Warner Bros. TV denies Michael Crichton’s widow's claim that new show the pit is a copy of ER

Warner Bros. TV defends its new show "The Pitt," denying claims from Michael Crichton’s widow that it copies "ER."

Warner Bros. TV is pushing back against a lawsuit filed by the widow of Michael Crichton, which accuses the studio’s upcoming medical drama The Pitt of being an ER ripoff. In a statement, Warner Bros. called the claims “baseless,” asserting that The Pitt is a "new and original show."

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday by the Crichton Estate, alleges that The Pitt was conceived by executive producer John Wells and star Noah Wyle after their plans to reboot ER were blocked by the Crichton Estate. According to the lawsuit, “The Pitt is ER with the exact same executive producer, writer, star, production companies, studio, and network.”

Warner Bros. strongly disagrees, highlighting that while The Pitt shares some similarities with ER—both are medical dramas set in emergency rooms and involve Wells and Wyle—the new show takes a distinctly different approach. Set in Pittsburgh rather than Chicago, The Pitt promises a unique tone, theme, and story structure, distancing itself from the iconic ER series.

Speaking to Variety, Wells explained that moving the show to a streaming platform allows for a more “adult” and realistic portrayal of hospital life, unlike what was possible on broadcast television. The show’s 15-episode season on Max will explore the post-COVID realities of modern-day hospitals, offering a fresh take on the medical procedural genre.

Despite the legal battle, The Pitt is moving forward with an ensemble cast including Tracy Ifeachor, Fiona Dourif, and Isa Briones. The show is poised to offer a “sophisticated” and visually compelling narrative when it debuts.