Home / Arts and Entertainment / The Pitt's Subtle nod to self-harm struggles
The Pitt's Subtle nod to self-harm struggles
20 Feb
Summary
- Santos' self-harm scars were subtly revealed on screen.
- Langdon's storyline explored opioid addiction issues.
- Actress Isa Briones discussed audience bias against Santos.

The HBO Max series "The Pitt" recently depicted a sensitive portrayal of character Santos' (Isa Briones) past struggles with self-harm. During an episode aired on February 19, 2026, scars on Santos' thigh were visible, confirming her personal trauma.
This storyline emerged after Santos became a controversial figure in the show's first season. Her conflict with supervisor Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) over his drug theft from the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital initially polarized viewers. Langdon's subsequent storyline revealed his opioid addiction, stemming from a prescribed medication after an injury, mirroring widespread national issues.
Actress Isa Briones commented on the audience's reaction to Santos, noting that viewers might have judged her character too quickly. Briones expressed that while Santos can be perceived as arrogant, her actions to expose wrongdoing were legally and ethically correct. She found the nuanced discussions among fans, particularly on platforms like Reddit, heartening and indicative of intelligent viewership engaging with complex characters.




