Katherine LaNasa, an Emmy-winning actress, has recently shared insights into her self-care routine, designed to help her decompress after weeks of filming the HBO Max medical drama, The Pitt. At the Gracie Awards on May 19, the 59-year-old actress provided a glimpse into the emotional challenges that came with portraying her character, charge nurse Dana Evans.
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LaNasa revealed that playing Dana, particularly in the first season of the series, was a formidable task. “My character got punched last year in season 1,” she recalled, noting the profound crisis of faith she experienced while portraying this role. The demands of the character weighed heavily on her, prompting LaNasa to seek solace during her downtime.
To cope with the intensity of her performance, LaNasa turned to spa treatments as a source of relaxation. “I went to the spa a lot, whenever I could, just to kind of, like, chill,” she revealed. The dedicated actress emphasised the importance of taking time for herself, admitting that she required solitude and regenerative moments to return to her usual self.
Having completed the filming of the second season, LaNasa indicated that she had acclimatised to the rigours of her role. She highlighted her preferred form of relaxation: a rigorous deep-tissue massage. With a touch of humour, she mentioned that her masseuse’s technique can feel almost painful, quipping that they “mostly almost murder” her during the session.
LaNasa’s commitment to her craft has been rewarded; she received her first Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work on The Pitt last year. In a prior interview, she reflected on how her Emmy win shifted her perspective as she approached the second season. “In season 1, I shined from the back,” she explained, acknowledging that she didn’t fully appreciate her impact initially. Now, she is eager to embrace a more prominent role within the cast dynamics.
The actress is also thoughtful about tackling the anxiety that comes with such recognition. Her approach is straightforward: “really just do the work” and “know your lines.” This mindset helps to alleviate some of the pressures associated with stepping into a more central role.
The Pitt, which chronicles the bustling lives of medical professionals navigating the challenges of an overstretched hospital in Pittsburgh, has garnered attention for its gripping storytelling and character development. The series was confirmed for a third season in early January 2026, just before the premiere of its second season. Star and executive producer Noah Wyle teased exciting developments for the upcoming series, stating, “It’s set in early November, just before the holidays, ushering in a whole new set of emergencies and confrontations and complications.”
As LaNasa continues her journey in The Pitt, her experiences shed light on the importance of self-care in managing the emotional demands of acting. Through her candid reflections, she highlights not only the rigours of performance but also the necessity of finding balance, making her story relatable to both fellow actors and the wider audience.