The second season of The Pitt kicks off with Dr. Robby (played by Noah Wyle) preparing to take a three-month hiatus to escape his troubles on a motorcycle journey. Set firmly in reality, the HBO Max series introduces a new character to step into Dr. Robby’s shoes during his absence: Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, portrayed by Sepideh Moafi. Intriguingly, Dr. Al-Hashimi already shares ties with two of the show’s most cherished characters, adding depth to her arrival.

Known affectionately as “Dr. Al,” she transitions to The Pitt from a local VA Hospital, where she previously collaborated with Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) and Dr. Mel King (Taylor Dearden). Fans of the series will recognize Mohan and King as optimistic, proactive individuals with a knack for patient empathy. Dr. Al-Hashimi not only matches their energy but also brings a fervent commitment to leveraging technology for meaningful improvements in the emergency department. Sepideh Moafi describes her character as a symbol of “modernization in medicine.”

“She utilizes technology to enhance the system rather than dominate it,” Moafi explains. “This isn’t a scenario reminiscent of a medical ‘Terminator.’ Her goal is to use technology to alleviate the burdens faced by healthcare workers.”

In the latest season, a subplot unfolds highlighting the challenges young doctors, particularly Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones), face as they balance patient rounds with the demands of maintaining detailed charts. Moafi notes that this mirrors real-world issues, where doctors often find themselves bogged down with paperwork, diverting time from patient care. Dr. Al proposes a solution in the form of generative AI, though it garners mixed reactions from the team at The Pitt.

“As humans, we have our limitations, and if we can oversee AI technology to develop systems that assist in diagnosis and alleviate workloads, it can address issues overlooked due to fatigue and burnout,” Moafi articulates. “Dr. Al clings to the notion that although the battle is uphill, it doesn’t deter her from seeking innovative strategies and striving towards progress.”

Dr. Al-Hashimi’s approach puts her at odds with Robby, who prefers old school methods and making the best of what the ED already has. The two spend The Pitt Season 2 attempting to figure each other out, sometimes physically colliding in humorous ways or talking over each other in the ER.

“We have wildly different sort of takes and sort of ways into medicine and teaching and running an ER, and yet we share a similar goal,” Moafi said. “So I think throughout the season, you’ll see two animals who are trying to figure each other out, figure themselves out through each other and figure each other out as themselves. It’s quite a journey.”

Two characters who already have Dr. Al-Hashimi figured out? Mel and Mohan. Taylor Dearden and Supriya Ganesh told DECIDER how Dr. Al’s arrival impacted their characters in a positive way.

“Sepi herself brings a very calm and, like, competent energy, both herself and playing Dr. Al-Hashimi,” Taylor Dearden said. “There’s a certain comfort in knowing her style that I think our characters had.”

“Yeah, I think for me, Robby comes down so hard on Samira and I think she really loved working with Dr. Al-Hashimi in the past because she is more aligned with her,” Supriya Ganesh said. “So I think, you know, feeling like there is a mentor there that’s more aligned with her, I think is really special for her. And maybe she’s a little excited that Al-Hashimi might take over.”

Dr. Jack Abbot (Shawn Hatosy) is another character stoked about Dr. Al-Hashimi’s arrival. The night shift Attending makes a dramatic entrance in Episode 7 and quickly bonds with Dr. Al over their shared pasts in Afghanistan, agreeing to trade “war stories” over a beer.

“She’s a flirt,” Hatosy teased. “I mean, like within minutes of meeting Abbot, they’re already like —”

“He asked me out!” Moafi said, laughing.

“They’re going to go have a beer,” Hatosy said.

“We will have a beer,” Moafi said.

New episodes of The Pitt Season 2 premiere on HBO Max on Thursdays at 9 PM ET.