CHICAGO MED: Sarah Ramos Previews Lenox’s ‘Humdinger’ Backstory, Tension with Archer, and Halloween Hijinks

October 15, 2024 by Marisa Roffman

CHICAGO MED — “Bite Your Tongue” Episode 1002 — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)

CHICAGO MED’s Gaffney Chicago Medical Center has been shaken up this season with the arrival of Dr. Caitlin Lenox (Sarah Ramos), who was brought on to co-lead the ED with Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber).

Naturally, the two strong-willed doctors have butted heads, leading to tension and drama…all while the hospital is also trying to undertake budget cuts.

Here, Ramos talks with Give Me My Remote about Lenox’s take on her new workplace, digging into the character’s history, the upcoming Halloween episode, and more.

A lot is going on in the MED world right now. What will Lenox be up to on the Wednesday, October 16 episode, “Blurred Lines”?
Well, you know, Lenox is a straight shooter. She likes to have conversations that I’ve noticed some of the other doctors at Gaffney Medical are a little uncomfortable with. In episode 3, I simply asked Asher, “How many patients are you treating in the ED versus outside in OB triage?” And Asher reacted—she was really defensive, and was like, “Don’t cut my department.” I didn’t say I was going to cut your department! I just asked you [for] some details. And in my experience, transparency is key to a healthy workplace.

So Lenox is going to continue this trend of increasing the transparency in the workplace and asking uncomfortable questions in a way that changes the status quo as promised.

We know Goodwin is being threatened, as well. How much is Lenox involved—or aware—of that danger?
Well, I’m not sure how much Lenox is aware of the threat happening with Goodwin. Lenox has her hands full right now. She does not know her boss’ life is being threatened!

Lenox has been there a few weeks now. What is her take on the ED and the doctors so far?
She really respects the doctors. Everyone is a good doctor.

It’s hard to be trying to go run an ED with somebody who seems to really hate you and hate everything about you and not take you seriously. I think Steven Weber plays Archer in such a charming, funny way—but also[Archer’s actions are] frustrating for a woman who has worked so hard and takes her job so seriously to just get made fun of. He’s rolling [his] eyes at her constantly. It’s not an unfamiliar dynamic for a lot of women in the workplace. It’s a conflict that’s there for a reason.

What will it take for them to co-head this ED in a productive way, where they can be more collaborative versus antagonistic?
I think you saw [the possibility] with student Dr. Howard being kind of a go-between—although she had to really shoulder the weight of their dual communication and basically not talking to each other, but only talking to her. If they can help a patient by working together, I think they will. But look, I’m not gonna lie, it’s gonna get messier. And it’s gonna come to a head.

CHICAGO MED — “Sink or Swim” Episode 1001 — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)

As she’s looking at her new colleagues, in your mind, who do you think her biggest ally is?
I think that Lenox’s biggest ally is Goodwin, which I think is a good ally to have. But Goodwin, like Lenox, is really no-nonsense, and is about getting results. So it’s not like Lenox and Goodwin are besties, but they share a common goal. And Lenox is there to get there to help execute what Goodwin needs to make the ED efficient because they’re doing budget cuts.

She’s also not the only new doctor. What can you share about her dynamic with fellow newbie Frost (Darren Barnet)?
Dr. Frost and Lenox couldn’t be more different as characters coming into this show. [Laughs.] I’d like to see a little bit more…maybe Lenox was a fan of his show. I think there’s a lot we could be surprised by.

I have to ask, what was your reaction when you read that reveal about his backstory in the script? As an audience member, I laughed out loud…
I mean, same. I loved that. I think it’s hilarious. And that’s so true: A lot of former kid actors do become doctors or go into different professions. And, well, if it isn’t just charming and fun to laugh at their past. [Laughs.]

Nurse Jackie is also returning. What can you share about Lenox’s interactions with her and how much she knows about her history with the hospital?
Well, I read the script, so it was exciting, and I was shook. I was shook by what I was reading. I was like, this show pulls no punches. There is drama to the max with every character. And that’s all I’m gonna say. I won’t spoil anything!

Fair! One of the fun things coming up is Halloween…which can obviously be a mess for hospitals. How is Lenox dealing with the holiday in the ED?
Halloween night can be one of the busiest of the year, so Lenox expects the highest level of decorum. And is she going to get it? I mean, what do you think? [Laughs.]

Is she a Halloween kind of woman, or is she someone who does not care for this holiday at all because of its impact on the ED?
I think that Lenox doesn’t care for the holiday because of its impact on the ED. And she’s had a rougher time getting to know the other doctors. It’s not a self-fulfilling prophecy, necessarily, but she’s had a rough go of it in terms of the social politics of the ED. Archer and she clashed immediately, which was the opposite of what she wanted. And she’s already kind of a more guarded character, so I think she plays her cards close to the vest, and hasn’t felt completely like this is a place where she can open up.

So I think Halloween introduces kind of an awkward dynamic where you do learn a little bit more about characters, who they dress up as. And I don’t know if Lenox is ready for that.

CHICAGO MED — “Blurred Lines” Episode 1004 — Pictured: (l-r) Sarah Ramos as Dr. Caitlin Lenox, Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher — (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)

In what you’ve filmed so far, how much are we seeing of Lenox’s life and backstory outside of the ED?
You are going to learn more about Lenox’s backstory, which is a humdinger. And it’s gonna make a lot of sense as to why Lenox is the way she is. And I’m really excited for that to get deeper and deeper because Lenox is just going to unravel. And for anyone who thinks, oh, they get her off the bat—mmm, maybe you should go back and delete your tweet and write one that is positive.

How much did you know of her backstory when you signed on? Or were you surprised when you got the scripts?
I was told the broad strokes of Lenox’s backstory, and it is what made me really care about the character and be rooting for her, even though she’s been misunderstood.

From what you’ve filmed so far, which episode has been your favorite?
Honestly, the Halloween episode was really fun. I thought there was a lot of comedy added…any time that comedy comes out of these really dramatic scenarios, or like the awkwardness of Lenox interacting with these other characters, that’s my favorite thing to do.

–

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

CHICAGO MED, Wednesdays, 8/7c, NBC

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CHICAGO MED: Sarah Ramos Previews Lenox’s ‘Humdinger’ Backstory, Tension with Archer, and Halloween Hijinks

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