Noah Wyle is back in A&E with new drama The Pitt: 'I hope people watch with empathy'

The former ER star is back playing a physician with PTSD in a new US medical drama.

Geoffrey Owens, best known for his role as Elvin on 'The Cosby Show', has joined the cast of HBO’s hit medical drama 'The Pitt' in a guest role as Dr. Clay Barrett. This marks a significant career milestone for Owens, who gained widespread attention in 2018 after being job-shamed for working at Trader Joe’s. He later spoke about the emotional impact of that exposure, noting both the initial pain and the overwhelming support from the public and entertainment industry. Actor-filmmaker Tyler Perry notably reached out at the time and cast Owens in a 10-episode role on 'The Haves and the Have Nots'. Since then, Owens has secured roles in various TV shows including 'NCIS' and 'Blue Bloods', though he admitted in a 2024 interview that making a stable living from acting remains difficult. He also confirmed that he left Trader Joe’s prior to the viral incident due to privacy concerns. Owens’ episode on 'The Pitt' is set to air April 2, along with additions to the cast including Mary McCormack and Sara Wyle.