The Heartbeat Of Miami: Meet The Full Cast Of Netflix's New Medical Drama 'Pulse' (2025)
Netflix's latest foray into the high-stakes world of medical drama, Pulse, has captivated audiences since its premiere on April 3, 2025. Set in the bustling, high-pressure environment of a Miami Level 1 trauma center, the 10-episode series delivers a fresh take on the genre, blending life-and-death medical procedures with intense interpersonal drama and a central storyline focused on professional misconduct. The series, which has quickly become a must-watch, owes its immediate success to a powerhouse ensemble cast, featuring a mix of established television veterans and rising stars who bring palpable tension and authenticity to the hospital corridors of Maguire.
The core of Pulse revolves around third-year resident Dr. Danielle "Danny" Simms, whose career trajectory is radically altered by a sexual harassment complaint she files against her superior. This sensational plot point, coupled with the daily chaos of a major trauma center, including a massive hurricane barreling toward Miami, provides the backdrop for a deeply human and often controversial narrative. As of late December 2025, the series continues to generate significant discussion, with viewers eager to learn more about the talented actors who breathe life into the complex doctors and nurses of this gripping new Netflix original.
The Essential Cast Profiles: Who's Who at Maguire Hospital
The success of any medical drama hinges on the chemistry and performance of its central doctors. Pulse features a dynamic ensemble, led by four performers whose previous work has already made them household names. Below is a detailed look at the actors and their vital roles in the series.
- Willa Fitzgerald as Dr. Danielle "Danny" Simms
- Role in Pulse: The protagonist, a third-year resident whose career is upended after she files a sexual harassment complaint.
- Born: January 17, 1991, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
- Education: Graduated from Yale University with a degree in theater studies.
- Career Highlights: Best known for her starring role as Emma Duval in the MTV horror series Scream. She also played the cheer coach Colette French in the USA Network series Dare Me and had a recurring role in the Amazon Prime series Reacher.
- Colin Woodell as Dr. Xander Phillips
- Role in Pulse: The chief resident and Danny's superior, who is the subject of her sexual harassment complaint. His character is central to the series' main conflict.
- Born: December 20, 1991, in San Francisco, California, U.S.
- Career Highlights: Notable roles include Aiden in the supernatural drama series The Originals, Ethan Sinclair in Devious Maids, and Ronald Sturgis in Masters of Sex. Most recently, he starred as Winston Scott in the Peacock miniseries The Continental (2023), the prequel to the John Wick film series.
- Justina Machado as Natalie Cruz
- Role in Pulse: A key figure in the hospital, likely a nurse or administrator, who provides a grounding presence amidst the chaos.
- Born: September 6, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Career Highlights: A celebrated actress known for her extensive stage and screen work. She starred as Penelope Alvarez in the critically acclaimed Netflix/Pop TV series One Day at a Time. She also had a significant role as Vanessa Diaz in the HBO drama Six Feet Under, for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. She was honored as a 2025 ¡HOLA! Latina Powerhouse in Entertainment.
- Jessie T. Usher as Sam Elijah
- Role in Pulse: A talented doctor who navigates the professional and personal fallout of the hospital's central drama.
- Born: February 29, 1992, in Maryland, U.S.
- Career Highlights: Widely recognized for his role as Reggie Franklin / A-Train in the Amazon Prime Video superhero series The Boys. His film credits include playing the lead role of Dylan Hiller in Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) and the title character's son in Shaft (2019). He also starred in the successful 2022 horror film Smile.
The High-Stakes Plot and Thematic Depth of Pulse
Pulse is not just another procedural medical drama; it is a series built around a central, timely conflict that elevates its thematic complexity. The show is set at Maguire Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center in Miami, where the stakes are inherently high. The series premiere immediately thrusts viewers into the world of Dr. Danny Simms, whose professional life is thrown into turmoil after she takes a stand against her superior, Dr. Xander Phillips.
The series creators, including Zoe Robyn and co-showrunner Carlton Cuse (known for hits like Lost and Bates Motel), utilize this core conflict to explore several powerful themes. The plot delves deep into the complexities of workplace power dynamics, the challenges faced by women in medicine, and the ethical gray areas that exist even in life-saving professions. By focusing on the aftermath of a sexual harassment complaint, the show tackles a sensitive and relevant topic head-on, promising a narrative that is as much a legal and ethical thriller as it is a medical one.
Adding to the tension is the unique setting of a Miami trauma center, which provides a vibrant, diverse backdrop for the drama. The show also incorporates a significant natural disaster element, with a hurricane barreling towards the city, forcing the doctors and nurses to operate under extreme duress. This environmental pressure cooker is a narrative device that tests the limits of the hospital staff, pushing their skills, relationships, and moral boundaries to the absolute breaking point.
The Supporting Cast and Key Entities Driving the Drama
While the four main actors anchor the series, Pulse features a deep bench of talented supporting cast members and key creative entities that contribute to its topical authority and narrative richness. The supporting ensemble plays crucial roles in the day-to-day operations and the central investigation at Maguire Hospital.
Key Supporting Actors and Roles:
- Jack Bannon as Dr. Tom Cole: Bannon, known for playing Alfred Pennyworth in the series Pennyworth, steps into the role of Dr. Tom Cole, another significant figure in the hospital hierarchy.
- Jessica Rothe as Cass Himmelstein: Rothe, widely recognized for her lead role in the Happy Death Day film series, plays Cass Himmelstein, a character who adds another dimension to the resident's circle.
- Jessy Yates, Chelsea Muirhead, and Daniela Nieves: These actors round out the main ensemble, portraying other residents, nurses, or hospital staff whose lives are intertwined with Danny and Xander’s conflict and the high-pressure environment of the Level 1 trauma center.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Series:
The show's high production value and tightly written scripts are attributed to its experienced creative team. Zoe Robyn, the series creator, has crafted a story that is both medically authentic and emotionally compelling. Her vision is supported by veteran showrunner Carlton Cuse, whose involvement signals a commitment to complex, character-driven storytelling with high-stakes tension. Cuse's reputation for managing successful, long-running series like Lost and Bates Motel gives Pulse a strong foundation in the competitive landscape of Netflix original series.
The combination of a stellar, recognizable cast and a creative team with a proven track record ensures that Pulse stands out as a fresh and essential entry in the medical drama genre. The show’s focus on contemporary issues, set against the backdrop of a Miami trauma center, provides ample opportunity for the cast to explore nuanced and challenging material, making it a powerful addition to Netflix's 2025 lineup.
Why Pulse is the Must-Watch Medical Drama of 2025
In a television landscape saturated with medical shows, Pulse distinguishes itself through its commitment to topical relevance and deep character exploration. The series uses the familiar framework of a Level 1 trauma center, where every decision is a matter of life and death, to explore the very human failings and moral struggles of its staff. The central plot—a sexual harassment complaint—is a bold narrative choice that pushes the boundaries of the genre, moving beyond standard medical cases to focus on systemic issues within the professional world.
The casting of Willa Fitzgerald as the determined Dr. Danny Simms and Colin Woodell as the controversial Dr. Xander Phillips creates an immediate, compelling dynamic. Their performances are crucial in navigating the sensitive and often ambiguous territory of their conflict, demanding a level of subtlety that the cast delivers. Furthermore, the presence of veterans like Justina Machado, who brings her acclaimed dramatic and comedic timing, ensures that the supporting storylines are equally engaging.
Ultimately, Pulse is more than just a series about doctors saving lives; it’s a show about the intense pressure cooker of a modern American hospital, where professional ambition, personal ethics, and the fight for justice all intersect. For fans of high-quality, character-driven drama and those looking for a medical series with a significant, timely twist, the 10-episode first season of Pulse, which premiered on April 3, 2025, is essential viewing on Netflix. Its exploration of complex relationships and ethical dilemmas, all while a hurricane looms, solidifies its position as a standout series of the year.
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