Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Pitt season 1, episode 15.Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) had one of the darkest and most impactful stories inThe Pittseason 1, and one fun fact about Ball makes Langdon’s story even more impressive. Dr. Langdon started out as one of the most important and likable parts of thecast ofThe Pitt, but it all came crumbling down. By theend ofThe Pittseason 1, Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) discovered Langdon’s drug misuse, and Langdon ruined his reputation by lashing out at Robby in return. Langdon also didn’t even get a chance to redeem himself before the end of the shift, which left his story in a very dark place.
The fact that Patrick Ball was able to pull off Dr. Langdon’s story so expertly in a show likeThe Pittis, in and of itself, impressive. With all the chaos of the PittFest shooting, Robby’s mental health issues, and everything else the staff of PTMC had to deal with, Ball still found a way to be one of the most memorable parts ofThe Pitt. His performance as Langdon speaks for itself, but one wild fact about Patrick Ball’s acting career makes what he did with Langdon even more incredible.
Dr. Langdon On The Pitt Is Only Patrick Ball’s Second Acting Credit
One of the most astonishing parts of Langdon’s story is thatThe Pittis only Patrick Ball’s second professional TV credit.He had some experience acting in theater (viaVulture), as well as a guest appearance on a 2023 episode ofLaw & Order, but other than that,The Pittis Ball’s first major project. Ball’s lack of TV experience doesn’t show up in the slightest inThe Pitt, however. He nailed every part of Langdon’s slow decline, and he went to some surprisingly dark depths to sell the idea that Langdon truly was deluded about his own addiction and lashing out in a moment of true panic.
Ball handled Langdon’s drug misuse story with masterful grace, but he also gave an impressive performance all season long.Right from the start ofThe Pitt, Ball seemed like a seasoned veteran of TV acting as he barked out medical orders and riffed with his costars. The sheer versatility of Langdon as a character also couldn’t have been an easy task for any actor. Over the course ofThe Pitt, Langdon went from a likable, scatterbrained doctor who was clueless about women to a fearful, opportunistic man who would take anyone down to save his own skin, and Ball was perfectly suited to it.
The Pitt Has One Of The Most Impressive Ensemble Casts On TV Right Now
The Pitt Features New & Seasoned Actors Working In Perfect Harmony
Patrick Ball’s relative lack of acting experience also highlights another thingThe Pittis absolutely nailing: its ensemble cast.I can’t think of another show that has so effectively blended acclaimed and longtime screen actors like Noah Wyle and Fiona Dourif with relative newcomers like Patrick Ball and Supriya Ganesh (who has just 16 credits). Even thoughThe Pitthad a hugely diverse cast, both in terms of background and experience, every actor seemed right at home portraying the doctors and nurses of PTMC. That’s no easy feat, and it madeThe Pitteven more special.
Shows with large ensemble casts, likeThe Pitt, often struggle to find their footing. There’s a long list ofshows where the first season is the worst, after all.The Pitt, however, doesn’t have that problem. It started in full force, and its inaugural season was one of the best medical dramas I’ve ever seen. That makes me even more excited forThe Pittseason 2, which should see a cast of actors who already work wonderfully together grow even closer and mesh even more seamlessly.The Pittcould easily be a staple for years to come.
