If awards dictate what is actually the best in any art form, then the best show on TV is HBO Max’s The Pitt. It won three Emmy Awards in its first season, including for Outstanding Drama Series, and is a major frontrunner for more recognition after a compelling Season 2. After the first season culminated in Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) breaking down, the show’s return took it a step further, as Dr. Robby grappled with suicidal ideation. Thankfully, Season 2 culminated on a note of hope for The Pitt‘s lead character.
However, Season 2 also had its share of tragedy, most prominently with the heartbreaking loss of ER regular Louie Cloverfield (Ernest Harden Jr.). Just as devastating was the death of patient Roxie Hamler in the last hours of her cancer journey — and now, the actor behind that incredible performance is taking things into her own hands for potential Emmy consideration.
Brittany Allen’s Roxie Hamler Is the Standout of ‘The Pitt’ Season 2
At its core, The Pitt is about treating patients. With so many characters coming and going from the ER, very few remain the focus for long. Some, however, do make a tremendous impact, like Season 2’s Roxie Hamler (Brittany Allen). Viewers first meet her when she’s brought into the Pitt after a seizure at home that causes her to fall and injure her leg. Normally, this would be treatable, but Roxie’s body is severely weakened by advanced lung cancer.
Roxie’s introduction is accompanied by the uncomfortable realization that she may never leave the hospital, despite the optimism of her husband, Paul (Taylor Handley). With her pain only increasing by the hour, Roxie requests that her ER stay be extended. Instead of The Pitt spending only one episode with her, she becomes a recurring character as her condition worsens, with Dr. Cassie McKay (Fiona Dourif) a constant presence by her bedside.
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Before the end of Season 2, Roxie is gone, but her death happens quite unexpectedly. Given the amount of pain her patient is in, McKay goes to Robby, who agrees to let her order more morphine. Both he and McKay know that administering a higher dose could kill Roxie, but for Robby, the potential legal consequences outweigh the benefits of palliative care, which can often mean allowing someone to die with dignity. When Roxie does ultimately pass, her death happens offscreen; neither the audience nor Cassie is present to witness the moment. All that’s left is to mourn the loss.
Brittany Allen Deserves an Emmy for ‘The Pitt’ Season 2
Instead of portraying Roxie as overly emotional or hysterical, Allen delivers a performance rooted in quiet strength and acceptance. Despite resigning herself to her circumstances, Roxie is visibly concerned about how her family will cope with losing her. She doesn’t want to miss out on more life with them, but accepts that she will. It’s a real and raw portrayal that manages to be equally gut-wrenching — and certainly deserves Emmy attention.
While HBO didn’t submit Allen for Emmy consideration, the actress decided to take things into her own hands by running her own FYC campaign. To be nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, Allen would’ve needed to appear in the majority of The Pitt Season 2, but her six-episode arc enabled her eligibility for the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series category, per her interview with Variety:
“When I saw that they just had her pass away off camera, first of all, I thought that was a beautiful decision creatively. And then it opened the door for me to be eligible, which was, oh my God, exciting.”
This isn’t the first time Allen has submitted herself for television awards recognition; in 2011, she campaigned for her performance on All My Children for the Daytime Emmy category of Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series — and won! The Pitt is all but confirmed to be a major awards contender after Season 2, and will likely earn nominations in many of the same Emmy categories as last year. Yet if Allen’s self-submission proves anything, it’s that her unforgettable performance as Roxie Hamler deserves to be given the same consideration as previous winners like Wyle and LaNasa.
