Our latest digital cover for Popternative Magazine features actor Ash Santos who stars as Nia Washington in Netflix’s new medical drama series, Pulse.
The series, which dropped worldwide on Netflix on April 3, follows the personal and professional lives of emergency and surgical residents at Maguire Hospital, a trauma center in Miami, during a race for Emergency Medicine Chief Resident. Santos’s character is an EMT who gets injured during the hurricane and is in need of surgery at the hospital.
In our exclusive chat with our April 2025 cover star, Ash discusses preparing for her role in the medical drama series, learning experiences she gained from on set, behind the scenes stories, and teases her next project.
Photos for Popternative Magazine by BUKUNMI
Stylist: Tamala Clarice
Stylist Assist: Marche’ Travani
MUA and Creative Director: Alexis Cascio
Hair: Jeelan Nadirah Aleem
What can you tell us about the research and preparation for your role in Pulse?
Ash Santos (AS) : I didn’t know much about being an EMT, so I got in touch with a paramedic through a friend of mine and picked their brain. [I asked] why they chose this career, what their training looked like, and so on. And then once we got to set, Kathryn [Smith-McGlynn] and I went through a crash course on everything we’d be doing in the scenes. Turns out working the stretcher is one of the hardest parts!
What was it like getting a breakdown for your character before filming?
AS: The role of Nia came as an offer from Netflix after I had read for two other roles on the show. Zoe [Robyn] and Carlton [Cuse] called me to say congratulations, and they gave me the whole breakdown on Nia and her journey throughout the show, which got me even more excited. It very much felt like this was the perfect role for me.
What were some learning experiences you gained from Pulse from an acting perspective?
AS: I learned to really trust myself. A lot of my work in season one takes place in a hospital bed, and that was a first for me. It helped me to really use stillness to my advantage.
Are there any funny stories from on set you can share with us?
AS: The scene in episode one where I’m grabbing supplies to head back out and end up telling off Cole [played by Jack Bannon], in every take I had to keep picking up my EMT bag and fling it over my shoulder. And one take in particular, my bag had somehow gotten wrapped around the leg of the chair, so I went to leave and ended up flinging the chair across the hall!
What upcoming projects of yours should we be on the lookout for?
AS: I‘m so thrilled about what’s coming next. I can’t say too much because it hasn’t been officially announced, but my next project is actually my first leading role in a film. It’s a really moving story with a writer whose work I deeply admire and a director I’m beyond excited to collaborate with. It’s the kind of project that feels truly aligned with where I want to go as an artist.
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Pulse is streaming on Netflix
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