Filipino Cast Members of "The Pitt"
The Pitt features notable Filipino representation through three Filipino-American actresses: Isa Briones, Kristin Villanueva, and Amielynn Abellera.
Their characters bring Filipino identity into the everyday life of a busy American emergency department, including moments where Tagalog is spoken on screen.
Isa Briones â Dr. Trinity Santos
- Birthplace: London, England
- Heritage: Filipino through her father, actor Jon Jon Briones; Swedish and Irish through her mother
- Raised: New York City and Los Angeles, California
- Education: Los Angeles County High School for the Arts
- Field: Television, Film, Musical Theater & Singing
Kristin Villanueva â Nurse Princess Dela Cruz
- Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
- Heritage: Filipino
- Raised: Manila until age 15, then moved to the Washington, D.C./Virginia area
- Education: BFA in Acting, SUNY Purchase
- Field: Television & Theater
Amielynn Abellera â Nurse Perlah Alawi
- Birthplace: Stockton, California, USA
- Heritage: Filipino-American; both of her parents immigrated from the Philippines
- Raised: Stockton, California
- Education: BS in Psychobiology, Santa Clara University; MFA in Acting, University of Southern California
- Field: Television, Theater, Film & Voice Acting
Briones advocated for Dr. Santos to share her Filipino heritage rather than leaving the character's Asian background unspecified
All three actresses were part of The Pitt ensemble that won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 2026 Actor Awards
Their characters reflect the important presence of Filipinos in the American healthcare workforce
The Pitt gives viewers a glimpse of Filipino-American life that goes beyond simply placing Filipino faces on screen.
Through Dr. Santos, Princess, and Perlah, the series shows different Filipino experiences, personalities, and generations working together in healthcare.
Briones has emphasized that there is no single way to look, sound, or experience being Filipino.
One memorable scene has Princess and Perlah gossiping in Tagalog about Dr. Santos, assuming she cannot understand them. Santos then responds in Tagalog, revealing that she understood them the entire time!