Tracy Ifeachor Reveals Secret Behind Dr. Collins’ Red Fleece
Tracy Ifeachor, known for her role as Dr. Heather Collins on HBO Max’s ‘The Pitt’, recently revealed in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE that her character’s iconic red fleece jacket was a last-minute addition during production. Ifeachor shared that the set where they filmed was “absolutely freezing,” and she even had hot water bottles pressed against her to stay warm between takes.
According to Ifeachor, the show’s executive producer, John Wells, noticed her discomfort with the cold and instructed the costume team to help her out. “The stages we filmed on are absolutely freezing,” Ifeachor explained. “One day we could see our breath.” She emphasized her aversion to the cold, jokingly mentioning that she prefers her surroundings to be warm.
To combat the chill on set, Ifeachor relied on hot water bottles to keep warm during breaks in filming. She recounted how, at the start of production, she was given six fleeces from the costume department after Wells noticed she looked cold. This led to her character Dr. Collins sporting the now-signature red chunky fleece throughout the season.
Given the show’s setting in an emergency room in Pittsburgh during a 15-hour shift, the fleece has become a distinctive part of Dr. Collins’ look. Ifeachor recalls feeling goosebumps during filming and appreciates the thoughtful gesture of providing her with additional warmth on set.
During her time filming ‘The Pitt’, Ifeachor also had the chance to connect with the team from the show ‘Abbott Elementary’, as they shared the same studio. They all commiserated about the chilly filming conditions and the kind assistant directors who ensured she had hot water bottles to keep her warm.
While Ifeachor kept the details of her on-set experiences private, she did mention the unfortunate loss of her wedding ring during production. Despite her efforts to locate the sentimental piece of jewelry, it never resurfaced on the bustling set. She sought solace from her co-star Noah Wyle, who assured her that she was still married.
As the first season wrapped, Ifeachor remains hopeful that her missing wedding ring will be found once they resume filming for season 2. Reflecting on her experience, she joked about the challenges faced on set, including the lost ring, and expressed gratitude for the show’s positive reception.
Fans can catch Tracy Ifeachor in action as Dr. Heather Collins on ‘The Pitt’, now streaming on HBO Max.
