Summary:
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Pulse is a 10-episode medical drama now streaming on Netflix.
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The show stars Willa Fitzgerald as Danielle “Danny” Simms, a third-year resident facing new responsibilities.
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The ensemble includes actors from The Boys, The Vampire Diaries, and Queen of the South.
What Is Netflix’s Pulse About and Who Leads the Cast?
Netflix’s latest medical drama, Pulse, follows the fast-paced lives of residents at the fictional Maguire Medical Center in Miami. The story centers around Danielle “Danny” Simms, a third-year Emergency Medicine resident who’s suddenly promoted after the suspension of her superior—and secret lover—Dr. Xander Phillips. As workplace politics and romantic tensions intensify, Pulse blends emotional drama with gripping medical emergencies.
Pulse Netflix Cast Guide: Where You’ve Seen Them Before
| Actor | Character | Role Description | Where You’ve Seen Them Before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willa Fitzgerald | Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms | Third-year ER resident thrust into Chief Resident role amid a hurricane and scandal | Scream (MTV series, Emma Duval), Reacher (Roscoe Conklin), The Fall of the House of Usher (Madeline Usher) |
| Colin Woodell | Dr. Xander Phillips | Suspended Chief Resident with a secret past, entangled romantically with Danny | The Originals (Aiden), The Flight Attendant (Buckley Ware), The Continental (Winston Scott) |
| Justina Machado | Dr. Natalie Cruz | Chair of Surgery and Emergency Medicine, a mentor and authority figure | One Day at a Time (Penelope Alvarez), Queen of the South (Brenda Parra), Six Feet Under (Vanessa Diaz) |
| Jessie T. Usher | Dr. Sam Elijah | Danny’s competitive yet supportive best friend, a third-year ER resident | The Boys (A-Train), Independence Day: Resurgence (Dylan Hiller), Survivor’s Remorse (Cam Calloway) |
| Jack Bannon | Dr. Tom Cole | Witty second-year surgical resident with personal struggles | Pennyworth (Alfred Pennyworth), Endeavour (Sam Thursday), The Imitation Game (Christopher Morcom) |
| Jessy Yates | Dr. Harper Simms | Danny’s free-spirited younger sister, a second-year ER resident | Me (Apple TV+, Charlie), Law & Order: SVU (guest roles), Skillsville (short film) |
| Daniela Nieves | Camila Perez | Optimistic third-year medical student navigating hospital challenges | Vampire Academy (Lissa Dragomir), Every Witch Way (Andi Cruz), Five Points (Ananda) |
| Chelsea Muirhead | Dr. Sophie Chan | Ambitious surgical intern aiming to rise in the hospital hierarchy | Burden (short film), Hollyoaks (guest roles), emerging talent with limited prior mainstream exposure |
| Néstor Carbonell | Dr. Ruben Soriano | Respected senior surgeon, demanding yet passionate | Lost (Richard Alpert), Bates Motel (Sheriff Romero), The Morning Show (Yanko Flores), Shōgun (Rodrigues) |
| J.R. Ramirez | Dr. Patrick Sanchez | Charming ER attending who takes over leadership, with a history tied to Xander | Manifest (Jared Vasquez), Jessica Jones (Oscar Arocho), Power (Julio Romano) |
| Jessica Rothe | Cass Himmelstein | Senior ER nurse who uncovers Danny and Xander’s relationship | Happy Death Day (Tree Gelbman), Virgin River (upcoming role), Forever My Girl (Josie) |
| Arturo Del Puerto | Luis Dominguez | Beloved ER charge nurse, a key support figure in the chaos | The Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller’s investigator), For All Mankind (Octavio Rosales), Godfather of Harlem |
| Santiago Segura | Gabriel Moreno | ER nurse caught up in the hospital’s interpersonal dramas | Scream (MTV series, Gustavo Acosta), Walker: Independence (Luis Lopez), Grey’s Anatomy (guest role) |
| Ash Santos | Nia Washington | EMT facing the storm’s emergencies alongside the ER team | Mayor of Kingstown (Coco), Our Little Secret (Sofia), American Horror Story: Apocalypse (Emily) |
| Sophia Torres | Vero Cruz | Natalie’s daughter, adding personal stakes for her mother | 9-1-1: Lone Star (guest role), Come Find Me (short film), emerging actress with growing presence |
| Charlayne Woodard | Dr. Lucy Broussard | Senior ER attending with unorthodox methods and a tough demeanor | Pose (Helena St. Rogers), The Blacklist (Elizabeth Keen’s therapist), Unbreakable (Elijah’s mother) |
Willa Fitzgerald headlines the series as Danny, bringing her previous thriller and drama experience to the role. The 10-episode series is now streaming on Netflix.
READ MORE: Pulse Ending Explained: What Happens to Danny in the Netflix Drama
Who Plays Danielle “Danny” Simms in Pulse?
Willa Fitzgerald takes on the lead role of Danielle “Danny” Simms, a determined third-year Emergency Medicine resident. Danny’s career path shifts dramatically when she is unexpectedly promoted due to the suspension of the current chief resident, Xander Phillips, her secret boyfriend.
Where have you seen Willa Fitzgerald before?
Fitzgerald is best known for her role as Emma Duval in MTV’s horror series Scream, which ran for three seasons. Her performances often blend vulnerability with strength, making her a fitting choice to lead Pulse.
Who Is Xander Phillips and Which Actor Plays Him in Pulse?
Colin Woodell plays Xander Phillips, the suspended chief resident of Emergency Medicine at Maguire Hospital. Coming from a prestigious medical family, Xander finds himself at the center of controversy following a colleague’s report—and his secret relationship with Danny.
Where have you seen Colin Woodell before?
Woodell appeared in The Originals, a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, and most recently starred in the film Fly Me to the Moon alongside Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum.
READ MORE: 1923 Timeline Breakdown and What Season 2’s Setting Means
Who Is Sam Elijah and Where Have You Seen Jessie T. Usher Before?
Jessie T. Usher portrays Sam Elijah, another third-year Emergency Medicine resident. While generally supportive of Danny, Sam is fiercely competitive and expected to receive the promotion himself.
Where have you seen Jessie T. Usher before?
Usher is widely recognized for his role as A-Train in Amazon Prime’s superhero satire The Boys, where he plays a high-speed antihero navigating fame and corruption.
Who Is Natalie Cruz in Pulse and Who Plays Her?
Justina Machado plays Natalie Cruz, the Chair of Surgery and Emergency Medicine at Maguire Hospital. A seasoned leader, Cruz commands respect in the hospital’s high-pressure environment.
Where have you seen Justina Machado before?
Machado is known for her roles in Queen of the South, Law & Order, and the Netflix sitcom One Day at a Time.
READ MORE: How to Take Down Guardian Fulgur Anjanath Like a Pro in Monster Hunter Wilds
Who Plays Tom Cole and What Is His Role in Pulse?
Jack Bannon takes on the role of Tom Cole, a surgical resident at the hospital. While not as central as some characters, Cole plays a key part in the surgical department’s dynamics.
Where have you seen Jack Bannon before?
Bannon is best known for his portrayal of Alfred Pennyworth in Pennyworth, a DC Comics-based series exploring the early life of Batman’s butler.
Who Is Camila Perez and What Has Daniela Nieves Starred In?
Daniela Nieves plays Camila Perez, a third-year medical student navigating the challenges of hospital life and the expectations placed on residents.
Where have you seen Daniela Nieves before?
Nieves gained popularity as Andi Cruz in Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way and its spin-off WITS Academy.
READ MORE: Everything About MobLand: Did Taylor Sheridan Create the Paramount+ Crime Drama?
Who Is Sophie Chan in Pulse and Where Have You Seen Chelsea Muirhead?
Chelsea Muirhead plays Sophie Chan, a medical intern at Maguire Hospital. As one of the newest team members, Chan often finds herself under pressure from more experienced residents and doctors.
Where have you seen Chelsea Muirhead before?
Muirhead has appeared in films such as A Chef’s Deadly Revenge and Adult Adoption, showcasing her range in both drama and thrillers.
Who Is Harper Simms and Who Portrays Her in Pulse?
Jessy Yates portrays Harper Simms, a second-year Emergency Medicine resident and Danny’s younger sister. Their sibling relationship adds another layer of complexity to the hospital’s interpersonal web.
Where have you seen Jessy Yates before?
Yates has appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama (Acting Class of 2022), she made history as the institution’s first wheelchair-using student.
Streaming Details:
Pulse is available to stream exclusively on Netflix as of April 4, 2025. The 10-episode series is available globally for subscribers.
Source: Cosmopolitan
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