From wild mom in ER to fearless nurse in The Pitt — Katherine LaNasa doesn’t remember working with Noah Wyle
Before Katherine LaNasa became the tough and beloved charge nurse Dana Evans in The Pitt, she had already entered the world of medical dramas — specifically, the iconic NBC series ER. But in a surprising twist, LaNasa recently revealed that she doesn’t remember crossing paths with Noah Wyle, one of ER’s most recognized stars, despite technically appearing in the same universe two decades ago.
Yes, the two actors are now co-starring in The Pitt, the intense, emotionally raw medical drama on Max that’s been lauded for its realistic portrayal of America’s broken healthcare system. But long before this, LaNasa appeared in Season 9 of ER in a guest role that fans still recall — even if she doesn’t.
Back in 2003, LaNasa played Janet Wilco in the episode “Walk Like a Man” — a bold, sexually adventurous single mother who shares a steamy moment with Dr. Luka Kovac (played by Goran Visnjic) in a hospital storage closet. The scene, equal parts awkward and audacious, left a lasting impression on ER’s millions of viewers. But for LaNasa? Not so much.
In a candid interview with TV Line, she admitted:
“I don’t even think I met Noah [at the time].”
It’s the kind of confession that makes longtime TV fans do a double take. How could she forget working alongside one of the series’ leads? Wyle starred as Dr. John Carter for over 250 episodes and was practically the face of ER throughout its prime.
LaNasa added that she does remember meeting Maura Tierney, who played Dr. Abby Lockhart:
“She had done NewsRadio with Vicki Lewis, and I was on this NBC show Three Sisters with Vicki, so we had that connection.”
So yes, she recalls sitcom trivia and side conversations — but not Noah Wyle. Fortunately, the chemistry is very much alive today, as the two actors share the screen in The Pitt, now heading into its second season after a strong critical and fan reception.
Noah Wyle plays Dr. Robby, a battle-hardened ER physician grappling with PTSD and the unrelenting chaos of 15-hour emergency shifts. LaNasa, as charge nurse Dana Evans, holds the floor together, anchoring a team of exhausted but committed healthcare professionals navigating understaffed halls, mass shootings, medical racism, and moral burnout.
The two now work closely together — not just as actors, but as creatives. Wyle also serves as executive producer on The Pitt, and has hinted that more ER veterans could make cameos in upcoming episodes.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Wyle said:
“We all do keep in touch. The chance to work together again is something we always look forward to.”
He even teased a real-life reunion with George Clooney — who played fan-favorite Dr. Doug Ross in the early seasons of ER:
“I’m about to go to New York in a couple of weeks and cheer on Mr. Clooney in his Broadway debut.”
Could this friendly reunion turn into a screen reunion? With The Pitt growing in popularity, and with its second season scheduled for January 2026, it’s entirely possible that more former castmates from the ER era may check in at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center — though maybe they’ll need to reintroduce themselves to Katherine LaNasa.
For now, fans can enjoy the irony that a woman who once caused a stir with a scandalous storage room scene on ER doesn’t even remember the guy who kept the ER running for a decade. But hey — television moves fast. And as The Pitt proves, sometimes the most compelling drama happens when the past sneaks up on you in scrubs.