QVC Group, which consists of home shopping TV brands HSN and QVC, is making big moves behind the scenes.

According to an annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, April 14, the company revealed that it intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas after reaching a restructuring agreement with creditors.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chapter 11 allows a company to continue operating while it is restructured. As a result, no immediate changes are expected for QVC and HSN shoppers.

“Today marks a big step for us as we shape the future of live social shopping,” QVC and HSN said via Instagram on Thursday, April 16. “QVC Group is taking action to strengthen our company for the long term, and we’re determined to come out of this even stronger — so we can keep bringing you innovative products, compelling content & unforgettable moments. We’re operating as usual across all our channels & platforms.”

Related: QVC’s Most Memorable Hosts: Where Are They Now?

Some QVC shoppers can’t help but make a connection with some of the network’s products — and hosts. Over the years, viewers have developed close bonds with longtime program hosts who have a gift of selling everything from fashion and beauty products to food and electronics. Every so often, some of the program hosts decide […]

The networks also encouraged shoppers to learn more about the restructuring process online.

QVC, which stands for “Quality, Value and Convenience,” was founded in 1986 by Joseph Myron Segel. The network has thousands of items consistently available on-air and online in various categories, including jewelry, fashion, beauty, electronics, kitchen and home.

Both HSN and QVC attract several celebrities and their brands, such as Jennie Garth, Giuliana Rancic, Curtis Stone and Stacy London.

In March 2025, QVC Group announced they were laying off approximately 900 staffers as they plotted a shift to live shopping on social platforms like TikTok.

“Linear TV is a highly engaging, highly profitable platform and it remains our cornerstone. However, as traditional TV declines and a mix of video platforms takes a greater share of customer attention, we must hurry our expansion beyond TV to find growth,” the company wrote in its annual report to shareholders at the time. “We are fundamentally redefining who we are as a company and the role we play for our customers and in retail. We enter this next phase of our turnaround with rigor and excitement.”

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In June 2025, HSN filmed its final live broadcast in Florida before moving its studios to Pennsylvania, where QVC is based.

Three months later, six talented women joined HSN as new program hosts after several familiar faces said farewell to the network.

“Seeing the genuine excitement and commitment from our new hosts to not only learn more about the HSN brand but to also forge relationships directly with our customers has been impressive to see,” QVC and HSN executive Stacy Bowe gushed to Us in December 2025. “They are eager to help bring the stories to life behind the products they share in an authentic and trustworthy manner that resonates with our customers. Getting to watch our seasoned hosts take them under their wings to share their personal knowledge and experience has been a joy to see.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s visit to Australia has sparked debate, with critics questioning its purpose and royal-like optics despite being privately funded.

While their team says the trip focuses on community impact, the mix of charitable engagements and paid appearances has drawn scrutiny.

The visit also comes amid ongoing tensions with Prince William and King Charles III, following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as working royals in 2020.

‘Unhappy’ Palace Claims Surface As Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Australia Visit Triggers Royal Tour Debate

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Melbourne earlier this week, marking their first trip. Unlike that earlier tour, this four-day trip is privately funded, with the couple traveling commercially from Los Angeles.

Some royal commentators have taken issue with the optics. Kinsey Schofield argued that the “palace is unhappy about these rent-a-royal tours because it blatantly disregards the late queen’s very specific instruction that there can be no half-in, half-out for the Sussexes,” suggesting it gives the impression of maintaining royal status while operating independently.

“The purpose of the Australian tour is monetary, but it is also to look like royals because the world has rejected Harry and Meghan as reality stars and podcasters,” Schofield added, per Fox News Digital. “Their relevance remains through their proximity to the British Royal family. The royal family thinks it’s disrespectful.”

Similarly, Helena Chard described the trip as one that promotes the Sussex brand while “undermining the very institution that gave them the platform.”

Royal Author The Sussexes Aussie Tour Has Caused ‘Confusion’

Royal author Robert Hardman noted that the visit may leave palace aides uncertain about its intent, given the lack of formal ties.

“I’m sure [Buckingham Palace] would prefer that Harry and Meghan weren’t going, but there’s not a lot they can do about it,” he said ahead of their journey.

Hardman added, “They have no control. There will undoubtedly be a sense of confusion about what Harry and Meghan are there for … this trip may stick in the gullet of the palace.”

Prince Harry And Meghan Insists Their Trip Is Purely For Work And Not A Royal Tour

Despite the criticism, the Sussexes’ team insists the trip is centered on meaningful work.

According to their spokesperson, the “visit prioritizes listening, learning, and supporting communities rather than promotion.”

Their schedule reflects a mix of philanthropic and commercial engagements. Harry is set to deliver a keynote speech at a mental health summit, while Meghan will headline a women-focused retreat in Sydney.

At the same time, Harry and Meghan have also carried out several community-focused engagements. They visited Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, spent time with a women’s shelter, and connected with a veterans’ arts group.

Harry made a stop at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and both are expected to participate in an Invictus-related sailing event. The Invictus Games, founded by Harry in 2014, remains a key part of his public work supporting wounded service members.

Critics Question Sussexes’ Australia Trip As Prince William Rift And Palace Tensions Resurface

Some critics argue that combining charitable appearances with paid engagements creates mixed messaging. Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that while the causes themselves are worthwhile, the presentation is “similar, in many ways, to an actual royal tour,” without formal backing.

The trip also comes amid ongoing reports of strained relations within the royal family. Harry and Prince William are believed to be out of contact, while communication with King Charles III is said to be limited.

Fitzwilliams suggested that William would “almost certainly oppose the couple’s attempt to ease themselves back into some sort of relationship with the royal family as he doesn’t trust them.”

He added that the high-profile nature of the visit, taking place in one of the King’s realms, is “bound to concern the palace” due to the global attention it’s attracting.

Prince Harry Reflects On Princess Diana’s Death As Meghan Markle Speaks Out On Online Abuse At Melbourne Summit

Amid the criticism, Harry used the trip to reflect on more personal themes. Speaking at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, he opened up about the lasting impact of losing his mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 12.

He recalled resisting the role expected of him in the years that followed, saying he struggled to accept a path he associated with her death.

Over time, however, he said his perspective changed, and he began to see his position as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. He has often linked that early loss to his strong desire to protect his wife, Meghan, and their children from intense public scrutiny.

Meghan also spoke candidly at the event, addressing the toll of online abuse. She said she had faced years of relentless criticism and harassment, describing herself as “the most trolled person in the entire world, man or woman” at one point. Despite that, she emphasized her resilience, telling the audience, “I’m still here.”

The casting of James Bond is one of the most highly debated subjects among cinephiles, as the character has proven to be among the most long-lasting screen protagonists of all-time. Although Daniel Craig has proven himself to be one of the best actors to ever play 007, it was not an easily-won role, as many young stars were in the fray to inherit the role from Pierce Brosnan after he announced that he would not be returning to make another sequel, after Die Another Day received negative reviews from lifelong Bond fans. A leaked audition tape showed Henry Cavill making a case for himself to play Bond in Casino Royale, but it worked out in everyone’s favor that he did not get the part.

Henry Cavill Wasn’t the Right Fit for ‘Casino Royale’

Cavill was ultimately too young to play Bond, as he was only 22 at the time he auditioned for Casino Royale. While Casino Royale is an adaptation of the first novel in Ian Fleming’s series and is based on the first mission that Bond goes on, it is still established that he is a veteran secret agent who has already earned his license to kill, and earned the respect of M (Judi Dench). While it was Craig’s relative youthfulness that made his interpretation of Bond more empathetic than previous versions, he had already proven himself to be a capable action hero in films like Layer Cake and Munich. One of the best aspects of Bond is that the character is of an ambiguous age; while Roger Moore had grown far too old to play Bond at the end of his run of films, it also would not work to have a fresh-faced 007 who did not look like he had enough worldly experience.

While he does do a good job at delivering some of the most iconic lines that Bond is known for, Cavill’s audition did not indicate that he had a new take on the character. Cavill certainly made a solid case that he could give a performance similar to that of Sean Connery or Timothy Dalton, but Casino Royale was pitched as a much darker, more intense Bond film that stripped away the superficiality of the Brosnan films in favor of a far grittier story that more closely resembled the original source material. Cavill’s optimistic, snarky approach to the role would not have congealed with the direction that Bond goes in Casino Royale, as he starts off as a very cynical character who only begins to open up after the death of Vesper Lyn (Eva Green) shatters his heart. While it is possible that Cavill could have delved into these complexities after he had gained some experience, he would not have suited the role well had he been cast in 2005.

Cavill Will Probably Never Play James Bond

Image via Warner Bros.

Although he remains a popular choice among fans now that Craig has retired from the role following the release of No Time To Die, Cavill might be too old to play Bond, as he is already 41. Given that Barbara Broccoli has sold her rights of the franchise to Amazon and new director Denis Villeneuve will likely want a younger actor that can feasibly appear in multiple films without aging out of the part, it is far more likely that a younger actor is cast. Cavill is also far too famous to play the role, as he is already widely recognized for his roles in The Witcher and as Superman in the DCEU. The Bond series works best when the main actor is less established at the time they are cast, as the audience does not have any baggage that they bring in when they sit down to see the film.

Despite the fact that a future playing Bond is not in the cards, Cavill has expressed his desire to join the franchise even though he wouldn’t take the title role. Those disappointed that he never got the chance to play 007 should definitely check out The Man From U.N.C.L.E., a remake of the classic television series of the same name in which Cavill plays the American spy Napoleon Solo. Despite the film’s disappointing box office results, Cavill did team up with director Guy Ritchie once more on the adventure film The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and will next be seen in his action thriller In the Grey. He’ll never be Bond, but that doesn’t mean Cavill is done creating iconic characters.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have reportedly asked their friends and family for a special gift as they plan for their highly anticipated wedding.

The “Bad Blood” singer is also said to be using a wedding planner to ensure the day goes smoothly, even though “most of the ideas are hers.”

The new report comes amid claims that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have already sent out save-the-dates, with the event slated for the first week in July.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Make A Special Wedding Gift Request From Guests

Swift and Kelce have made a special request from friends and family as their wedding day draws near.

Sources claim the pop star and NFL footballer have told them that they don’t want any gift as they already have enough.

“They don’t need anything,” an insider said per reports. “Between them, they have more than enough. So they decided — why not use this moment to help others?”

Instead of gifting them on their special day, the lovebirds want guests to donate to a curated list of charities they’ve already sent them.

“They’ve chosen causes that truly matter to them,” the source continued. “Guests are being asked to donate instead of buying gifts.”

The Singer Is Known For Always Being ‘Incredibly Generous’

Swift is reportedly worth over a billion dollars and is quite known for her philanthropic efforts.

In the past, she donated handsomely in books to her local library, offered a lucky fan some help in paying their student loans, and also donated to an animal foundation.

“This is the Taylor people know and love,” the insider told journalist Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop.

“She’s always been incredibly generous — quietly donating, supporting fans, helping people behind the scenes,” the source added.

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Reportedly Plan To Extend Generosity To Workers At Their Wedding

According to another insider, Swift and Kelce’s generosity would also extend to workers who serve on their wedding day.

“Staff working the wedding can expect a very big bonus,” the source shared. “Taylor never forgets the people who make things happen.”

“She’s built a reputation for taking care of people,” the insider noted. “From tour crews to everyday fans, she shows up in a real way.”

Unsurprisingly, guests are in on it and wouldn’t mind donating to the cause.

“People love this idea,” the source said. “It feels meaningful, intentional — and completely authentic to her.”

The Pop Star Has Been In The Driver’s Seat When It Comes To The Planning Of Her Wedding To Travis Kelce

Swift and Kelce were reportedly eyeing Rhide Island as the destination for their wedding day, but reports suggest the event will now take place in New York City over the 4th of July weekend.

Although she’s got an event planner helping out with preparations, reports suggest the “Anti Hero” singer has been actively involved in the plans. In fact, she and Kelce have reportedly been making the decisions as a unit and have cut off their parents altogether.

“Both sets of parents are all really happy and think getting married is the right thing for them to do because they are old-school and wanted him to put a ring on Taylor’s finger,” a source shared with the Daily Mail. “But none of them are involved in the wedding planning, although surprisingly, Travis is.”

The insider added, “Taylor’s not the official wedding planner, but most of the ideas are hers. She’s used to taking control. This will be her big day, and along with Travis, she’ll be the mastermind. She literally runs everything past him. If they don’t agree on something, they scrap it.”

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Familes Have Grown Closer To Each Other

Meanwhile, Swift and Kelce’s family have gotten closer in the buildup to the lovebirds’ special day.

A source told the Daily Mail that Swift’s mum, Andrea, and Kelce’s mom, Donna, have been talking with each other, and together with the singer, they all keep in touch, “talking about everyday things, like recipes or a TV show recommendation or plans to hang out. They’re definitely becoming great friends.”

“Taylor and Travis are big on family, so when they can have any functions, they want their parents there, and they love it,” another source shared. “Family events are often around the holidays, or when they’re all at a game, they will often go back to the house and eat together.”

The insider added, “They will continue the family time when they can. They don’t do it every time, because sometimes Travis just wants to go home and relax.”

The right footwear is key to staying comfortable during hot, sunny days. You want something breathable and supportive that is still stylish, and Birkenstock sandals check all of those boxes. Jessica Alba proves that the popular sandals can be worn anywhere (and stars like Taylor Swift seem to agree). The best part? This is a celeb-loved style that’s affordable enough to snag for yourself.

Alba was spotted wearing her Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor Slides while getting some quality beach time in Miami, Florida. The actress kept her look super casual, pairing the sandals with a black and white bikini and sarong. Fortunately for Us, the actress’ exact footwear was easy to find — the same pair is available on Nordstrom.

Get the Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor Slides for $118 at Nordstrom! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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Jessica Alba sets the standard for California rich mom style. Her secret? The right shoes. Alba wears sporty-chic sneakers nonstop, as seen from her latest Adidas pick. The sneakers lend an effortlessly cool aesthetic, and get this: They’re secretly on sale at Nordstrom. Alba was spotted in Beverly Hills wearing Adidas Gazelle Bold Platform Sneakers […]

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These Birkenstock slides are definitely worth the splurge. The brand’s cork footbed is a classic for a reason — the contoured shape offers a snug fit around the foot, with arch support to keep you extra comfortable. While they have a nice heavy-duty feel, they’re still breathable enough to keep your feet cool even when spending the day out in the sun.

While Birkenstocks are generally pretty casual shoes, these slides are made from a leather-like material that looks sleek and stylish. The buckles are also functional, so you can adjust the fit as needed.

And celebrities aren’t the only fans of these sandals. One Nordstrom shopper titled their review, “Birkenstocks never disappoint,” while another noted that they are “very comfortable, especially if you have arch issues.”

“I get the hype!” another shopper titled their review. They added, “For years I have been hesitant to spend this kind of money for sandals, but I have to say that they are worth every penny and I can’t wait to get another pair.”

It’s safe to say that Birkenstocks will never go out of style, so once you buy these, you can wear them again and again. Pair them with a swimsuit and cover-up like Alba, or wear them out for the day with jeans or a sundress. It’s hard to go wrong with this classic pair.

Get the Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor Slides for $118 at Nordstrom! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change. 

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Gwyneth Paltrow’s 2026 Oscars look was, in one word, unreal. However, before owning the red carpet, the Goop founder was dressed comfortably to get ready for Hollywood’s biggest night. That comfy outfit included popular slip-on sandals, but with a rather hefty price tag, we found a more affordable style that nails the look. Paltrow took […]

Even though actress Lena Dunham made some serious accusations against Adam Driver, she still wants her fans to read what she had to say “in context.” The “Girls” creator accused her co-star, who played her on-screen love interest for six seasons, of allegedly throwing a chair, punching a hole in the wall of his trailer, and screaming in her face when they were rehearsing lines. She also alleged that the two almost crossed a boundary in their relationship one month before he got engaged to his now-wife, Joanne Tucker.

Lena Dunham Addresses Her Complicated Relationship With Adam Driver

While promoting her new memoir, “Famesick,” Dunham appeared on “Today With Jenna & Sheinelle” in order to address the accusations that she made about her former co-star.

“You were his boss. You were the director of this television series,” Jenna Bush Hager said, as per Entertainment Weekly. “[You wrote about] moments where there was violence or anger, moments where there could have been romantic feelings. How does it sit with you now?”

Dunham explained that she had included information about her experiences because she thought that they would be “useful” to everyone who read her book.

Dunham Wanted To Address A Workplace Dynamic That Young Women ‘Can Understand’

During their conversation, Dunham said, “I think I wrote about a dynamic that a lot of young women can understand from the workplace.”

“I spent eight and a half years writing this book, so I was super intentional with every word that I put on the page and then you come on live TV — with cool glamorous girls like you — and are asked to rehash it in a way,” she added.

Even though her comments about Driver are making headlines, Dunham said that she wants people to focus on the “context” of her words.

“I really want people to read it in context and understand it in the totality,” she said. “It’s as much about my experience of coming to some kind of understanding of my own power as a boss than it is about anything else.”

Sheinelle Jones asked Dunham whether or not she expected to remain in contact with the “Star Wars” actor after her recent accusations. “Did you ever think that you guys would still communicate again?” she asked. “Or that you would stay in touch?”

However, Dunham seemed to sidestep the question. “I, in the book, really share that there were a lot of magical moments. And our entire cast has a sort of bond that I don’t think can ever be broken.”

In her memoir, Dunham alleges that she did not speak after they wrapped production on “Girls” in 2016. She alleges that they rode home in a van together, since Driver and his wife lived across the street from where she lived.

“In the car, he held my hand in silence,” Dunham wrote in an excerpt published by Entertainment Weekly. “When we reached our block, he took me in his arms. I let him kiss my cheek, my forehead. ‘You, too,’ I warbled. ‘I know we’ve had our hard moments, that we are really different people. I’m sorry if the way I am ever wasn’t good for… the way you are.’ I didn’t know how else to say it.”

She continued: “’It was just as it needed to be,’ he said, sounding like a Jedi (maybe he’d picked up a few tricks). ‘I hope you know I’ll always love you.’”

Dunham says that she stayed “motionless” as Driver left the van, and wondered if this meant that there was a “different kind of future ahead of us.”

“Who knows—maybe I’d write him new parts,” she wrote. “We would tell new stories. We would laugh at the way things had been, and smile at the way they were now.”

However, she confessed, “I never heard from him again.”

Lena Dunham Says Adam Driver Got Engaged One Month After An Alleged Incident

The show wrapped production three years after Driver married Joanne Tucker, whom he met when they were both students at Juilliard. Although they were together while he was filming “Girls,” Dunham alleged that she and Driver almost crossed a boundary in their relationship during a time when her parents were out of town, and Tucker was performing a play in Cincinnati.

In her memoir, Dunham claimed that he called her to tell her that he was engaged one month after the alleged incident. “It was absurd to be heartbroken, to have thought I meant anything, that I occupied any role beyond distraction,” she wrote.

Driver has yet to comment on the allegations.

Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for The Pitt Season 2 finale.

Now that Noah Wyle and R. Scott Gemmill‘s hit HBO medical drama The Pitt has finally reached its Season 2 finale, it feels like both viewers and characters alike can breathe a sigh of relief. Some of that might have to do with the fact that the hospital’s network is finally back online, right as the night shift crew clocks in to relieve the nurses and doctors who have faced any number of stressors — and one of the show’s newest additions is definitely bringing some much-needed “calm, cool, collected, and confident” energy.

Luke Tennie hadn’t even watched any of his Season 2 episodes when Collider caught up with him to chat about joining The Pitt, but he was excited for everyone — friends and family included — to watch his character, fourth-year resident Dr. Crus Henderson, finally roll into the emergency department of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Ahead of the finale’s premiere, Tennie discusses his experience of being on three of the best shows on TV right now — The Pitt, Abbott Elementary, and Shrinking — as well as which nickname gave him the most insight into Crus, the dynamic he established with co-star Patrick Ball, the experience of rehearsing and filming Season 2’s most visceral patient surgery, and more.

COLLIDER: How does it feel to be on three of the best shows on TV right now?

LUKE TENNIE: I mean, good. That’s nice. They’re all good for different reasons. Shrinking is this true union of drama and comedy, [Abbott Elementary]’s this hard comedy titan, and then The Pitt is the freaking Pitt. So, I can’t complain. Not only can I not complain, I can’t even fathom how I’m the guy who won the lottery three times — on the same lot! WB, man. So, I’m hype about it and really grateful.

In The Pitt, it’s not like someone shows up, and you learn their whole backstory in this huge infodump. Were you armed with any backstory for your character? Were you given leeway to make decisions about who this guy is in his off-time?

TENNIE: The most I learned about this dude was the character breakdown and the action lines. “Crus calmly… Crus, with confidence…” That’s pretty much it. So I know he’s calm, cool, collected, and confident. That’s a lot of Cs. He’s somebody who’s got a great ease about him in the ER. That’s an energy I didn’t see in Season 1. Abbot’s kind of got something like that, but he’s also somebody who’s supposed to mirror Robby, so he’s on the razor’s edge, as well.

I think they wanted a cool sort of counter for Langdon’s character, because he’s somebody who’s obviously an exceptional doctor. The goal when a doctor struggles the way Langdon did is to keep that doctor, because you want to keep people in medicine. You don’t want to lose people who can help people maintain their lives. But yeah, with Crus, he’s sort of the opposite of that wiry, as Langdon mentioned, ADHD sort of approach. He’s just the guy who’s always going for customer satisfaction. He wouldn’t be able to get that unless he’s calm, cool, collected, and confident. That’s Crus! Another C. The thing that taught me the most about the dude was his intro. Crus Control. That right there sums up who that guy is. You can relax, because we on Crus Control.

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LaNasa and Ball also discuss Dana’s lingering trauma and Langdon’s post-rehab journey.

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I previously spoke with Taylor Dearden about the transition that happens on set when the night crew rolls in. Do you feel like the set experience actually mirrors what your character’s experiencing in terms of coming in and having to start when things have already been cooking for however many hours? Do you use that to fuel the performance, too?

TENNIE: It’s great because on The Pitt, continuity is such an important part of it. You can track how specific this team is throughout the course of the day on The Pitt. You’ll see a couple of flyaways on a couple of heads that you didn’t see at the top of the shift, and that’s intentional because that scene might have been the first scene they shot that day, but they built in the flyaways because canonically in the story, chronologically, it’s been seven hours since the shift started.

We come in, the night shift, and they’re doing us all fresh-faced. That’s the morning for us. It really does feel that way, because you’re meeting the actors, and even the way they tease a little bit of the hair getting loose from the ponytail, it’s subconsciously telling you, even though it’s 8:00 a.m., it’s the end of the day. And then the hospital kind of breathes, you know? It’s like you can tell it’s getting ready to inhale again. It’s trying to catch its breath. Just because of the state of the continuity, that’s so specific that there’s a lot you don’t even have to act. You just react to what’s actually in front of you, which is really nice for an actor. The least amount of acting actually makes your job easier. When you don’t have to act like you’re wearing scrubs because you are wearing scrubs, it’s great. When you don’t have to act like the stethoscope is real, because it is a real stethoscope, it’s great. You can actually just listen for a heartbeat.

The only thing that we ain’t doing for real is cutting people up, because that’s a different show and it’s not on HBO. In our show, we like to make sure everybody’s safe. That’s the only thing that we take very, very seriously regarding actors’ safety. A lot of the stuff that we use, it’ll be a real scalpel; it’ll be dulled, but it’s still a real scalpel. So, if you work it, it’s like a knife. You gotta be careful. There’s a lot you don’t have to act. If you know that the scalpel will tear the prosthetic, then you need to be careful, because the prosthetic imitates real skin, as well. There’s so much that you don’t have to act that the acting that we have to do, that’s really required of us to bridge the gap. We’re so far immersed in reality that by the time we get there, your brain is creating a reality. It’s pretty exciting.

‘The Pitt’s Luke Tennie Reveals the One Season 2 Moment When Crus Loses His Cool

“Oh, shoot, Crus Control ain’t got control? This is serious.”

Image via HBO

We’ve been talking about the cool, calm, collected guy that you’re playing, but you are at the center of some pretty high-tension patient scenes in the back half of Season 2. Do you feel any added pressure in the moments when you have to play somebody who not only has to keep his own head on straight, but sometimes has to guide someone else?

TENNIE: One of my favorite moments was when I got told by our lovely director Uta [Briesewitz] that there is a moment where Crus is not calm, and that moment takes place when Langdon identifies a possible C-spine for the paralysis patient. I hope it came across because the first few takes, I was like, “Oh, this is Crus. He’s like, ‘Yo, we’ve got to fix this,’” and he’s locked in. But what happens in that regard is they teed me up in the script, and I didn’t recognize it, so I’m glad I had Uta there to help me.

I was coming out of the elevator with this guy after he just got back from his CAT scan, and Garcia’s leaving. I bump into her on the way out. I’m like, “Oh, the surgeon’s leaving?” I start getting a little nervous. We go in there, and I’m telling Langdon about it. I’m getting a little bit more nervous the more I tell him about it. Then the more he talks to the patient, I’m like, “I’m out of my depth here. This is something a neurosurgeon would need to handle, and I just watched the surgeon leave in the elevator. Now I’m the kid, and my parent went to go get shaving cream, and I’m at the checkout line, and the cashier is looking at me. Everything’s scanned, and I’m like, ‘Yo, I need somebody here who can pay!’” So, that’s kind of what happened in that moment.

When Langdon steps up, it’s really exciting because, instead of the attending physician coming in and being like, “Hey, I can pay,” the attending physician comes in, and he goes, “Hey, one of you has some experience. Get to work.” So we’re all flying by the seat of our pants. That’s when Robby comes in, and he’s the one who’s calm, cool, and collected. I haven’t seen any of it. In that scene, it all comes across as, like, “Oh, shoot, Crus Control ain’t got control? This is serious.” And that was one of the coolest things we got to shoot because the surgery was purely physical. It didn’t involve no scalpels, no ultrasound, no X-rays. It was all just a physical surgery, which is really exciting to play.

In terms of surgery, one scenario that takes a turn for the worse really quickly is the patient with the wild pregnancy who ends up having pre-eclampsia. It really feels like it’s a whole avalanche leading to that emergency C-section. Do you remember how many days of filming it took for that sequence?

TENNIE: It was like a week and a half. To shoot an episode of The Pitt, it’s like two weeks, so like 75% of that episode was that surgery. It was electrifying, man. It was so exciting to see all the moving pieces come together.

It’s weird, but sometimes I feel like the more people you add to a scene, it kind of lessens the percentage one actor has to carry, and we had, I don’t know, everybody in that room. So each one of us has like 5%, as opposed to, say, a two-hander, and each actor has 50%. Or it’s just you onscreen, like a lot of the time it is for Noah [Wyle], and he’s just walking around carrying 100% of the show for this long. It’s really interesting to see that. But that’s the teeniest team win I’ve seen on The Pitt, and the fact that I get to be a part of it is something that I just giggle at the thought of finally being able to see. Oh man, I can’t believe it’s finally this Thursday, man. Everybody’s been hassling me, like, “Yo, where is this Crus we’ve heard so much about? Is he on the way?” Sit tight!

‘The Pitt’s Most Intense Patient Scene Was Rehearsed in the Background of Season 2

“The reason why the rehearsals work is because they take place during shooting…”

Image via HBO

Is there a lot of rehearsal involved in a sequence like that? It’s not just high-pressure in terms of energy and tension, but then there are so many bodies in the room.

TENNIE: We didn’t have very long. The reason why the rehearsals work is because they take place during shooting, and that’s it. There will be people down the hall shooting a scene for the show, and we’re in a trauma room acting kind of like background when they’re shooting. When the cameras are off of us, we’re all whispering and working through the sequence, running dialogue, and running the movements, the motions, doing the handoffs.

One of my homies [Xavier Avil], who plays Medic Spratt, he’s this real handsome African American medic. He got the arms that look like Dwayne Johnson on him. You seen him? He and I went to the same college. He said it’s a “chaotic symphony.” Because he was there in Season 1, so he had done a little bit of work on the show before. He had come up with that phrase he used to describe it. Man, there’s nothing more accurate. It’s a chaotic symphony. Shoutout to him. He did a great job. I want to shout out Kacie Rogers, as well, who played my sister in this cool short that we just did, but we also had a couple of scenes on The Pitt. She’s one of the best actors I’ve ever seen. She’s great.

There’s definitely a big emphasis on practical effects and prosthetics, and making a scene feel as real as possible. It just feels like there’s something really tangible about that scene where everybody’s hands are involved, not to mention the baby.

TENNIE: I wish I had the crew list in front of me. I’m not remembering any of our visual department teams’ names, but it is done so well practically, I would venture to say about 5% of computer graphics is needed. That’s probably why they’re able to churn the show out so much. They just try to get it in a camera. Say you have to repeat something a couple of times, like if you have to make an incision, usually the prosthetics will have an incision, and the after effect they’ll do is the scalpel entering the skin but revealing the prosthetic that is already open. It’s like this true marriage — just a tiny amount of visual effects at the top, and then you’re in camera. That’s why it feels real, because usually the first or maybe second thing that you’re seeing is computer graphics, and then you’re just seeing what we did.

For the baby stuff, I don’t know if they used any computer graphics. We’re pulling a baby out of a stomach and setting it on the table. Like, that’s legit. That was some of the coolest visual effects work I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen some creature stuff up close, like for thriller horror movies; it’s different seeing what doctors would see. At the time, when I was doing that scene, we were two weeks out from the birth of our secondborn. Actually, getting close to the end of that episode, after we’d finally wrapped up that scene, I was like, “This baby can come any day now. I hope this baby doesn’t come when they need me in this O.R., because Daddy’s got to go to the O.R..” But it all worked out. There was a day of rest, and then my kiddo came the next day. We had a break on Saturday, she came on Sunday. It was insane.

‘The Pitt’s Luke Tennie Reveals His Wishlist for Season 3

“What does he feel like he can contribute? Where does he want to go?”

Image via HBO

Perfect timing! At this point, in terms of Season 3, there’s probably not much you can say or even know. Fans definitely love seeing the night shift crew roll in, and it’s really great to see you get to be a part of that. Do you have anything on your personal wishlist for Crus Control in a third season?

TENNIE: Honestly, character relationships. Something that I think is really cool about Patrick [Ball] is when we were putting together our intro, he’s like, “Well, I’ve been held back, man. So, if you’re a fourth year and I’m a fourth year, I’m supposed to be fifth, so you were coming up under me, and now we’re on the same level.” And I was like, “Oh, this is an actor right here. He’s digging into these character relationships.” I love to hear it. I want to explore that some more.

I want to know, yo, does [Crus] know about Langdon’s issues? The details? Because as we’re learning about stuff on Season 2, it’s like, “Hey, some people feel some type of way. You know about the beef with Santos?” Because I got a little scene with [Isa Briones], I’m familiar with her character. The character relationships are something I’m interested in seeing. Like, what’s this dude up to in terms of what he wants? We know he’s doing an ultrasound fellowship. Why does he want that? What does he feel like he can contribute? Where does he want to go? Does he want to stay here in emergency medicine? Does he want to change? That’s the kind of stuff I want to find out.

Both seasons of The Pitt are available to stream on HBO Max.