The Pitt, the upcoming Max medical series starring formerERlead Noah Wyle, is now the subject of a lawsuit alleging it is an unauthorizedERreboot. Throughout all15 seasons of the ground-breaking dramaER, Wyle played Dr. John Carter, a medical student who eventually became one of the most respected doctors at County General Hospital. Wyle made headlines earlier this year when it was announced he would be returning to the genre withThe Pitt,which also comes fromERproducers John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill.
Now, however,The Pittis facing some trouble. PerVariety,Sherri Crichton, the widow of originalERcreator Michael Crichton, is suing Warner Bros. TV, Wells, Gemmill, and Wyle formoving forward withThe Pitt, which she alleges is a copy of the prior show, without approval from the Crichton estate. In part, the official complaint reads:
‘The Pitt’ is ‘ER. ‘It’s not like ‘ER.’ It’s not kind of ‘ER.’ It’s not sort of ‘ER.’ It is ‘ER’ with the exact same executive producer, writer, star, production companies, studio and network as the planned ‘ER’ reboot.
Rather than afford Crichton the ‘created by’ credit he deserved, Defendants would pretend their reboot was not his creation at all, thereby enriching themselves to the tune of millions of dollars — potentially hundreds of millions or several billion dollars in success — and depriving Crichton’s heirs of their rightful share.
Following the news of the lawsuit, Warner Bros. TV issued this statement toVariety:
The lawsuit filed by the Crichton Estate is baseless, as ‘The Pitt’ is a new and original show. Any suggestion otherwise is false, and Warner Bros. Television intends to vigorously defend against these meritless claims.
Breaking Down The Lawsuit Against The Pitt
Is The Pitt Actually An ER Reboot?
ER, a well-regarded drama that starred thelikes of George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Maura Tierney, and Angela Bassett, ended after 15 seasons in 2009. As Wyle himself has said,he began talking to Wells about a potentialERrebootback in 2020, spurred by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the actor added that while they developed a proper concept, negotiations later fell apart. In March 2024,The Pittwas officially given a series order at Max, with Wyle leading the cast and Wells and Gemmill on board as producers.
Trust Me, The 2020s Reboot Of ER Was A Truly Terrible Idea
As much as I love ER, the concept of a modern-day 2020s revival was an awful idea that could have ruined the medical drama’s reputation forever.
The Pittis described as an in-depth look at the difficulties facing medical professionals in today’s world. UnlikeER, which was set in Chicago, the upcoming show will be centered on a Pittsburgh hospital. Nevertheless, Sherri Crichton’s suit alleges that,The Pittis in fact theERreboot that Wells and Wyle initially discussed in 2020. Crichton claims that Wells contacted her in 2020 and said Warner Bros. would soon be announcing anERreboot. However, Crichton asserted her late husband’s estate’s “frozen rights” to approve any potential revival.
Beyond Wyle,The Pittdoes not feature any additionalERcast members, and it is said to have a different tone.
Sherri Crichton was told Michael would receive a “created by” credit, and that his estate would be paid. However, this offer was later rescinded, and, as Wyle himself alluded to, talks fell apart. The lawsuit is looking foran injunction to prevent Warner Bros. from violating Crichton’s contract, as well as additional damages.
Whether the Crichton estate will prevail remains to be seen, as it isn’t entirely clear how similarThe Pitttruly is toER. Presumably, Warner Bros. TV and the creatives behind the new show, which is expected to premiere next year, will mount a forceful defense thatThe Pittis an entirely separate show fromER.However, it is notable that Wyle’s own comments about a potentialERreboot partially support Sherri Crichton’s claims, asthat could complicate mattersfor the defendants.
ER
Cast
In Cook County General Hospital’s emergency department, the doctors and nurses tackle every patient’s medical puzzles, all while dealing with the challenges in their personal and professional lives.
The Pitt
The Pitt is a gripping drama set in Pittsburgh’s Trauma Medical Center, where dedicated staff tirelessly work to save lives in a busy and underfunded emergency department. Released in 2025, the series highlights the challenges and relentless efforts of medical professionals in a high-pressure environment.
