The season 2 finale of The Pitt appeared to write Dr. Samira Mohan off the show after Supriya Ganesh‘s controversial exit.
During the Thursday, April 16, episode of the hit series, Robby (Noah Wyle) is preparing to go on his sabbatical, worrying others that he won’t return. Robby attempted to give each person an individual goodbye — leading to a candid conversation with Samira right outside the ER.
“I know that life can be challenging — especially when it doesn’t work out the way you expect it,” Robby told Samira. “I thought I would be married with two kids in college by now. Maybe have some property with a pond and we could play hockey on it in the wintertime. And yet look at me now. No wife, no kids, no pond.”
Samira reminded Robby that “it’s never too late.” He then asked if she “really” believed that for him and for herself.
“I see what you did there. Is that true or is it something you just said to make a point?” Samira asked before offering more insight into her strained relationship with her mom. “We’re not talking [right now]. I am sorry that I let it distract me. She was treating me like a child and I was letting her.”
Samira ultimately wished Robby “a good trip,” adding, “Please be safe. We need you here, even if you can be a d*** sometimes.” Their last exchange was Samira wishing Robby luck — and him reciprocating. The final scene with Samira came later on in the finale when the employees went to the roof to watch the 4th of July fireworks together.
News originally broke earlier this month that Ganesh, 28, would not be returning to the show. It was reported that the exit was a “story-driven” decision after Ganesh previously teased plans to return.
“It’s up to the writers,” Ganesh exclusively told Us Weekly in February about where she would like to see Samira in season 3. “Let’s see where they end up taking her.”
Ganesh continued: “I think we left her in a really interesting spot. I’m really curious where she ends up going.”
Following backlash, Wyle, 54, defended the decision to shake up the cast from season to season. (Tracy Ifeachor didn’t come back for season 2 despite being a fan-favorite on the show.)
“It’s an inevitability that’s going to happen every season with this show, because as writers we’re hard-pressed to figure out what a lapse of time we can have and keep most of the ensemble together realistically,” he told Variety at PaleyFest’s screening of The Pitt on Sunday, April 12. “Emergency rooms have a high revolving door. As always, we try to bring in new characters or promote from within as we go through these cast changes and try to keep the story lines fresh, but obviously Supriya has been a huge part of our show since the beginning.”
He concluded: “Dr. Mohan is a beloved character, and I love playing with her and working with Supriya, and we wish her all the best in her next endeavors, and we’re going to miss her.”
The Pitt has been renewed on HBO Max and is returning for season 3.
