Sepideh Moafi was more than ready to shake up The Pitt's world

When Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi joined The Pitt for its second season, she didn't just replace a character, she transformed the entire world of Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s Emergency Room. Played by Sepideh Moafi, Al-Hashimi brought a fresh perspective, an AI app, and an intensely principled attitude to the show.

Moafi, who was born in a German refugee camp after her parents fled Iran, had been preparing for this role for a long time. She drew upon her humanitarian work and her identity to bring authenticity to her portrayal, even as she navigated the nerves of joining a beloved, acclaimed TV show midstream.

Despite her preparation, Moafi admitted to feeling a bit nervous during the show’s pre-season “boot camp,” where the cast learned the ER setting, procedure, and lingo. However, she quickly realized that her nerves were part of the job and that she was perfectly suited for the role.

Her nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the Emmys marked a significant milestone as she became the first Middle Eastern woman to receive such recognition. Moafi used this platform to champion SWANA voices and expressed her artistic satisfaction with the show's real-time format.

For Moafi, preparing for Al-Hashimi involved creating an expansive backstory for her character, though she admitted that not all her prep work was necessary. She found that immersing herself in the present moment and embracing whatever emotions the character brought forth was enough to fuel her performance. She likened this approach to the philosophy of boxing, where one must stay in the moment rather than dwelling on past or future events.