Warner Bros faces jury trial over allegations The Pitt derives from ER

A legal dispute over the HBO Max series The Pitt will proceed to discovery and a jury trial after a panel of California appeal court judges affirmed a lower court ruling against Warner Bros, Deadline and The Wrap reported on November 4, 2026. The lawsuit, brought by the estate of Michael Crichton, alleges that the Noah Wyle drama is derivative of the 1994 series ER. [1][2]

The Court of Appeal rejected attempts by Warner Bros to block the litigation, following oral arguments heard two months earlier, according to Deadline and The Wrap. The appellate court ruled that the estate presented sufficient evidence that The Pitt violates a frozen rights provision in the original 1994 agreement for ER, The Wrap reported. [1][2]

The Emmy-winning television series starring Noah Wyle is currently deep into production for its third season despite the ongoing two-year-old legal battle, Deadline reported. Warner Bros. Pictures is an American film studio and distribution arm headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California. [1][5]