Noah Wyle is reprising his role in a medical setting with Max’s “The Pitt,” but things are notably different now.

Over 30 years have passed since Wyle, now 53, portrayed the well-loved character Dr. John Carter on “ER.” Carter was a young, enthusiastic medical student who debuted in NBC’s 1994 series at Cook County General Hospital. At the age of 23, he was the youngest member of the cast, sharing the spotlight with stars like George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, and Eriq La Salle.

Although Wyle departed the gripping medical series in 2005 after 11 seasons, by that time, Carter had matured into an attending physician, still carrying a sense of hopefulness. In “The Pitt,” Wyle takes on the role of Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, who finds himself on the brink of a breakdown as he leads the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Robby’s appearance reveals the passage of time, with a scruffy beard sprinkled with gray and a casual sweatshirt worn over his scrubs, presenting a more ordinary look compared to his ’90s glory days.

Each time Robby puts on his stethoscope, Wyle feels a wave of nostalgia for the medical dramas of yesteryears in this disorderly new context. “I never realized how much memory and history could be attached to a prop like a stethoscope,” Wyle shares ahead of Thursday’s fourth episode (available for streaming at 9 EST/PST), which he also wrote. “It’s a strange feeling.”

After a plan for an “ER” reboot involving Wyle and executive producer John Wells fell through in 2020, Wyle was motivated by medical professionals who shared their harrowing experiences from emergency rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. This led him to suggest an alternative approach to Wells and former “ER” writer R. Scott Gemmill, proposing a new narrative rather than a direct reboot.

“I said, ‘Look, I know neither of us want to revive the show. How about exploring a different story?'” Wyle explains. “We understood what we would lose, a cherished legacy we built over 15 years, but at our stage in life, could we delve deeper and reimagine the genre?”

“The Pitt” is structured to reflect real time, similar to Fox’s “24,” following Robby through one intense hour of a 15-hour shift in the ER, highlighting challenges that pull him away from even personal breaks due to emergencies. Despite his capable management of the ER, Robby struggles to cope with the regret surrounding the loss of his mentor during the pandemic.

Is Dr. Robby from ‘The Pitt’ Related to Dr. John Carter from ‘ER’?

Wyle clarifies that the new series intentionally distances itself from his previous character. “Linking them would work against our intentions,” he remarks. “It became a challenge to find ways to differentiate them because I felt a sense of freedom in doing so.”

However, the estate of “ER” creator Michael Crichton filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Television in August, claiming that “The Pitt” is essentially the same show as “ER.”

There are no hidden references or guest appearances from “ER” in the series. Wyle, who has also taken on roles in “Falling Skies” and the “Librarian” films, emphasizes that the two shows share little connection aside from the involvement of Wells, Gemmill, and the hospital setting.

Both series serve to highlight the community that tirelessly supports those in need while often going unrecognized, Wyle adds.

During a media event in November, HBO and Max chief Casey Bloys mentioned that the notion of not being able to set a show in an ER is somewhat unrealistic.

Wyle insists that the creative differences between the two shows are distinct for a reason. “Once we agreed we wouldn’t be recreating ‘ER,’ we all moved on,” he states. “It wasn’t due to legal concerns but rather creative ones. If we can’t do that, why not see what else surfaces?”

Producers even decided against casting a former “ER” paramedic in upcoming episodes to avoid any perception of a connection. “We all have great affection for this actor and it would have been wonderful to collaborate again,” Wyle admits. “But why stir the pot? It’s unfortunate, and if the lawsuit is resolved and we can, then I believe we would explore that possibility.”

What is the Plot of the Episode of ‘The Pitt’ Written by Noah Wyle?

Wyle drew inspiration from a renowned author for Episode 4, which centers on the emotional struggle of two adult children during their father’s last moments. In this scene, Robby shares four significant phrases his cherished mentor taught him for communicating during end-of-life discussions: “I love you,” “Thank you,” “I forgive you,” and “Please forgive me.” This element is inspired by palliative care expert Ira Byock, who discussed these phrases in his 2014 book, “The Four Things That Matter Most.”

“These four modest phrases carry a deep significance,” he reflects. “It was wonderful to interweave them into the story.”

When portraying the poignant farewell between the patient and his grieving children, Wyle turned to memories of his own mother, Marjorie Speer, a former registered orthopedic nurse.

“A moment similar to this occurred between my mother and her brother when they said goodbye to my grandfather,” Wyle reveals. “After she shared that memory with me, I felt compelled to express my gratitude and immediately went back to write the scene. It serves as a tribute to my mother, my uncle, and my grandfather.”