As a dangerous hurricane bears down on Miami, the real turbulence is unfolding inside the walls of Maguire Medical Center. The highly anticipated medical drama Pulse makes its explosive debut on April 3, thrusting viewers into the high-stakes world of emergency medicine—where personal and professional crises collide with hurricane-force intensity.
At the heart of the storm is Dr. Danny Simms (Willa Fitzgerald, The Fall of the House of Usher), a talented but conflicted resident whose decision to report her supervisor, chief resident Dr. Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell), for sexual harassment sends shockwaves through the hospital. The first five minutes of the premiere (exclusively revealed in the clip above) set the stage for a gripping season of secrets, shifting alliances, and life-or-death decisions—all unfolding under the pressure of an impending natural disaster.
A Hospital in Turmoil
The series wastes no time plunging into the drama. Before the storm even hits, the staff of Maguire Medical Center is already buzzing with tension. Third-year emergency resident Dr. Sam Elijah (Jessie T. Usher), second-year surgical resident Dr. Tom Cole (Jack Bannon), and seasoned ER nurse Luis Dominguez (Arturo Del Puerto) are among the first to react to the bombshell news: Danny has filed a formal complaint against Xander, the hospital’s golden boy.
The revelation sends ripples through the ER, leaving colleagues stunned and forcing Danny into an uncomfortable spotlight.
“No one knows why Danny reported Xander,” Fitzgerald tells us. “But suddenly, Danny is on the back foot with all of her co-workers. They don’t know the details yet, but now it’s all out there for everybody to see.”
Meanwhile, Xander—reeling from the accusation and a suspension from the job he loves—is at his lowest point. “He’s blindsided,” Woodell explains. “He’s at rock bottom, dealing with a lot more than just professional fallout.”
A Web of Relationships Under Pressure
The premiere deftly introduces the complex dynamics between the hospital’s staff:
- Sam Elijah, Danny’s closest friend, is hurt that she didn’t confide in him. “Sam always felt like Danny would’ve come to him about something like this,” Usher reveals.
- Tom Cole, ever the provocateur, stirs the pot with his blunt opinions, drawing the ire of Danny’s sister, Dr. Harper Simms (Jessy Yates).
- Luis Dominguez, the ER’s steady hand, watches the drama unfold with the weary skepticism of someone who’s seen it all before.
As the hurricane looms, forcing the hospital into lockdown, the staff must navigate not only the chaos of incoming trauma cases but also the emotional fallout of Danny and Xander’s fractured relationship.
Truths Unravel in Flashbacks
Pulse isn’t just about the present crisis—it’s about the past that led to it. The series uses flashbacks to peel back the layers of Danny and Xander’s complicated history, challenging viewers’ assumptions along the way.
“Whatever you think you might believe at the beginning, I’m pretty sure your mind will change by the time you get deeper into the season,” says Emmy-winning co-showrunner Carlton Cuse (Lost). “We’re exploring how two people navigate a relationship with visible and invisible complications.”
Creator Zoe Robyn adds that the show deliberately avoids easy answers. “Everyone has a different reaction when they hear this kind of story without knowing the real details. The interesting part is tracking how perceptions shift as more truths come out.”
A Hurricane of Twists Ahead
Just when the staff thinks they’ve processed Danny and Xander’s scandal, another seismic revelation rocks Maguire Medical Center—one that will force everyone to question loyalties, ethics, and what it really means to do the right thing under pressure.
With 10 episodes of high-stakes medical drama, workplace intrigue, and emotional depth, Pulse promises to be one of the most addictive new series of the year.
Don’t miss the storm when Pulse premieres April 3. Will Danny and Xander’s relationship survive the fallout? And more importantly—will the hospital?