The Pitt and ER are similar enough for lawsuit to proceed, judge rules

US drama The Pitt is similar enough to medical series ER for a lawsuit against its producers to progress, a court in the US has ruled. The widow of Michael Crichton, who created ER, argues The Pitt is effectively a reboot of the series, which has been made without proper permission or credit. Sherri Crichton says her husband's contract included a "frozen rights" provision that prohibited any spin-offs, sequels or reboots of ER being made without his express consent.

A three-judge panel said there are "clear and numerous similarities between The Pitt and ER," which means the case can go ahead. Warner Bros previously described the lawsuit as "baseless" and sought to have it dismissed. Listing the similarities between the two shows, the court cited the emergency room setting, the fast pace, use of medical jargon, graphic depictions of injuries, and younger doctors fresh from medical school being trained.

But the judges dismissed separate claims against actor-producer Noah Wyle, executive producer John Wells and showrunner R Scott Gemmill.