Fil Am actor JB Tadena joins ‘The Pitt’ season 3

Filipino American actor JB Tadena is joining the recurring cast of HBO Max’s medical drama "The Pitt" in its third season, where he will play Dr. Reed Thomas, a physician at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center (PTMC).

According to Deadline, the 43-year-old is one of seven actors joining the Season 3 recurring cast, alongside Stephen Chang, Barry Clifton, Chris Diamantopoulos, Lawrence Kao, Brent Sexton, and Hannah Ware.

His casting also adds to the Filipino representation already seen on the series. The first two seasons featured Filipino actors Isa Briones, Amielynn Abellera, and Kristin Villanueva, and Tadena’s addition continues that presence in the acclaimed medical drama.

Tadena shared his excitement about the casting in a playful social media post, where he shared a screenshot of the announcement. “Playing a pretend doctor so my family will be pretend proud of me lol but no I’m really fortunate,” he wrote.

He also gave a shoutout to fellow newcomer Lawrence Kao, writing, “Also @iamlawrencekao is very handsome and has gorgeous hair.”

Set at PTMC, “The Pitt” follows doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers as they navigate demanding hospital shifts while dealing with personal struggles, workplace tensions, and the emotional challenges that come with caring for patients. 

The series has earned major recognition since its debut, including honors from the Actors Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Its second season also received multiple Emmy nominations, with the awards ceremony set for September 14.

Tadena, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, is the son of Filipino immigrants. 

His previous TV shows include “Kung Fu” and “The Cleaning Lady,” the latter of which also featured Filipino actors Martha Millan, Alain Uy, Khalen Roman Sanchez, Princess Punzalan, and Lea Salonga. He also appeared as Nurse Adam in Season 10, Episode 18 of the long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The actor is adding another show to his portfolio with an upcoming appearance in the Netflix film “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,” which stars Brad Pitt and is directed by David Fincher. 

The film will have an exclusive two-week run in IMAX theaters worldwide beginning November 25, ahead of its Netflix debut on December 23.

“The Pitt” Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in January 2027.