How Katherine LaNasa Mastered Her “The Pitt” Accent: Insider Secrets

When Katherine LaNasa took on the role of Dana Evans, the no-nonsense charge nurse on HBO Max’s popular medical series “The Pitt,” she didn’t jump straight to a dialect coach. Instead, she found herself in the bathtub.

The Emmy-winning actress for her supporting role in a drama series dove into the world of prestige TV while perfecting Dana’s distinctive Pittsburgh accent. Drawing inspiration from standout performances like Lisa Ann Walter’s in “Abbott Elementary” and Julianne Nicholson’s in “Mare of Easttown,” LaNasa immersed herself in the accent, even though it wasn’t a perfect match for Pittsburgh. “I was watching them, even though I knew it wasn’t exactly that [accent] for Pittsburgh,” LaNasa shared with Variety. “I just wanted to get a sense of it, and I would listen to it when I was in the bathtub.”

LaNasa’s journey to fame wasn’t typical. After marrying actor Dennis Hopper at a young age, LaNasa, a professional dancer and choreographer, had limited acting experience. Her ventures into acting began out of curiosity and a desire to learn from the best. Discovering a documentary about renowned acting teacher Sanford Meisner while renovating her home and expecting her son, she decided to seek him out. Studying with Meisner for nearly three years marked the true start of her acting career.