Mountain Brook actor Mason McCulley appears in ‘The Pitt’

The buzz surrounding “The Pitt,” a gritty medical drama streaming on HBO Max, is hard to miss, especially as Season 2 of the popular show is currently being released.

Whether you started watching from the beginning or binged every episode in preparation for the new season, you may not have realized a local actor was on your screen.

Mason McCulley, a Mountain Brook native and actor, appeared in Season 1, Episode 11 as Justin Swanson, an intended parent of a child born by surrogacy.

Aside from “The Pitt,” McCulley has appeared in episodes of several other popular TV shows, including:

• “Young Sheldon” — Season 5, Episode 2 (2021)
• “Insecure” — 11 episodes (2016-2018)
• “Westworld” — Season 1, Episode 4 (2016)
• “Marlon” — Season 1, Episode 1 (2017)
• “Grey’s Anatomy” — Season 8, Episode 5 (2011)

Getting the call

More recently, McCulley has made Birmingham news for his one-man show, “Carole Cook Died For My Sins,” which was at the Virginia Samford Theatre in September 2025.

In late 2024, while he was in the middle of opening night in Los Angeles, McCulley’s agent set up an appointment for an audition, and he thought there was absolutely no way he would be able to find time in the midst of his performances.

“Thankfully with my agent’s encouragement I auditioned and got the part! My episode filmed at Warner Bros. for two weeks so I was doing my play on the weekends and filming during the week. It was the dream!”

Mason McCulley

He learned on his last day of filming that one of The Pitt’s executive producers, Simran Baidwan, had seen “Carole Cook” and requested McCulley specifically.

“The last television job I did was a guest star on ‘Young Sheldon’ in 2021, and I did not know that I would return to television, so the whole experience was thrilling.”

Mason McCulley

‘Filled with gratitude’

McCulley said it was evident on set that the cast and crew were “committed to making it the best it could possibly be.”

“The set was filled with gratitude. From the actors, to transportation to hair and make-up all the way to the top executives.”

Mason McCulley

Compared to previous sets he had been on for similar shows, he said the attention to detail was unlike any other. Medical professionals were on set to ensure the situations were as authentically portrayed as possible.

“Scenes that would have taken hours on another medical drama, took days. There was a dance to it all…

“The talent is there (in Los Angeles) and the desire to work and make great television and film is stronger than ever. It was a privilege watching such a well oiled and choreographed, yet organic, machine in motion.”

Mason McCulley

McCulley continues to audition for television roles whenever he has the chance, so keep an eye out on your screens for this Alabama native.

Support back home

Wherever he appears — whether it’s the stage or the screen — McCulley receives support from his friends and family in Alabama.

Prior to his mother’s death, his parents would host a gathering when their son appeared on a TV show, no matter how small the part.

“My mother would invite the neighbors and pour champagne and my father would pick up Davenport’s pizza. Mary Anne Glazner, the late owner of Smith’s Variety and former music teacher to many Birmingham residents, lived just up the hill and would bring a chocolate cake to be served without fail.

“It wasn’t about how big the role was, it was about cheering me on and celebrating my dreams.”

Mason McCulley

He will always be excited to return to Hollywood, McCulley said, but he’s also enjoyed seeing Birmingham’s creative community grow.

Just in the last few years, several films have made their way through Birmingham, such as:

• An unnamed production starring Alec Baldwin was filming downtown earlier this year
• “The Rivals of Amziah King” starring Matthew McConaughey to be released this August
• Lifetime Christmas movie “Do You Fear What I Fear?” in 2025
• “Assassin” starring Bruce Willis in 2023
• An unnamed production about junior high basketball that sought local background actors last summer

“There is a creative force in Birmingham that is ready for more opportunity. We have the talent, enthusiasm and passion for more production, but I think our secret weapon is our hospitality. I hear so many crews from Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta raving about their time working in Birmingham.”

Mason McCulley

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