Entertainment
Amielynn Abellera on Bringing a Filipina-Muslim Nurse to Life in "The Pitt"
The Filipina-American actress chats with Preview about portraying Perlah in the Max hit series “The Pitt,” and the real-life medical career she nearly pursued.
Published on Apr 14, 2025
Filipino healthcare professionals have filled the halls of hospitals abroad for generations, but, in a twist of irony, the same can’t be said for the medical dramas that have aired Stateside.
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Nearly a third of foreign-born nurses are Filipino, a legacy that goes back to American colonization, when medical institutions trained locals in Western practices and English, effectively paving the way for Filipino nurses to work abroad.
But while their real-life impact in medicine is undeniable, Filipino stories have rarely made their way into the bright lights of primetime—until now. The Pitt steps in as a gripping Max original that dives into the chaos, compassion, and complexities of a single post-COVID shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Among its diverse cast of characters is Perlah Alawi, a Filipina-Muslim nurse played by Amielynn Abellera. The Filipino-American actress brings personal authenticity to the role—drawing not just from her acting background, but also from her family’s roots in healthcare.
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PHOTO: The Pitt/Max / Amielynn Abellera as Perlah Alawi in "The Pitt" Season 1 .
As The Pitt brings overdue visibility to the realities of the medical profession, it also opens the door for more nuanced Filipino representation in Hollywood. Ahead, Preview chats with Amielynn about her character, the pressure and pride of portraying a rarely-seen identity, and the journey that led her from a potential career in medicine to center stage.
Preview Exclusive: Amielynn Abellera on Portraying Filipina-Muslim Nurse Perlah Alawi in “The Pitt”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY SANDIFER / On AMIELYNN: Cropped Filipiniana Blouse, NOBLE CREATIONS.
Perlah is a Filipino-Muslim nurse—an identity rarely seen on mainstream television. What were the most challenging and rewarding aspects of bringing her to life?
“I was thrilled to get the role but also quite anxious. I felt a deep sense of responsibility to portray Perlah truthfully, who represents a significant portion of our population that remains under- and misrepresented on screen.
“Growing up Catholic, I was uneducated about Islam and its significance in one’s self. I reached out to Filipino-American Muslims in my community, who were excited to share their knowledge and answer my myriad questions: How does your faith weave into your daily life? What does it mean to wear a hijab? How might it impact one's work as a nurse? I knew I’d be unable to understand the entire breadth of the experience. But with conversations and asking questions, I felt more aware and conscientious of this essential aspect of Perlah. The reward has come with global audiences applauding The Pitt’s commitment to authentic representation and diversity. I’m proud to contribute.”
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PHOTO: The Pitt/Max / Taylor Dearden as Dr. Mel King and Amielynn as Perlah in "The Pitt" Season 1.
What was the most eye-opening insight you gained from those conversations?
“Working alongside The Pitt’s medical team–real-life nurses, doctors, perfusionists, etc.–deepened my admiration and respect for their continued contributions. Until I heard their personal stories, I didn’t truly understand the gravity of COVID’s impact on their lives. While we sheltered in place, they immersed themselves in dangerous environments every day, pummeled with harrowing and hasty decisions.
“Similar to Dr. Robby (played by Noah Wyle), they were continually trapped in impossible situations, ultimately losing many loved ones. These deep wounds have not had time to heal. They continue to work, carrying this PTSD in addition to the existing challenges of a strained healthcare system. The Pitt provides a space for audiences to applaud and reflect on the continued efforts of our healthcare heroes.”
You’ve previously spoken about having a “eureka” moment on a train when you realized you wanted to be an actor. Were there any lingering doubts afterward, or was it an immediate, irreversible decision?
“I am absolutely not without doubts. This career is filled with uncertainty, and I have no control over the next day, the next year, or the next five years. It’s challenging to maintain the stamina and resilience required to stay positive in an ever-changing journey.
“I’m forever grateful for that moment on the train. It's necessary for me to reflect on it often, to remind myself of my deep love for the art and how I can't–don't want to live without it.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY SANDIFER.
Your family is deeply rooted in healthcare. How did they react when you chose acting over medicine, and how has their perspective evolved over time?
“I falsely perceived my parents as being unsupportive of my decision to pursue acting. Reflecting back, it was challenging for me to take responsibility for my ambivalence and much easier to attribute it to a lack of parental encouragement.
“My parents were quite supportive. They didn't flinch–at least not outwardly–when I switched gears from medical to acting school. They traveled near and far to attend all my shows and were thrilled when I was accepted to USC [University of Southern California]. They continue to be my biggest cheerleaders, and their joy and pride give me so much strength to keep at it.”
When you were growing up, Filipino representation on screen was scarce. Now that you’re part of that change, what do you hope young Filipino viewers take away from seeing you in The Pitt?
“I feel deep gratitude and admiration for the Filipino artists I saw on screen growing up. The breadth of opportunities exists today as a result of their journey and determination to open doors. As a young artist, witnessing their achievements empowered me to grow my own passion and champion my heritage.
“I hope the recent expanse of Filipino experiences in art–film, television, theatre–and beyond, like cuisine, sports, fashion, music–continues to encourage all audiences to embrace diversity and make active efforts to broaden representation in all spaces.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY SANDIFER.
What would your dream Filipino-led film or TV show look like—one where you're either starring, writing, or producing?
“I’d love a story exploring the relationship between a Filipino and a Filipino American, and how each of their unique connections to a shared heritage can complicate, strain, and result in complex misunderstandings of how they each experience the world.
“Also, I'm currently writing a script titled Congruence. It follows a character named Alex–a queer, Filipina-American, new mother who finds herself risking her parole and family's safety to save a mysterious woman from a Filipino trafficking ring. I’d love to play the role of Alex!
“Right now, I’m absolutely enthralled by two books that explore a Filipino-American experience: The Farm by Joanne Ramos and America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo. Both are incredible stories that I aspire to develop into films one day.”
If you could give advice to aspiring Filipino actors who might feel torn between a “practical” career and a creative passion, what would you tell them?
“I wish I had useful advice and a guidebook to navigating that conflict. Reflecting back on the experience, I realize now that it was crucial for me to sit in the discomfort between practicality and passion. I needed to truly feel torn. Only then could I fully embrace each side and ultimately understand which one I couldn’t live without.”
The Pitt is streaming on Max.
Photographer: Emily Sandifer
Hair and Makeup: Patrick Santa Ana
Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen
Kat is Preview's Lifestyle Editor, explorer, and occasional rhymer. When not globe-trotting, she's over her computer, writing her next big novel.