A Barry-born actor has been shortlisted for one of television’s biggest honours following his performance in a major US drama series.
Gerran Howell, 35, has been nominated for an Emmy Award in the Drama Supporting Actor category for his role as Dr Dennis Whitaker in HBO’s The Pitt. Howell plays a gentle but naïve doctor in the fast‑paced medical drama, which follows staff working a single 15‑hour shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Centre.
The series has become a global hit and has earned praise from healthcare professionals for its realistic portrayal of emergency medicine. Its cast and crew have received widespread recognition, with The Pitt securing 25 nominations at this year’s awards — the highest of any show — including 13 acting nods.
While the ensemble features several well‑known names, Howell’s appearance will be particularly familiar to people in Barry. He grew up in the town and attended Barry Comprehensive School before going on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Local audiences may also remember him from earlier roles, including Private Parry in 1917 and Vlad in CBBC’s Young Dracula, the comedy‑drama about a vampire family relocating from Transylvania to rural Wales.
In a message shared on his Instagram story, Howell said the nomination felt “completely surreal”.
“To be nominated for an Emmy or even considered feels completely surreal for this little Welsh boy!” he wrote.
“I feel unbelievably lucky to be part of a show made by people who give everything to it, every single day. There are performances in this cast that deserve every bit of recognition in the world, and I feel very lucky to have been anywhere near them.”
He also thanked the Television Academy and viewers who have supported the series.
Production on season three of The Pitt is already underway, with Howell and the rest of the cast continuing filming.
The 78th Emmy Awards will take place on 14 September at the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Officers given additional powers following King Square anti-social behaviour
Historic Llantwit Major Town Hall clock restored after 15-year effort
New QR codes let residents report overflowing bins across the Vale
Vale Council launches new scheme to tackle chewing gum-stained pavements
Penarth Remembrance Parade will go ahead after traffic management agreement reached
Summer wildfires were “extremely challenging” for firefighters
Senedd calls for disused coal tips action and inclusion of Aberfan in school curriculum
Barry Town Council unveils plans for new heritage centre
More than 6 million people visited the Vale in 2025 according to new figures
Welsh organisation Luna’s Light calls for children to learn about grief
Welsh Tory leader calls for the declaration of a “health emergency” in Wales
Funded childcare for all two-year-olds to expand across Vale of Glamorgan
The first steps have been taken to deliver a £4m cycle track to the Welsh capital
Leo praised by RNLI after raising alarm for two boys caught by rising tide
Engineering works to disrupt Vale of Glamorgan rail services during Half Term
Penarth Pier Pavilion Cinema voted one of the best 15 cinemas in the UK
Vale community invited to stand together against domestic abuse at White Ribbon Day candle vigil
Barry Museum plans spring 2027 reopening following repair work
Plans approved for new Aldi supermarket in Barry
Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan is calling for a national effort to strengthen Britain's defences against AI