Here’s why beloved ‘The Pitt’ star Tracy Ifeachor isn’t returning for season two 

The Pitt has been one of the breakout television hits of 2025 so far, but one of the stars Tracy Ifeachor will not return for season two – read on to find out why.

The show follows Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch and his emergency room team at Pittsburgh’s Mercy Hospital as they navigate a hectic 15-hour shift in real time, tackling overdoses, heart attacks, and personal struggles amidst a strained healthcare system.

The show stars Noah Wyle (ER) as the weathered yet sharp Dr. Robby, with supporting cast members including Shanley Caswell as intern Chloe, Vinny DeGennaro as orderly Santos, and veterans like Debra Monk as nurse Nancy.

Created by John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill – both of ER fame – and directed by Wells for the pilot, the series has been largely praised by critics for its relentless pacing and authenticity. It currently holds a score of 95 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews.

The 15 episodes of season one aired from January to April this year on HBO Max in the US, but UK viewers have not yet been able to watch it anywhere legally. In February, it was recommissioned for a second season, which is scheduled to air in January 2026.

Here’s why beloved The Pitt star Tracy Ifeachor isn’t returning for season two

Despite the news of the show’s return for a second season, many fans have been dismayed to learn that Ifeachor’s Dr. Heather Collins would not be coming back for the new episodes.

Rumours started to circulate online that Ifeachor might have been fired from the show ahead of season two, which is filming now.

However, in a new interview, Noah Wyle has confirmed the reason that she is no longer part of the show is purely because of the narrative direction of season two. The new episodes will be set after a short time-jump and it did not allow for Dr. Collins to be part of the story anymore.

“I mean, we’ve all been sort of amused by the speculation about what everybody thinks might be a reason,” Wyle told Deadline Hollywood. “But truthfully, we loved the actress. We enjoyed having her with us very much. She’s gotten really big and we will miss her.”

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“What a blessing to be a part of this first and foundational season of #ThePitt on [HBO Max]. It was an absolute privilege to play Dr. Heather Collins in such a groundbreaking season and piece. Thank you to everyone who has watched & supported Season 1 & shared their stories with me,” Ifeachor wrote in an Instagram post before news of her departure was announced.

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