After the end of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, by late 2023, Netflix restarted acquiring upcoming projects for development. One of those projects is Pulse, a “provocative” medical drama set in Miami, Florida.
Editor’s Note: We first contacted Netflix in May 2023 to ask about Pulse, and we got no official response. At their request, we waited for an official announcement. Due to staffing issues, the news was officially broken on February 29th, 2024, without our inclusion.
Netflix’s Pulse is created by veteran writer and producer Carlton Cuse, who will also serve as showrunner. Cuse’s credits include such major series as Lost, The Strain, Locke & Key, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and more.
Carlton Cuse
Serving as the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the show is Zoe Robyn, best known for The Equalizer.
Kate Dennis (The Handmaid’s Tale, New Amsterdam) has been tapped to direct the first two episodes of the series and will also serve as executive producer on Episodes 101 and 102.
Emma Forman, Zoe Robyn, and Bradley Gardner are on board to produce for Genre Arts and Busy B Entertainment production companies.
What’s the plot of Netflix’s Pulse?
The plot of Netflix’s Pulse was largely under wraps until the official reveal, with no significant details. That being said, we were provided a very brief logline for Pulse in late 2023:
“A provocative medical series which examines the power dynamics and personal relationships of the men and women saving lives within Miami’s busiest hospital”
Our understanding is that one of the main storylines of the series will emulate the “me too” movement and that internally at Netflix, it’s been dubbed as their version of Grey’s Anatomy.
When Netflix officially unveiled the project it added a little more meat to the bones with the synopsis:
“While the staff of Miami’s busiest Level 1 Trauma Center navigate medical emergencies, young ER doc Dani Simms is unexpectedly promoted to Chief Resident amidst the fallout of her own provocative romantic relationship.”
Who is cast in Pulse?
Justina Machado – Credit: Leigh Keily
As of March 2024, publicly, we only know about one person for Pulse so far, and that’s Justina Machado.
Appearing in two other Netflix titles over the years (One Day at a Time and All Together Now) Machado will play the role of Natalie Cruz, described as “a brilliant and politically-savvy doctor, who oversees both administration and medicine in her role as the Chair of Surgery and Emergency Medicine.”
How many episodes will be in Pulse?
The number of episodes for Pulse hasn’t been revealed yet, but as per Netflix’s usual standard, it’s possibly between eight and ten.
What’s the production status of Pulse?
As of February 2024, Netflix’s Pulse is in pre-production, with the plan for the cameras to start rolling on March 25, 2024. Filming is expected to last until August of this year.
Although the series is set in Miami, Florida, filming for Pulse will primarily take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is famous in the TV industry for being the home of the iconic series Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
What’s the Netflix release date for Pulse?
Netflix hasn’t confirmed a release date or window for Pulse yet, but with filming wrapping in August 2024, we can see a clear 2025 release for this one.
Contains additional reporting from Kasey Moore.