan in a goofy, self-referential network sitcom? Well, that would be creators Robert Carlock (“30 Rock”) and Sam Means (“Girls5Eva”) who found surprising comedic chemistry among those two stars, as well as the rest of the magnetic cast. (Scott Gries, NBC)6. ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ (Britbox)”The Other Bennet Sister” is a perfect blend of sweet and simple without being boring or slow. Based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, “Bennet” tells the story of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” from the point of view of Mary Bennet, Lizzie Bennet’s awkward and plain younger sister. (James Pardon, BBC/Bad Wolf)5. ‘The Comeback’ (HBO)No one is better at a comeback than Lisa Kudrow, except, perhaps, Valerie Cherish. Yes, the irresistibly cringey protagonist of HBO’s comedic darling “The Comeback” came back, once again. The story of an actress looking for her comeback graced our screens in Season 1 (2005) and Season 2 (2014), and 2026’s Season 3 found a story that is so very apt (and hilarious) for the times we’re currently living in. This time Valerie, a faded TV star looking to bring her career back into the spotlight, is starring in a revolutionary new TV series: One written by AI. Kudrow hits every mark, the jokes penned by creator Michael Patrick King (“Sex and the City”) are acerbic and hilarious, and every moment is must-see TV. (HBO)4. ‘Beef’ (Netflix)In 2023, Netflix’s “Beef,” the story of a road-rage incident that turns into a blood feud between two strangers, was a surprise hit, a word-of-mouth sensation that rode its acclaim and fantastic performances all the way to multiple Emmy awards. Its long-awaited second season, with a new cast and a new beef at the center, did not disappoint. Season 2 follows two couples on a path of mutual destruction, one older and jaded and one young and naive. Starring Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton, the story retains the shock and awe, exciting performances and mind-boggling twists of Season 1 while remaining fresh and exciting. (Netflix)3. ‘Survivor 50’ (CBS)Twenty-six years and 50 seasons into its run on CBS, the reality competition series that took the world by storm in 2000 is still kicking, and kicking up a storm of great TV. (Robert Voets, CBS)2. ‘Lord of the Flies’ (Netflix)The best new show to hit TV screens so far this year will give you flashbacks to high school English class. This new adaptation of the classic William Golding novel, a British production, is a moody, harrowing and deeply upsetting experience. (J Redza, Eleven/Sony Pictures Television)1. ‘The Pitt’ (HBO Max)It’s almost a cliché to call HBO Max’s medical drama sensation “The Pitt” the best show on TV. It has collected a wheelbarrow full of shiny awards, including 15 Emmys for 2025’s first season. But in Season 2, which premiered back in January, “The Pitt” didn’t miss a (heart)beat. The new episodes somehow grew on the creative success of Season 1, with new characters, new emergencies and new commentary on our very chaotic world. The show seems to be an unstoppable cultural phenomenon. If all continues like this, “The Pitt” will be the best show on television for as long as it airs. (Warrick Page, HBO Max)
What Pittsburgh building is ‘The Pitt’ filmed inside?
While most of “The Pitt” is filmed on a Los Angeles soundstage on the Warner Bros. Studio Lot, certain parts Allegheny General Hospital have been shot for the show in past seasons, PBS reported. These have included the hospital’s lobby and parts of the exterior, like the building’s signage and helipad.
Can anyone be an extra on ‘The Pitt’? What casting agents are looking for
Any non-union background actors can apply to be an extra on “The Pitt,” though most roles will be for people ages 18 and older, according to the casting call posted on Movie Casting PGH.
Extras will be cast in roles such as doctors, nurses, med techs, EMTs, patients, hospital visitors, as well as pedestrians, people with cars and construction workers. Production is also looking for precision drivers.
Men interested in city worker, police type or bureau type roles should not have any face or neck tattoos and be willing to shave if asked.
For those playing Pittsburgh residents, production is looking for people with “weathered, lived-in faces” with “rugged, natural, unpolished looks.” They’re seeking a variety of ages, body types and ethnicities with the goal of showing “authentic, everyday looks rather than overly styled or camera-ready appearances.” The director is particularly interested in people whose hair is longer, grown out or naturally unstyled, as well as people with facial hair. Extras should be comfortable appearing without polished hair or makeup. They should also be comfortable working outdoors for a scene set in the winter, with layered clothing appropriate for the scene.
No prior acting experience is necessary.
Do extras on ‘The Pitt’ get paid?
Yes. General background actors will be paid $250 for 12 hours of work, as well as overtime if they exceed 12 hours of work in a day.
Those interested in working as extras should make themselves available for at least one full day, with some scenes requiring multiple days of filming.
How to sign up to be an extra on ‘The Pitt’
There’s a casting form posted at Movie Casting PGH. Those interested in being extras on “The Pitt” should fill out the form and email extraspgh@gmail.com. You’ll need to include photos, though the specific photos you’ll need to submit will depend on what role you’re interested in.
What Pittsburgh locations are mentioned in ‘The Pitt’?
Numerous places throughout the Pittsburgh area have been mentioned on past seasons of “The Pitt.” VisitPITTSBURGH compiled a list of some of the locations referenced on the show, which includes:
Primanti Bros.
When does ‘The Pitt’ season 3 come out?
Season three of “The Pitt” is set to premiere on HBO Max in January 2027, with the events of the season set on Nov. 12, 2026, four months and eight days after the events of season two Michael “Robby” Robinavitch returning from his sabbatical as the emergency department welcomes new doctors, patients and a new chief medical officer
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram:@finchwalker_.X:@_finchwalker.