Actor Patrick Ball is experiencing a whirlwind year, transitioning from the popular series The Pitt to his Broadway debut in the dark comedy Becky Shaw. He is also preparing to begin filming the third season of The Pitt in summer 2026.

Finding Nuance in Storytelling

“Anything I do — whether it be ‘The Pitt’ or ‘Hamlet,’ whether it be ‘Becky Shaw’ — I look for stories where there isn’t a clear good guy-bad guy dynamic,” Ball explains. His current role is in Becky Shaw, a play that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2009. The play delves into the complex power dynamics that emerge after a blind date.

A Complicated Family Dynamic

Ball stars as the husband of a woman grieving her father, and his character introduces his new coworker, Becky Shaw, into their already complicated lives. “Each one of these characters are equally flawed and damaged — and also equally justifiable and redeemable,” Ball says. He was particularly drawn to the show’s exploration of overt and covert power dynamics.

“I thought that was really interesting, especially this year where we’ve had a lot of conversations around the ‘performative male.’ The guy that presents as, ‘I’m your best friend. I’m not like the other guys,’” Ball adds. “But if you look through the other eye, you’re like, oh wait — this guy is arguably more manipulative than the guy coming in the room, beating his chest, and saying, ‘I’m gonna tell you what to do.’”

Balancing 'Becky Shaw' and 'The Pitt'

Ball began rehearsals for Becky Shaw immediately after wrapping production on the second season of The Pitt. The play officially opens on Monday and will run through June 14. “I will go back to Season Three, literally the day after ‘Becky Shaw.’ It’s all gas, no breaks right now,” he states.

Last year, Ball starred in a production of Hamlet in Los Angeles between seasons of The Pitt. Despite a demanding schedule, he makes time to connect with audiences at the stage door after each performance. “It’s a wild time,” he says. “For the most part, my experience of the fandom is just through my phone, and as soon as I put it down, it goes away. But whenever I’m at a theater and I walk out the stage door, I get to actually see people that are engaging with my work and hear from them.”

The Rise of 'The Pitt'

Ball’s recent success is largely attributed to the rapid popularity of The Pitt, where he portrays a senior ER resident returning to work after overcoming a painkiller addiction. This role marked his second onscreen credit, following a guest appearance on Law & Order.

“It was so special to spend eight months filming, not having any idea as to what was coming, or whether this was gonna work, or whether anybody was gonna watch the show,” he reflects on the first season. “And then to have the world all of a sudden see us and pay attention, and to go through that together as a cast, was just such a one-in-a-million experience.”

The stakes felt higher heading into the second season, with the cast now recognized by a wider audience. “It can feel like a lot of pressure to not disappoint people,” he admits, adding that he believes the writers have successfully navigated audience expectations. The season finale aired on April 13, and Ball is watching the final edit along with viewers.

A Personal Connection to His Role

Ball draws a personal connection to his character in The Pitt, as both of his parents worked in emergency medicine. He describes this as a “gift from the universe,” providing him with a new perspective on their experiences. Growing up in North Carolina, Ball was a “hyperactive” child who struggled with focus until he discovered theater.

He initially studied broadcast journalism in college but was drawn into the theater department by a friend. A small cameo led to a lead role in a George Bernard Shaw play, marking a turning point in his life. After graduating from Yale’s MFA drama program, he found himself cast in The Pitt and has enjoyed returning to New York City. “I love Brooklyn, I love being back on the subway. There is an energetic flow to New York,” he says. “You can be one among many and just in the flow of life in a way that you just don’t experience anywhere else in the world.”