Pulse Cast: All About the Actors Starring in Netflix’s New Medical Drama (and Where You’ve Seen Them Before!)

Willa Fitzgerald as Danielle “Danny” Simms

Willa Fitzgerald plays Danielle “Danny” Simms, a third-year resident in emergency medicine at Maguire Medical Center, Miami’s Level 1 trauma center.

She has a complicated romantic relationship with her colleague, Dr. Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell). Things become more difficult when Xander deals with consequences, and Danny is promoted to chief resident.

“Danny is incredibly resilient and driven. She’s also an incredibly compartmentalized human,” Fitzgerald told Tudum.

Before joining the team at Maguire, she appeared in the Netflix limited series The Fall of the House of Usher, as well as Reacher and Scream: The TV Series. She also starred as the Lady in 2023’s twisty thriller Strange Darling.

Colin Woodell as Xander Phillips

Colin Woodell portrays Dr. Xander Phillips, the charismatic chief resident of medical emergency at Maguire.

When Xander is suspended from Maguire, his ex, Danny, takes over as chief resident. Shortly after, though, he's called back to help at the hospital as a hurricane approaches and tensions rise further.

Prior to Pulse, Woodell played Buzz Aldrin in the 2024 space age comedy Fly Me to the Moon, starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Other series include The Continental on Peacock, The Flight Attendant, The Originals and The Purge TV series.

Justina Machado as Natalie Cruz

Justina Machado plays Dr. Natalie Cruz, the chair of surgery and emergency medicine at Maguire. While she's determined to run a smooth ship, she also looks out for her hospital staff.

“She’s emotionally intelligent, besides being very intellectually intelligent,” Machado told Tudum. “She’s that way with the people who work with her and for her and with her family.”

Machado is known for her roles on Jane the Virgin, The Horror of Dolores Roach and starring in the Netflix revival of One Day at a Time.

Jessie T. Usher as Sam Elijah

Jessie T. Usher portrays Sam Elijah, Danny’s best friend at the hospital. He is a third-year emergency medicine resident who manages to stay cool and calm in the Maguire maelstrom.

Usher is most known for serving superhuman speed as A-Train on The Boys. In 2016, he played Dylan Hiller in the sci-fi sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence. Three years later, he portrayed the son of Samuel L. Jackson’s titular character in Shaft.

Other film roles include the Starz series Survivor's Remorse and the 2022 slasher flick Smile.

Jack Bannon as Tom Cole

Jack Bannon plays second-year resident Tom Cole, a British bad boy. Tom is also romantically involved with two of his co-workers, Cass Himmelstein (Jessica Rothe) and Nia Washington (Ash Santos).

Before Pulse, Bannon starred as Alfred Pennyworth in Pennyworth, the origin story of Bruce Wayne’s butler, which ran from 2019 to 2022.

Jessica Rothe as Cass Himmelstein

Jessica Rothe portrays Cass Himmelstein, a senior nurse in the E.R. who tries to keep it professional, but can’t help getting romantically involved with Tom Cole.

Rothe played Tree Gelbman in Happy Death Day and its sequel, Happy Death Day 2U. She also appeared in the Netflix original series Virgin River and the 2016 Oscar-winning musical, La La Land.

Nestor Carbonell as Dr. Ruben Soriano

Nestor Carbonell plays Dr. Ruben Soriano, a senior surgeon who is serious about his job and has no time for drama outside of his operating room.

Pulse is a reunion for Carbonell and showrunner Cuse. They previously worked together on Lost and Bates Motel.

Carbonell’s other recent work includes roles on The Morning Show and Shōgun, for which he won the 2024 Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a drama series.

Daniela Nieves as Camila Perez

Daniela Nieves portrays Camila Perez, a third-year medical student Dr. Natalie Cruz is mentoring at Maguire. Not only is she a new face at the trauma center, but her first day also coincides with the arrival of Hurricane Abby.

Nieves previously appeared in the series Snowfall, All Rise and Save Me. She also starred in Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way and Peacock’s Vampire Academy.

Chelsea Muirhead as Sophie Chan

Chelsea Muirhead plays Sophie Chan, an intern at Maguire who becomes fast friends with medical student Camila Perez.

“We just love that pairing and think the audience is really going to enjoy watching these two try to make their way through the medical world,” Cuse told Tudum.

Chan previously appeared in the TV shows Slo Pitch, Warrior and Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.

Jessy Yates as Harper Simms

Jessy Yates portrays Harper Simms, a second-year emergency medicine resident. Working at Maguire is a family affair though, since Harper is Danny’s younger sister.

“Jessy came on set and did such an incredible job. She really blossomed,” showrunner Zoe Robyn recalled to Tudum. “I think the sister relationship between Harper and Danny is very deep, and they made it so.”

Before Pulse, Yates starred in Apple TV+’s Me and lent her voice to the PBS animated series Skillsville.

Santiago Segura as Gabriel Moreno

Santiago Segura plays Gabriel, a member of the Maguire trauma center team, as a nurse in the emergency room.

Like his Pulse costar Fitzgerald, Segura was part of the cast for Scream: The TV Series. He also had roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Roswell, New Mexico and Walker: Independence.