'The Pitt' season 2 release schedule: When do new episodes premiere on HBO Max?

Ready to have "The Pitt" back on your screens? HBO Max's critically acclaimed, realistic medical drama is returning for "The Pitt" season 2 this week, and expectations couldn't be much higher. The series plays as a combination of "ER" and "24" and debuted last year to rave reviews: TG writer Malcolm McMillan proclaimed it the best TV show of 2025, above the likes of "Andor" and "Adolescence."

And, less than a year after that season 1 finale, we're about to be reunited with Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) and the staff of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital for another 15-hour shift. "The Pitt" season 2 takes place 10 months on from the action of the first, and plays out in real-time once again, this time taking place over the Fourth of July weekend.

Early signs point to this second chapter being another must-watch — "The Pitt" season 2 is currently sitting at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes — and if you're desperate to follow along once more, here's the full release schedule for "The Pitt" season 2 so you know exactly when every episode will drop.

'The Pitt' season 2 episode release schedule

The Pitt Season 2 | Official Trailer | HBO Max - YouTube

Watch On

As before, "The Pitt" season 12 is 15 episodes long, and new episodes will premiere at 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET on a weekly basis from January 8, 2026, through to the season 2 finale (which is slated for release on April 16).

Here's the full "The Pitt" season 2 episode release schedule, as it currently stands:

• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 1 - January 8
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 2 - January 15
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 3 - January 22
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 4 - January 29
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 5 - February 5
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 6 - February 12
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 7 - February 19
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 8 - February 26
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 9 - March 5
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 10 - March 12
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 11 - March 19
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 12 - March 26
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 13 - April 2
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 14 - April 9
• "The Pitt" season 2 episode 15 - April 16

Is 'The Pitt' season 3 happening?

Mere hours after this story was first published, and I said, "we don't yet know whether "The Pitt" will be renewed," we learned that, yes, "The Pitt" season 3 is happening. Granted, given the show's reputation and no fewer than five Emmy wins, that's no big surprise.

News of the show's renewal emerged at the season two premiere event in LA (as reported by Deadline), ahead of "The Pitt's" official return. Previously, we were halfway through season 1 before we learned HBO had ordered a second season of "The Pitt" last year, so this feels like a real big vote of confidence in both the latest batch of episodes and the show's future more broadly.

One thing we don't have right now? A potential "The Pitt" season 3 release window, though we'd hope to see the hit medical drama return within a year, but we can only speculate at present. As soon as we get more news about "The Pitt" season 3, we'll be sure to share it here.

Want to ensure you're making the most of your HBO Max subscription? Be sure to check out our round-up of all the best HBO Max shows for more streaming suggestions to watch between episodes of "The Pitt" season 2.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Tom's Guide

• New on HBO Max in January 2026
• "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms": everything we know
• "The White Lotus" season 4: release speculation, casting rumors, location, and more