After last year’s Primetime Emmy broadcast that sported fresh blood in terms of marquee category winners with Hacks for Comedy Series, Shōgun for Drama Series and Baby Reindeer for Limited Series/Anthology,

The show’s star, Noah Wyle, has five Emmy nominations to his name from his days on that other medical drama he once starred in, ER, but honestly, he hit a new level of performance with The Pitt. Though he never won for ER, and he might not win here, given the competition, his performance is riveting, heartfelt, and most importantly, real.

Interviews conducted and compiled by Associated Press journalists Hilary Fox, Liam McEwan, Brooke Lefferts, Itzel Luna, Jocelyn Noveck, Ryan Pearson and Alicia Rancilio.