Ned Brower, an actor and musician, has recently shared his experiences filming a pivotal scene in the latest episode of HBO Max’s series, The Pitt. In an interview with PEOPLE, he reflected on a particularly charged moment that sees his character, nurse Jesse, confronting the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within a hospital setting during the show’s second season.
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The episode in question marks the eleventh of the season, where the arrival of ICE agents turns a routine medical visit into a tense situation. The agents bring a detainee named Pranita, portrayed by Ramona DuBarry, prompting a wave of fear among both staff and patients. While many individuals leave the emergency room in response to the agents’ presence, Brower’s character, Jesse, is detained while attempting to protect Pranita during an escalating confrontation.
Brower, 47, acknowledged the sensitivity of the topic, especially given recent tragic events related to gun violence in Minneapolis. He conveyed his concern that the scene, which was filmed prior to the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, might be cut from the final edit, stating, “I was kind of worried the whole thing would land on the cutting room floor.” Ultimately, he expressed relief that the impactful story was retained, albeit with some scenes adjusted for intensity.
In recounting the filming experience, Brower admitted that certain elements of the violence were toned down compared to what was originally shot. Nevertheless, he praised the production for maintaining the scene’s emotional resonance. “They kept that scene pretty tight, but it still has all the impact in the story,” he explained.
The emotional weight of the scene was felt deeply by both Brower and DuBarry. He noted that she approached her character’s perilous situation with great intensity, while his character faced an unexpected turn of events. The physical demands of the scene were significant, as Brower chose to perform his own stunts, which included wrestling with an actor nearly a foot taller than him, Juju Alexander, who played the ICE agent. “I mean, I was basically fighting with a guy that was 6’6″ and weighed 320 lbs. I’m 6’0″ but this guy just towers over me,” Brower remarked.
Despite the challenges of the scene, Brower was enthusiastic about the intensity it brought to the performance. He described the experience of being physically overpowered, saying, “It was awesome, but I couldn’t walk for three days.”
The storyline has resonated widely with viewers, as Brower has received numerous messages from people sharing their real-life experiences related to similar situations within hospitals. He feels a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to tell such a powerful story. “The amount of people that have reached out with stories from their hospitals where things like [ICE interference] have occurred really shocked me,” he commented.
Brower himself has noticed a growing online movement surrounding his character, including hashtags and discussions about “freeing” nurse Jesse. Colleague Noah Wyle had anticipated this reaction, encouraging Brower by proclaiming, “You’re going to be a hero, man.” The enthusiasm surrounding his role has led to a mugshot of his character circulating online, alongside the hashtag “#freejesse.”
Looking ahead, Brower remains uncertain about the future trajectory of his character in the next season. “I was assured Jesse was not being shipped to El Salvador,” he stated, while he eagerly awaits updates on what lies ahead for him in the storyline.
In addition to his acting career, Brower is also involved in music. He has recently launched an electropop project called Bloodwerk, in collaboration with film and television composer John E. Low. The duo debuted their music video for “The Other Side,” directed by renowned horror filmmaker Leigh Whannell.
For fans of The Pitt, this second season continues to be available for streaming on HBO Max, where viewers can catch Brower’s compelling performance and the provocative themes explored in the series.