The Pitt EPs Mull Night Shift Spinoff, Explain Why They're In No Rush To Franchise The Hit Medical Drama
The Pitt may be a genuine hit for Max, but executive producers John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill aren't necessarily looking to turn it into a full-blown franchise, as Dick Wolf has done with FBI, Law & Order and #OneChicago.
Though fans have been champing at the bit for even more Pitt content — perhaps, say, a spinoff set exclusively during the night shift at PTMC that would bridge seasons of the main show — Wells and Gemmill do not wish to spread themselves too thin.
"It's possible that there will be a season of the show that takes place on the night shift," Wells tells me. "Whether we would franchise it after...? I think that it would be a little arrogant on our part to think that there's that much enthusiasm for the show [already]. It's nice to keep people excited about when it comes back [for Season 2] before we start thinking about how we do five versions of something."
Gemmill concurs, adding: "I think, in success, I would love to do a night shift [season]. We talked about it. It just comes with its own difficulties. I would also love to do a shift in the winter time in Pittsburgh."
Ultimately, though, one show may be all we get.
"Look, it's very complimentary that people are excited, and they want more," Wells says. "As storytellers, it's a wonderful affirmation of what has been a lot of hard work. I know from the outside, sometimes it doesn't seem like it's hard work — we're certainly not tarring roofs in the summertime — but it's a lot of hours, and to have people want more is a good feeling."
Right now, their main concern is getting Season 2 out in January 2026 — and, in success, maintaining an annual release schedule.
"One of the things that doesn't get talked about that much is that, for our crew of several hundred people, working for seven months and then asking them to stick around for five months or two years before you work again [is a big ask]," Wells explains. "It's why these crews are very difficult to hold together, and it's really hard on their families. So, being able to get into a rhythm where people can work, and know when they're going to work again, and know we're going to have them back, is very good for everyone."
Wells also points out that long wait times between seasons of your favorite shows is a more recent phenomenon: "Particularly over the last four of five years," amid a global pandemic and dual Hollywood strikes, doing one season per year "seemed more unusual. But, you know, The Sopranos came on the same time every year. We did Shameless for 11 seasons on Showtime, and we were on the exact same time, and we only finished that like three years ago. Same thing with Animal Kingdom [on TNT]."
In years' past, series star/executive producer Noah Wyle has credited Wells with the decision not to spin off their previous medical drama, NBC's ER. "CSI and Law & Order... all those shows figured out how they could brand themselves and replicate the model in a different city and get a different show out of it," Wyle said in 2021. "I always thought it was classy that we never tried to do that" — and for now, at least, there are no plans to replicate the model established by The Pitt.
Would you want to see a spinoff of The Pitt — perhaps one focused on the night shift? Or would you prefer if they don't go the franchise route, and just worry about making the one show? Drop your thoughts in a comment below.