Actress Laura Innes is instantly recognizable for her portrayal of Dr. Kerry Weaver on ER, but she’s also been hard at work behind the camera, directing episodes of both ER and The West Wing.
Is acting taking a back seat to the allure of directing? And exactly which show does Innes think will win for Outstanding Drama at the upcoming Emmys? The 45-year-old actress sat down with us to discuss.
Laura, how’s it feel to be back on the set?
Innes: It’s been great. We’ve been back since July, but I spent some time with the family in the south of France over the summer. We rented a house with another couple and took it easy. It’s something we like to do each year, taking a long vacation.
Happy to step back into the role of Kerry Weaver?
Innes: Oh yeah. I mean, I can’t really say much about what happens thus far, but I can tell you that Carrie’s a bit disappointed as the season begins. Some things that she expected to happen at the end of last season don’t end up happening for her.
Gotcha. Well, I’m sure you’re excited about the Emmys coming up in September. You guys are up for Outstanding Drama again—and your co-star, Maura Tierney, got the nod this time as well. How do you like her chances?
Innes: Oh, I love her. I mean, since I worked on The West Wing also, it’s kind of hard to choose, since [The West Wing‘s] Allison Janney‘s nominated too. It’s like choosing between two sisters to me. Although, since Allison won last year, it would be nice for Maura to win.
Sally Field snagged a nomination as well—a guest-star nomination for her work as Maura‘s sick mother. It appears the Academy’s certainly recognizing their storyline from last season, but you also had your share of breakout episodes, dealing with the bisexuality issue. Will that storyline be continued this fall?
Innes: Yeah, we’re keeping that a-going. But Elizabeth Mitchell—the actress who played Kerry’s lover, Dr. Legaspi—won’t be returning this season. She got involved with a new show, called The Beast. I’m not sure how it’s doing.
Kerry’s gone through hell in the past—maternity issues, handicap issues and now the bisexuality angle. Do you feel the show’s staying as fresh as it was when you started in ’95?
Innes: Oh, gosh. I think so. The thing with Kerry is that all of this is a natural progression, her troubles. It’s a cycle. But I think it’s a good thing.
Well, the progression of your career is certainly impressive, adding the title “director” to your plate after helming episodes of both ER and The West Wing. Is the set of The West Wing as hectic as ER‘s?
Innes: They’re pretty similar shows, actually. It gets pretty crazy on both sets. You’ve got the long hours on both—the long scripts. But the people are great on both shows.
Did you find the directing experience more rewarding than acting?
Innes: No, not more rewarding, just more challenging. More demanding. But with directing, you end up learning so much. It teaches you a lot about acting, actually.
So you’ll be directing again in the near future?
Innes: Oh sure. I’ll be doing an ER later this season. Absolutely.
Speaking of the near future, ER‘s going to be going through a bit of a defection at the end of this season, with Eriq La Salle and Anthony Edwards leaving. Are you planning on staying put for a while?
Innes: Yeah, I’ll be here for a while. I’ve got at least two more years left on ER.
Very good. So, any major plot twists in store for Kerry in the near future? Anything you can divulge without fear of brutal reprimand?
Innes: Um, I’m not sure what I’m allowed to share with you. Everything’s under wraps for now. Let’s see, what I can tell you is that there will be some tension between Malucci [played by Eric Palladino] and Chen [played by Ming-Na], and Kerry will get involved in the middle of that. That’s really about it.
Interesting. Well, time to put ya on the spot: what’s your Emmy prediction for Outstanding Drama—ER or West Wing?
Innes: Oh no! Gosh. Well, I guess I have to say that this is The West Wing‘s year. I think now’s the time for that show.
