The news was announced on Amy Poehler ’s Good Hang podcast, where the longtime ER fan unveiled the cover before Noah joined her. The 55-year-old actor, best known for ER and HBO’s The Pitt , has been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2026. After playing doctors on television for years, Noah Wyle has a new reason to be in the spotlight.
In the second season, Sepideh Moafi joined the main cast as Dr Baran Al-Hashimi, whereas Supriya Ganesh, as Dr Mohan, exited the show after two seasons.
The series features an ensemble cast including Katherine LaNasa as charge nurse Dana Evans, Patrick Ball as senior resident Dr Frank Langdon, Fiona Dourif as resident Dr Cassie McKay, Taylor Dearden as Dr Melissa “Mel” King, Isa Briones as Dr Trinity Santos, Gerran Howell as Dr Dennis Whitaker, Shawn Hatosy as Dr Jack Abbot and Shabana Azeez as medical student Victoria Javadi.
People launched the annual tradition in 1985, with Mel Gibson becoming its first cover star. Taking the news in his stride, the actor joked about what the title might bring, before admitting that his friends and family would have plenty to say about it. “I hope this changes everything. I hope it’s just wine and roses, milk and honey from here on out. [Laughs] No, I don’t, but I am going to take a lot of ribbing from friends and family for sure. Over the years, the honour has gone to several Hollywood favourites, including Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Michael B Jordan, John Legend and Idris Elba.
Noah succeeds Jonathan Bailey, who made history last year as the first openly gay man to receive the Sexiest Man Alive title.
Noah Wyle’s career comeback with The Pitt
Noah Wyle’s latest achievement comes as his career enjoys a new high, thanks to The Pitt. The role made him a familiar face on television and earned him three Golden Globe nominations and five Emmy nominations, though he did not win either award for his work on the show. After ER, Noah continued to take on roles in films and television, but The Pitt has brought him back into the spotlight in a big way. Each episode covers one hour of that shift, giving viewers an intense, close-up look at the pressure, uncertainty and difficult decisions that shape life in an emergency room.
He first shot to fame in 1994 as medical student John Carter in NBC’s medical drama ER. His performance has earned him some of the biggest honours of his career, including the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2026. He also won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in both 2025 and 2026. The Pitt is set to return for a third season in January 2027. The Pitt is an American medical drama that unfolds in real time, with each season following a single 15-hour shift in a hospital emergency department.
He plays Dr Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a senior doctor juggling the demands of a busy hospital and the challenges that come with the job.
