Hello, everyone! Hope you’re doing well. Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the series Pulse, which made its debut on Netflix as the streaming service’s inaugural procedural medical drama.
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Released on April 3, 2025, Pulse features 10 episodes filled with gripping medical narratives, each running for about 45 minutes and rated TV-MA. With Zoe Robyn as the creator and Carlton Cuse as the showrunner, the series stars Willa Fitzgerald and Colin Woodell as they navigate the intense environment of emergency medicine in Miami.
The narrative focuses on the personal and professional experiences of medical personnel at a bustling trauma center in Miami, elevating it beyond the standard medical procedural. It delves into how a group of ER residents manage both medical emergencies and personal turmoil amidst a contentious accusation at their Miami hospital, fostering a tense atmosphere throughout the series.
Danny Simms: A Resident in the Hot Seat
Willa Fitzgerald takes on the role of Danny Simms, a multifaceted character balancing increasing relationship pressures with the high demands of an emergency room setting in Miami. Danny becomes pivotal to the show’s central conflict when she puts forth a serious allegation that strains relationships among the hospital staff.
Fitzgerald’s interpretation of Danny is both nuanced and engaging. As Carlton Cuse puts it, “Danny’s not as complicated as she appears. She’s even more complex,” and this depth significantly contributes to the series’ emotional resonance. Her journey examines themes of workplace harassment, power structures, and the personal toll of confronting authority in a high-stress medical setting.
Xander Phillips: The Accused and Its Impact
Colin Woodell portrays Xander Phillips, a fellow resident whose ties with Danny spark the hospital’s main controversy. The series utilizes dual timelines — the present and flashbacks to recent history — to explore the ramifications of Danny’s harassment accusation against Phillips.
Woodell’s portrayal delicately balances a character that must evoke both sympathy and skepticism. The series avoids simple conclusions about guilt or innocence, instead highlighting how the allegation impacts everyone involved, from fellow residents to hospital leadership.
Turbulence Inside and Outside: Miami in Crisis
As a hurricane approaches Miami, tensions rise within the Maguire ER, where the serious allegation has created divisions among the residents. The series cleverly employs the looming threat of the hurricane as a metaphor for the internal turmoil engulfing the hospital staff.
The Miami backdrop is more than just a setting; it’s woven into the fabric of the show. The diverse cast mirrors the city’s multicultural demographic, and the high-stakes medical cases often reflect the unique challenges of practicing medicine in a major urban area vulnerable to natural disasters.
Supporting Characters: A Hospital in Turmoil
The ensemble cast features Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates, each adding depth to their roles as residents, nurses, and hospital staff caught in the middle of the ongoing crisis. These supporting characters are not mere background figures; they each have vested interests in the implications of Danny’s allegations.
The concluding five episodes, starting with Episode 6, “Homestead,” provide a sort of reset, with several residents taking a much-needed day off while more details about Danny and her sister Harper’s upbringing come to light.
Mixed Response on Netflix: A Challenging Launch
All ten episodes of Pulse debuted on Netflix on April 3, 2025, but the series encountered obstacles with audience reception. For many, Pulse suffered from unfortunate timing, arriving right after the acclaimed HBO medical drama The Pitt, which premiered on January 9, 2025. Regrettably, Netflix canceled the show after just one season on July 2, 2025, despite its ambitious storytelling and strong performances.
With a 6.5 rating on IMDb, the series received a mixed but not entirely unfavorable reception. While some reviewers commended the show for addressing challenging issues, others felt it struggled to establish its place in the saturated medical drama genre.
If you enjoy medical dramas that confront significant modern challenges like workplace harassment and power dynamics, Pulse deserves a watch on Netflix. Although it may not have reached the longevity of other medical series, it provides a thoughtful look at how personal disputes can fracture professional ties in high-stakes environments.
Despite its cancellation, Pulse offers a riveting, albeit short, exploration of medical ethics and personal responsibility that fans of medical dramas should not overlook.
Series Information:
Number of Episodes: 10 episodes
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 6.5/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Medical Drama, Workplace Drama
Protagonists: Willa Fitzgerald (Danny Simms), Colin Woodell (Xander Phillips), Justina Machado
Antagonist: The systemic issues within the hospital and the ramifications of the harassment claim