MELINA KANAKAREDES
“The Resident” isn’t the first time Melina Kanakaredes has played a doctor, but she appreciates coming at the profession from a different direction now.
Before her “CSI: NY” stint, the daytime-drama veteran portrayed a small-town medic on “Providence.” She agrees that was a relatively genteel depiction, but her co-starring role as Dr. Lane Hunter on Fox’s current Monday medical drama is meant to examine what’s wrong with – and what might be done about – a system that sometimes seems more concerned with economics than with the best possible care of patients.
“This is so different from ‘Providence,’ ” the friendly Kanakaredes concurs. “We had an unapologetically sweet show where story lines were just properly, beautifully wrapped up. (The thing about) this series that really attracted me is that I see this show as helping us in our future.
“We are all going to deal with situations with loved ones, and with ourselves, and being your own self-advocate in a hospital situation is so important. I’ve learned so much being a part of this show. I did a lot of research. I’ve been in hospitals. I’ve followed surgeons. I’ve done all of that stuff for roles in the past, but they kind of don’t show every aspect.”
Kanakaredes reflects, “I had a wise friend tell me once that you call your doctor by his first name, the name his mother gave him. In my culture, doctors are gods, and it’s nice to remind yourself that they are human beings ... really great human beings who are brilliantly talented, and human beings who sometimes make mistakes. And what I love about this show is that we are getting a picture of every aspect, and the humor and the joy and the relationships. It’s a wonderful balance between the personal aspects of these characters and their professional lives.”
Birthdate: April 23, 1967
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
Current residence: Los Angeles
Marital status: Married; has two daughters
Other television work includes: “Notorious,” “Extant,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Into the Fire,” “CSI: NY,” “CSI: Miami,” “Providence,” “Saint Maybe,” “Oz,” “The Practice,” “Leaving L.A.,” “NYPD Blue,” “New York News,” “Due South,” “Guiding Light”