Hello, everyone! Hope you’re all doing well. I’m here to discuss the drama Pulse, which marks Netflix’s debut in original procedural medical dramas.
Launching on Netflix on April 3, 2025, Pulse offers 10 gripping episodes, each 45 minutes long and rated TV-MA. Created by Zoe Robyn with Carlton Cuse as showrunner, the series stars Willa Fitzgerald and Colin Woodell, set against the backdrop of the high-stakes emergency medicine scene in Miami.
The narrative delves into the lives of doctors and hospital staff at a bustling trauma center in Miami. However, it’s not just another medical procedural; it examines how ER residents handle medical crises and personal turmoil amidst a significant allegation within their hospital, adding tension to every episode.
Danny Simms: A Resident in Turmoil
Willa Fitzgerald portrays Danny Simms, a multifaceted character balancing relationship strains with the pressures of the ER in Miami. Danny finds herself at the heart of the central conflict when she levels a serious accusation, causing discord among the hospital staff.
Fitzgerald’s depiction of Danny is intricate and convincing. Showrunner Carlton Cuse notes, “Danny’s not as straightforward as she seems. She’s even more intricate,” adding depth to the series’ emotional core. Her story explores themes of workplace harassment, power struggles, and the personal toll of confronting power in a high-pressure medical setting.
Xander Phillips: The Accused and the Impact
Colin Woodell takes on the role of Xander Phillips, a fellow resident entangled in the hospital’s main controversy with Danny. The series uses both present-day settings and flashbacks to illustrate the repercussions of Danny’s harassment claim against Phillips.
Woodell’s portrayal skillfully balances sympathy and ambiguity. The narrative avoids clear-cut answers regarding guilt or innocence, instead focusing on how the allegation ripples through the lives of fellow residents and hospital administrators.
Miami Under Pressure: External and Internal Storms
As a hurricane approaches Miami, similar turmoil brews within the Maguire ER, where the allegation causes division among residents. The show effectively uses the hurricane as a metaphor for the internal chaos affecting the hospital staff.
Miami’s setting is not just a backdrop; it is vital to the show’s character. The diverse cast reflects the city’s multicultural makeup, and the intense medical cases often connect with the distinct challenges of practicing medicine in a major city susceptible to natural disasters.
The Divided Hospital: Supporting Characters
The ensemble cast includes Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates, each adding depth to their roles as residents, nurses, and staff caught in the hospital’s turmoil. These characters are more than just side players; they each have personal stakes in the outcome of Danny’s accusation.
The last five episodes, starting with “Homestead,” act as a partial reset, with some residents taking a needed break while more is revealed about Danny and her sister Harper’s past.
Pulse’s Reception: A Challenging Launch
All ten episodes of Pulse were released on Netflix on April 3, 2025, but the series faced hurdles with its audience. Some viewers see Pulse as a victim of poor timing, debuting soon after HBO’s acclaimed The Pitt in January 2025. Sadly, Netflix canceled the series after one season on July 2, 2025, despite its ambitious storytelling and strong performances.
The series received a 6.5 rating on IMDb, reflecting mixed but not entirely negative feedback. While some critics lauded the show for addressing challenging topics, others felt it struggled to stand out in a crowded medical drama field.
If you’re a fan of medical dramas that delve into contemporary issues like workplace harassment and power dynamics, Pulse is worth checking out on Netflix. While it didn’t achieve the longevity of other medical series, it provides a thoughtful look at how personal disputes can fracture professional relationships in high-pressure settings.
Despite its cancellation, Pulse offers a compelling yet brief exploration of medical ethics and personal responsibility that shouldn’t be missed by fans of the genre.
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 consequences of the harassment allegation