Isa Briones, star of Max's medical drama "The Pitt," embraces playing one of TV's most polarizing new characters - fourth-year medical student Dr. Trinity Santos.
"It is an actor's dream to play someone that the audience loves to hate," Briones shares. "When I see people have strong reactions, and some people say 'I hate you,' I know I did what I was supposed to do. I made them feel something."
The Star Trek: Picard alum portrays Santos as a fiercely competitive intern at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center with an unfiltered personality. While the role was initially described as "strong-willed" during casting, Briones discovered an inherent humor in the character's unconventional choices.
The show's seventh episode revealed a deeper layer to Santos' tough exterior when she confronts a patient accused of molesting his teenage daughter. Through an emotionally charged monologue, viewers learn Santos is herself a survivor of sexual trauma.
"It's interesting to attack the emotional stuff when the character you're playing is not an emotional person," Briones explains. "I'm a crier, so I would start talking and really crying, but Santos wouldn't do that. Your currency in acting is often your tears, but that's not what this calls for."
Before filming began, series creators R. Scott Gemmill and John Wells worked closely with Briones to develop Santos' backstory. This preparation, combined with two weeks of medical boot camp training, helped the actress fully inhabit her character's perspective.
While Santos remains guarded moving forward, Briones hopes the revelation provides context for her character's behavior. "This is a moment where her emotions are getting the better of her because of how strongly she feels about this, and how hard it hits home," she reflects.
"The Pitt" airs new episodes Thursdays at 9/8c on Max.