While fans of “E.R.” may find solace in the new hit medical drama “The Pitt,” which features much of the same talent behind the previous show, including lead Noah Wyle, the one piece that differentiates the two is the use of A-list actors for guest stars. Everyone from Red Buttons to Kristen Dunst guest-starred in “E.R.” at one point, but “The Pitt” instead chooses to focus primarily on its cast of doctors and nurses. However, that changed with this past week’s Episode 14, as “The Pitt” saw legendary character actor Brad Dourif appear as father to Dr. Cassie McKay. To add a special wrinkle to the proceedings, Dourif is the actual father of the actress who plays McKay, Fiona Dourif.
“My suspicion is that it was Noah Wyle’s idea,” said the younger Dourif in a recent interview with Variety. “He has talked to me about my dad’s career in great detail before, so I know there needed to be a device to get Harrison home and it was probably thrown out in the writers’ room as a very cool idea.”
Though known for voicing the demonic doll Chucky in the popular horror franchise of the same name, the elder Dourif has had some experience performing in the medical field before. One of his first roles was in Miloš Foreman’s Oscar-sweeping adaptation of Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in which he played the pivotal role of Billy Bibbet. Later in life, Dourif also played a doctor himself on the western HBO TV series “Deadwood,” though practicing procedures in the late 1800s differs greatly from the modern day pressures his daughter must perform.
Though their exchange in Episode 14 was brief, Fiona was extremely thankful to get to share this moment with her father, describing it as “a gift, really, and a very tender moment to shoot.” For her, it spoke to the connection she was already feeling with McKay as someone who felt like an actual part of her.
“This person is so close to actually Fiona that it gives me confidence, but also it is kind of scary because you either like me or you don’t. There is nowhere to really hide. And then to bring my actual father into the context of my father, we just performed the scene that very much felt like it was just Brad talking to Fiona,” said Dourif. “The whole thing and really this whole show has felt surreal. I didn’t expect it to happen. I feel very lucky.”
And though she isn’t sure if Wyle was actually responsible for bringing her father into the fray of “The Pitt,” no matter what, she still sees him as “very gracious” and “an incredible team leader.”
The Season 1 finale of “The Pitt” streams Thursday, April 10 on Max.
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