Sherry Stringfield Sets Sights on Something "Different"

• Jun 26, 2008 09:36 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

She isn't doling out tough love as ER's Dr. Susan Lewis anymore. On In Plain Sight (Sundays at 10 pm/ET, USA), Sherry Stringfield plays against type as a wife in denial about her shifty art-dealer spouse. Our prescription: You've gotta watch. - G.J. Donnelly

TV Guide: How does your character land in Witness Protection?
Sherry Stringfield: There are these cool art people in New York, and she discovers this big scam that's going on and a murder happens. She has to go into witness protection because people are making millions off of this. She's very devoted to her husband, and it's different from what I normally play. She's very naïve about his behavior and keeps thinking this a great guy and nothing's going on in the face of him being basically arrested.

TV Guide: What attracted you to the show?
Stringfield: I think it's a cool idea. I'm surprised no one had done it. What does happen to people in the witness protection program? I like the style of it. I love New Mexico. I think Mary McCormack is a great actress.

TV Guide: You've been very busy since ER with stints on Shark and Tell Me You Love Me. What roles excite you?
Stringfield: It's not necessarily the role, but it's more the project. I just did the remake of [the 1987 horror film] The Stepfather. I play a lesbian, and my girlfriend is murdered. I like difference. Something new, a different perspective. ER was a different perspective on the medical perspective. NYPD Blue was a different perspective on cops.

TV Guide: Would you join another series?
Stringfield: If it was the right series, yeah. If was something innovative, I think I could.

TV Guide: You're not a doctor but you played one on ER for 11 seasons. Do you get requests for medical advice?
Stringfield: [ Laughs] Thank God, no! 'Cause they would be in some big trouble.

TV Guide: Which of the ER doctors would you want treating you?
Stringfield: Dr. Lewis! Rock and roll!

TV Guide: Reflections on ER?
Stringfield: It's a chief part of my life. I guess how hard it is for a series to keep fresh and good and stay true to character. That becomes harder and harder. You have to stay on it even more. You have to fight.... [ ER] isn't a soap opera. This isn't about my hair. It's a successful machine and it requires a lot of work. You have to stand your ground. A great lesson for me.