Shabana Azeez, star of HBO's medical drama The Pitt, has a message for actors who think their onscreen medical training translates to real life: it doesn't. Speaking exclusively to Live From E!: 2026 Emmys host Justin Sylvester on Sept. 14, Azeez pushed back on performers in medical shows who believe they could actually carry out a procedure off set.
"All these actors are walking around and being like, 'I could intubate somebody,'" Azeez said. "No, you couldn't."
She continued, "You would panic! The adrenaline would be coursing through your body, and you would pass out."
Playing a doctor versus being one
Azeez plays Victoria Javadi, a medical student, on The Pitt, the HBO series set in a Pittsburgh hospital emergency room. She was quick to draw a line between her onscreen confidence and real-world limitations.
"No, no, no, no, no, because that's not real," she said of her character's medical work. "I do panic on set about other things, like when are the snacks coming, you know, real problems. But with medical emergencies, I leave that for the doctors."
Azeez had a direct warning for viewers as well. "Don't let an actor do any medicine on you," she emphasized. "I can't believe how much I have to say this. Stop letting actors do medicine on you!"
Even Noah Wyle can't save you
Azeez also addressed fans who might hope her co-star Noah Wyle could step in during a real emergency. Wyle, who plays a senior attending physician on The Pitt, is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at this year's Emmys.
"That's not about medicine," Azeez quipped of any appeal to Wyle for help. "If you medically needed resuscitation, you would not call for him. You'd only want that when you didn't need it!"
The Pitt's big Emmys night
The Pitt arrived at the 78th Emmy Awards with 25 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series. The ceremony was hosted by Mariska Hargitay, known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Azeez marked the occasion in a champagne gold hand-beaded gown by Sophie Couture as she and the rest of the The Pitt cast looked to add to the show's awards haul.
Star-studded red carpet
Azeez's The Pitt co-stars were far from the only names dressed up for the night. Zendaya wore custom Prada with Mikimoto jewelry, while Selena Gomez chose Louis Vuitton paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Ayo Edebiri arrived in Chanel and Mikimoto jewelry.
Host Mariska Hargitay wore Monse with Stuart Weitzman shoes, and Noah Wyle stepped out in custom Brunello Cucinelli with a Cartier watch. Nicole Kidman appeared in Chanel with an OMEGA watch, and Elle Fanning wore Ralph Lauren and Cartier jewelry.
Other notable looks included Kristen Bell in Alberta Ferretti, Shailene Woodley in Balenciaga, Florence Pugh in Vivienne Westwood, and Colman Domingo in custom Valentino with an OMEGA watch. Kaley Cuoco wore Christian Siriano while her partner Tom Pelphrey chose Giorgio Armani.
Harrison Ford wore custom Paul Smith alongside Calista Flockhart in Zuhair Murad, and Sterling K. Brown appeared in Brunello Cucinelli. Michelle Pfeiffer wore Saint Laurent, and Oscar Isaac chose Celine for the evening.
