HBO’s viral medical drama The Pitt has us instantly hooked when we first binged it last year, and with the Season 2 finale airing yesterday, April 16, we’re already desperate for more.
The show has captivated audiences with one of the most realistic portrayals of emergency medicine on TV. Notably, it focuses on patients and the powerful stories that emerge from their treatment and its impact on the doctors, rather than overplayed interpersonal drama, truly allowing its talented ensemble cast to shine. Actress Jona Xiao is a recent addition, who joined the cast in the Season 2 finale as OB Nurse Sam Garvin for its intense conclusion, jumping right into the tension in real time.
Jona has also lended her voice to Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda and Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, in addition to appearing in The Flash, Hightown and more. Just in time for the end of the new season, we got the chance to speak with her about her about her history as an actress, what being part of The Pitt means to her and her life beyond the world of acting. Keep reading for our full interview.
Sweety High: Tell us about how you got involved in acting. When and how did you discover this passion, and was there any specific a-ha moment that made you realize it was the path for you?
Jona Xiao: I grew up in a trailer park in Upstate New York, and like many kids who experience different types of hardships early in life, film and television became a refuge for me. It was a place where I could breathe, imagine and see worlds far beyond my immediate surroundings. Stories helped me understand people, possibility and what life could look like outside the circumstances I was in.
Acting became a way not only to escape, but to connect. I remember being cast as the lead in my sixth grade play Rappinstiltskin‘ (a rapping version of Rumpelstiltskin) and realizing how much I loved making people laugh, feel and think. That was the moment something clicked.
Storytelling showed me that our circumstances don’t define our ceiling. It showed me that empathy can bridge worlds. And now, getting to be part of stories that might do that for someone else feels incredibly meaningful.
(Photo credit: Brett Erickson)
SH: Were you familiar with The Pitt before you booked the role? What does it mean to join this star-studded, critically acclaimed series?
JX: Totally, it’s surreal to be a part of show that is both critically acclaimed and super popular like The Pitt. It’s one of those rare series that feels both incredibly entertaining and deeply human. The storytelling is grounded, emotional, and really honors the complexity of the people working in high-pressure medical environments.
There’s such an abundance of talent working on the show and because the writing, directing and performances are operating at such a high level, it makes me want to rise to meet that standard. It was a cool “alright then, “challenge accepted” moment, haha.
SH: What can you tell us about your new character, Sam Garvin? How does she fit into the chaos, and which doctors is she working most closely with in that final hour of the season?
JX: Sam Garvin is an OB nurse who is incredibly capable under pressure. What I love about her is that she’s calm in chaos, witty and stands up for what she believes is right, even if someone else has seniority. She’s someone who brings both technical skill and emotional intelligence into very high-stakes moments, which is exactly what you want in someone responsible for both mom and baby.
The writing on The Pitt is so strong, and this episode layers the stakes for both lives. There’s such a delicate balance in OB medicine, because you are constantly considering two patients at once. Sam understands that weight, and she steps into those challenging moments with steadiness and clarity.
Her OB expertise and leadership help the team navigate some very challenging and rare pregnancy complications.
She’s the kind of person you want in the room when everything feels uncertain. 
(Courtesy of HBO)
Also read about: 8 Shows and Films to Watch If You Can’t Get Enough of Noah Wyle in The Pitt
SH: Was it hard to master the medical language and wrap your tongue around any of the jargon in order to convincingly play an OB on screen?
JX: Medical dialogue definitely requires preparation because it needs to feel second nature. The audience can immediately tell if an actor isn’t comfortable with the terminology.
Our on set doctors like Dr. Fred were really helpful in explaining the terms, how to handle the medical equipment, and context.
I also researched the workflow of OB nurses and how I as an OB nurse am taking in what’s being said to me and what the medical devices are telling us. Focusing on intention rather than memorization was really useful too. Once you understand why something is urgent, the language starts to flow more naturally.
Also, the writing on The Pitt is incredibly strong, which makes a huge difference.
SH: What was the trickiest part of the role? What was the most fun or satisfying?
JX: It was a really fun challenge to be a part of scenes that felt like a beautifully choreographed ballet under pressure. Everyone is moving with urgency, speaking complex medical language, handling equipment, responding to new information in real time… and it all has to feel seamless and truthful. You’re capturing both the chaos and the flow of a life-or-death moment, where every second and every decision matters.
I’m often drawn to what I call “Hard Candy” characters, people who come across as sweet, but who are hard/tough underneath. Sam embodies that beautifully. She’s someone who can comfort a patient in one breath and make a decisive medical call in the next.
She brings both heart and authority into the room, and in moments like these, you need both.
(Photo credit: Brett Erickson)
SH: What was your most memorable moment on the set? Did you have any favorite interactions with the cast?
JX: The cast and crew made me feel so at home! On such a dramatic show, it was lovely to have so many moments of laughter and levity between takes. At one point, a few of the castmates (including Jalen Brooks, Ayesha Harris and Luke Tennie) and I started freestyle rapping in between takes. And Shawn Hatosy and I would rally folks to play pickleball outside of filming at the WB lot pickleball court.
Also, there producers and Noah Wyle created such a collaborative, ego-free environment and I can tell how much that’s appreciated by everyone. The day Season 3 was officially greenlit and announced, I was on set and got to see how proud and excited everyone was to get to continue telling these powerful stories together.
SH: What are you most excited for fans to see when the episode releases?
JX: Medical shows are like team sports: everyone has a role, communication is everything and the stakes couldn’t be higher. I love stepping into that kind of high-pressure teamwork.
I’m excited for fans to experience the intensity and emotional stakes of the episode. The writing really captures how quickly circumstances can shift in a hospital environment and how important teamwork becomes in those moments.
There’s a strong sense of urgency, but also humanity. That balance is what makes the show resonate.
Also read about: Where to Watch Taylor Dearden Next If You Love Her in The Pitt
SH: Where else can we see your work at the moment?
JX: You can catch me as the voice of Jorani, the first ever female Iron Fist in the MCU in Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda.
I’ve also appeared in projects like The Flash, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Hightown. And outside of acting, I’m the founder of Career ACTivate, where we help actors master the business side of show business so they can turn their passion into a paying career.
And I hope Nurse Garvin gets to return in Season 3 of The Pitt!
SH: Is there anything else we should know about you right now?
JX: In addition to acting, I’m a competitive flag football quarterback and have had the opportunity to represent Team USA, as well as win a gold medal in dodgeball at the Gay Games.
Sports have taught me a lot about leadership, resilience and teamwork, lessons that absolutely translate to working on set and building a career in this industry. Whether I’m acting, mentoring or playing sports, I’m driven by the idea of helping people expand what they believe is possible for themselves.
Obsessed with The Pitt? Click HERE to find out which character you’re the most similar to, based on your zodiac sign.
