What is the legal dispute between the Crichton estate and the creators of 'The Pitt'?

The Crichton estate is suing the creators of 'The Pitt', claiming the HBO Max series is a derivative work of the hit medical drama 'ER'. However, the 'The Pitt' team argues the show is an entirely original work.

What is the current status of the legal battle over 'The Pitt'?

The 'The Pitt' team has filed an appeal to try to overturn the earlier court ruling, as the case continues to unfold amid Warner Bros. Discovery's potential sale.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Crichton Estate Battles to Stop Acclaimed Series 'The Pitt' from Airing

Crichton Estate Battles to Stop Acclaimed Series 'The Pitt' from Airing

29 Oct

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Summary

Crichton estate sues to stop HBO Max series 'The Pitt' from airing
Creators argue 'The Pitt' is an original work, not a derivative of 'ER'
Appeal filed to overturn earlier court ruling against anti-SLAPP motion

Crichton Estate Battles to Stop Acclaimed Series 'The Pitt' from Airing

In a high-profile legal battle, the estate of renowned author John Michael Crichton is suing to prevent the HBO Max series 'The Pitt' from airing. The estate claims the show is a derivative work of Crichton's hit medical drama 'ER', which ran for 15 seasons on NBC.

However, the creators of 'The Pitt' have fiercely contested the allegations, arguing that their show is an entirely original work. In a nearly 70-page appeal brief filed this week, the 'The Pitt' team, led by Gibson Dunn's Ted Boutrous Jr., asserts that the show "is no more a 'derivative work' of ER than is any other hospital drama." They highlight the differences in characters, plot, themes, setting, and storytelling device between the two shows.

The legal battle began in August 2024 when the Crichton estate filed a breach of contract lawsuit, hoping to stop 'The Pitt' from ever seeing the light of day. In February 2025, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled against the defendants' anti-SLAPP motion, allowing the case to proceed to trial.