Spoiler Alert: This article contians spoilers for The Pitt season 1.

Summary

The Pitt season 1 had a dark and emotional finale with well-developed characters.
Dr. Langdon's plotline will undergo a major shift in The Pitt season 2.
Langdon's return to the hospital might impact his relationships but could lead to character growth.

The Pitt season 1 finale was dark, emotional, and memorable, and given the impressive 15-episode first season, it's no wonder the Max hospital drama has such a large fanbase. As Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) and his team navigate a 15-hour shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, viewers get glimpses into their personal lives, dreams, traumas, and fears. The series is as realistic and grounded as the FX/Hulu comedy The Bear and has been compared to both E.R. And Grey's Anatomy.

The Pitt season 1 is so excellent thanks to the strong acting and the well-developed characters, including Dr. Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball), a confident character who has been stealing medication from the hospital. It's shocking to find out the truth about Langdon, but this also sets up a big problem for The Pitt, which has been renewed for season 2.

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By Aya Tsintziras

How Can The Pitt Season 2 Handle Dr. Langdon's Plotline?

Dr. Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball) on The Pitt

In an interview with TV Line, showrunner R. Scott Gemmill said Dr. Langdon has to attend a 30-day rehab program in order to still be a doctor. Gemmill said:

"I think we will pick up on Langdon’s first day back at work, but it’ll be more than a month…. The biggest driver of [the Season 2 time jump is] Langdon. Thirty days is probably the minimum he would have to do."

If this is what happens, then The Pitt season 2 has to show Langdon having a challenging time. If he returns to the hospital and everything is fine, that won't feel realistic. If Langdon is struggling, then his path to healing might take more than a month. Since The Pitt tells a dramatic yet grounded story in real time, viewers need to see Langdon in rough shape. While no fan wants him to suffer, especially since it's clear he loves what he does, he can't have an easy time getting back to his job. However, this sets up a potential issue: how much can Langdon change? On the one hand, fans want to see character growth, and that would mean that he has realized he wants to make a change and move on from the mistake of stealing from the hospital. On the other hand, it wouldn't make sense if everything was suddenly back to normal.

If Langdon is allowed to practice medicine again, then The Pitt season 2 needs to focus on how his relationship with Robby and the other doctors, interns, and residents changes now that he has spent some time away. Langdon's mental health struggles have allowed him to connect with Robby more, although they have a complicated relationship.

The Pitt season 2 should also play up the difficult dynamic between Langdon and Dr. Trinity Santos, who is played by Isa Briones, who starred on season 1 of the Disney+ TV series based on R.L. Stine's Goosebumps book series. If The Pitt season 2 opens with Langdon's first day back at work, then Santos should be unsure how to act around him. This would be interesting since she's the one who told Robby about what was going on. It would also be great to see a moment of real and genuine connection between Santos and Langdon since, ultimately, they're both overly confident and believe they're the best doctor at the hospital. They have more in common than they might originally think.

What Did Patrick Ball Say About Playing Dr. Langdon On The Pitt?

In a March 2025 interview with Deadline, Patrick Ball shared his experience playing Dr. Langdon on The Pitt season 1. He talked about how his parents, who are a paramedic and E.R. Nurse, love the series, which has gotten praise from Stephen King, because it's so realistic.

Ball praised showrunner R. Scott Gemmill for crafting Langdon's storyline since there are no easy answers and by the end of The Pitt season 1, viewers are still wondering what's going to happen to the character. Ball said:

"He doesn’t come out and present you with a tidy thesis or a tidy takeaway. He kind of leaves that for the audience to do. And I don’t want to get in the way of that."

When asked about coming back to The Pitt season 2 and Langdon keeping his job, Ball said:

"I want to stay. I love it here."