When The Pitt returned for its second season, it brought a fresh face to Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center: nurse Emma Nolan, played by Juilliard grad Laëtitia Hollard. Emma’s first day on the job was a whirlwind of trauma and tenderness, from preparing a patient for death to caring for a sexual assault survivor, all while being attacked herself. Hollard’s performance turned Emma into an instant fan favorite, and now she’s opening up about a deleted scene that could have deepened her bond with another beloved character.
In a recent interview at the 2026 Overlook Film Festival, Hollard revealed that she auditioned for The Pitt using a scene between Emma and Dr. Javadi (Shabana Azeez) that never made it to air. “There used to be a scene with us two, actually. It was one of my audition scenes, where you can see we're the same age, but we see the world so differently,” Hollard explained. “So I think it would be nice to see what that friendship is like.” Fans who loved the dynamic between the two young professionals are now hoping showrunners will revisit that connection in Season 3.
Hollard also expressed interest in sharing screen time with another Season 2 standout: Gerran Howell’s Whitaker. “I think the person I could gain a lot from who I haven't talked to a lot would be Gerran’s character,” she said. “They come from similar backgrounds. I think they have parallel arcs of, like, Whitaker going towards the Robby, Emma going towards the Dana. I think finding out how to have that care and work-life balance would be a good conversation for both of them.” That kind of crossover could mirror the mentorship dynamics that made Season 1 so compelling.
Speaking of Dana (Katherine LaNasa), Hollard’s on-screen mentor, the actress laughed when asked if Emma could one day become charge nurse. “What's funny is I heard from a lot of nurses, with these types of hospitals, sometimes you have a nurse, it's only been like her ninth month being a nurse, that is a charge nurse,” she said. “Especially during night shifts. None of the experienced charge nurses want to go into the night shift area, so I think it would be so funny to have, like, Season 5 where she's a charge nurse, but you're like, ‘This kid should not be the charge nurse right now.’” It’s a playful nod to the show’s realism and Emma’s steep learning curve.
With The Pitt drawing massive ratings—Season 2 premiered to 5.4 million viewers, a 200% jump from Season 1, and the finale hit 9.7 million—the show’s future looks bright. Hollard’s hopes for more scenes with Javadi and Whitaker could become reality if the series continues its momentum. For now, fans can catch her full Collider Ladies Night interview, where she discusses her Juilliard training, her feature film debut in Larry Fessenden’s Trauma or, Monsters All, and what Emma thinks about her chaotic first day.
As we wait for official word on Season 3, it’s clear that Hollard has already left a mark. Whether she’s navigating trauma with grace or dreaming of a charge nurse role she’s not quite ready for, Emma Nolan is a character worth rooting for. And if that deleted scene with Javadi ever sees the light of day, it could be one of the most talked-about moments of the series.
