Photo: max

On The Pitt, the new max medical drama, medical students, residents, nurses, and veteran doctors work in the busy emergency room, trying to get through their shift. But when their shift was coming to an end, their was a shooting at a festival, meaning all hands on deck, and the pressure is on. Victoria Javadi, who had the added pressure of working in the same hospital as her mom, soon realizes she can step up to the challenges, and even step up to her mom.

The Pitt stars Noah Wyle (Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch), Tracey Ifeachor (Dr. Collins), Patrick Ball (Dr. Langdon), Supriya Ganesh (Dr. Mohan), Fiona Dourif (Dr. McKay), Taylor Dearden (Dr. King), Isa Briones (Dr. Santos), Gerran Howell (Whitaker), Shabana Azeez (Javadi), Katherine LaNasa (Dana Evans).

I talked to Shabana Azeez, who plays Victoria Javadi, about if it was Javadi’s decision to be a doctor, or her mom, why she finally stood up to her mom, what is Javadi’s “special sauce,” why she’s cool under pressure, and what she hopes for her character between season one and two.

The Pitt is now streaming on max, with new episodes on Thursdays.