Dr. Mel King: Neurodivergent Representation on Max’s The Pitt

Is The Pitt's Dr. Mel King neurodivergent? Let's explore!

As the entertainment industry slowly grows more inclusive, neurodivergent-coded characters, specifically those exhibiting traits associated with autism - are becoming slightly more prevalent in film and television. Recent portrayals range from caricatures (think Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory) to more authentic yet still occasionally stereotypical depictions (such as The Good Doctor’s narrow depiction of autism. 

While we are glad to see this trend taking baby steps in the right direction, our practice is particularly excited by the portrayal of an autistic-coded character on Max’s streaming platform. The Pitt is a new medical drama that takes place in an overloaded hospital emergency room and features actress Taylor Dearden in the role of Dr. Melissa (Mel) King. 

Dr. Mel King is one of several characters on Max's new medical drama The Pitt.

While Dr. Mel does not confirm that she is autistic (though she does mention she has an autistic sister), some of her behaviors and characteristics present as neurodivergent. Dearden has also alluded to relying on her own neurodivergence as a woman with ADHD for inspiration for her portrayal of the role, saying in this interview that “I just kind of played a less masked version of my anxiety”.

Which traits have led viewers to call Dr. Mel King neurodivergent (and more specifically, autistic)? There are several, including:

• Expressing excitement or cheerfulness in more serious situations

• Having occasionally awkward interactions with her colleagues

• Needing occasional clarification regarding tone or context clues in conversations

• Experiencing frustration and other deeply emotional responses to challenging situations, making grounding more difficult

• Exhibiting behaviors that can be described as “stimming”, such as moving her fingers in a repetitive pattern

• Using out-of-the-box thinking and successfully approaching problems in unique and unexpected ways

• Feeling a strong sense of justice and fighting for what is right, accompanied by struggles navigating the feelings associated with the situation that is out of their control

At the same time, Dr. Mel actively challenges a number of stereotypes that are often associated with autistic characters. She expresses a broad range of emotions, demonstrates empathy, and builds relationships, all while tackling her work with competence and enthusiasm. These beautiful qualities are shared by autistic individuals, and it is refreshing to see them highlighted in an autistic-coded fictional portrayal. 

The Pitt and specifically Dr. Mel King shine a light on what neurodivergent-affirming care can and should look like.

One of Dr. Mel’s most neurodivergent-affirming scenes occurs when she interacts and connects with an autistic patient. She immediately supports his sensory needs by closing the door and dimming the lights. Then she uses a physical model of a foot to help him better grasp his injury in a clear and tangible way. Most importantly, Dr. Mel treats him with the respect and dignity he and all patients deserve. This scene alone is a stellar reminder of what should be the gold standard of neurodivergent-affirming treatment in the medical community. 

Will the showrunners ever outright call Dr. Mel King neurodivergent? We’re not sure, though it would likely feel affirming for some viewers. Will we see more examples of stereotype-breaking autistic and broader neurodivergent behaviors in season two of The Pitt? We certainly hope so. However, our most important takeaway is recognizing the mental health value of autistic and other neurodivergent individuals seeing themselves reflected in Dr. Mel’s character development.

Representation matters, especially now during times where misinformation can be harmful and hurtful. This show and character are clearly moving in a positive, neurodivergent-affirming direction.