Mekia Cox – Chicago Med

By starrymag | January 3, 2017

By: Dana Jacoviello

 

Q) What was it that attracted you to this role on “Chicago Med?”

 

A) I’m starting to believe more and more that we, as actors, don’t actually pick the roles as the roles sort of pick us. There’s something that happens when I read certain scripts. There’s an immediate connection to certain roles. It’s hard to explain, but it’s almost like I know when a role is for me as soon as I open up a script. And I can say that definitely happened with this particular role on “Chicago Med.” I also enjoy being able to portray women who are hard workers or have some sort of strength of character. Those are typically the type of roles I’m drawn to.

 

Q) Dr. Rhodes comes from strained family relationships as does your character. Do you feel that might pose a threat to him maintaining a healthy romance? 

 

A) I think she’s probably drawn to the fact that Rhodes’s family life was not picture perfect. It’s a place where they connect. I feel that in trying to find a partner we have a tendency, either conscious or unconscious, to look for someone who mirrors our own experience and I think that’s part of what attracted her to Rhodes (Colin Donnell) in the first place. If anything I think she feels like it’ll make their relationship stronger seeing as though there’s already a fundamental understanding there between the two of them.

 

Q) Is there anything particularly challenging you find about playing this role? 

 

A) Honestly, the most challenging thing is the verbiage. Saying things like “immunocompromised from rheumatoid arthritis meds” as if it’s something that just rolls right off the tongue is not particularly easy. So, I spend a lot of time trying to learn the right way to say things and then I depend on good ole repetition to make it stick and hopefully sound and feel natural.

 

Q) Your character seems to keep to herself.  Is she going to be making any interesting bonds with the rest of the staff this season that we might find to be interesting?

 

A) She definitely does interact with others, but I think you’re right she does have a tendency to, as you said, keep to herself. It actually could be a product of the fact that she lost a deep connection to someone she loved at an early age. So, now in order to protect herself, she’s a little wary of who she lets into her life for fear that they might eventually bail on her like her father did.

 

Q) Are we going to see that romance bloom between Dr. Robyn Charles and Dr. Rhodes or is it possible even more challenges are ahead from her father’s reluctance to accept their growing closeness? 

 

A) It may take a little while for Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) to truly warm up to the idea of his daughter dating Rhodes, but blessing or no blessing this relationship is definitely starting.

 

Q) Why do you think her father has such an issue of her dating Dr. Rhodes, which she seems to be doing regardless?

 

A) Dr. Charles feels bad for leaving his daughter and I think he’s doing his best to mend that relationship. But in trying to get her attention he’s begun to notice that, unfortunately for him, all of her attention is being directed towards this new man in her life, Dr. Rhodes.

 

Q) Dr. Rhodes seems to have disregarded Dr. Charles wishes in him not dating his daughter. We will see any turmoil coming from his side of the family regarding the romance?

 

A) There may or may not be turmoil coming from Dr. Charles. You will just have to tune in to find out!

 

Q) Are we going to see any change in the relationship with her father in the coming episodes? Possibly some more father and daughter like moments?

 

A) You’re definitely going to get to see some growth in their relationship and I think it’ll be interesting to be able to watch each person try their best to figure out how to re-build this father-daughter bond.

 

Q) Why do you think it is so hard for Robyn to find a consistent connection with her father after he has apologized for their past troubles?

 

A) Seeing her father now reminds her of how crushed she was when he left when she was younger. However, on the other hand, she also knows that people can change and she’s genuinely trying to give her father a second chance. But in grappling with these two disparate feelings she’s somewhat unconsciously blocking her father out. In her mind she thinks that she’s dealt with it and moved on, but the fact that her father keeps trying to re-hash the past makes her a bit uncomfortable and unwilling to open up.

 

Q) The Chicago series family is growing even bigger, how is it to work alongside all of these talented actors? Do you hang out off set as well? 

 

A) The cast has been awesome! It’s such a great group of people to work with. Just genuinely down to earth good people. Whenever we have time we definitely try to hang out off set. We actually just had a karaoke night recently and it was a blast! I’m really happy that I’ve gotten to be a part of this cast!

 

Q) Will we be seeing more of an active role for Dr. Robyn Charles in the coming episodes since she seems to be sticking around a bit longer at “Chicago Med?”   

 

A) Yea, I don’t think she’s going anywhere any time soon.

 

Q) Is there any possibility we will see Dr. Robyn Charles become a regular on the series? 

 

A) I don’t know! Maybe if you put in a good word with the producers! [laughs]

 

Q)  The show is amazing, as well as the cast, how are you enjoying your time on Chicago Med? Any fun behind the scenes stories? 

 

A) My time here really has been great. It really is actually a joy to go in to work every day.

 

Q) Is there anything else we can look forward to with your character this season that we might be surprised to see? 

 

A) Eventually you will get to find out a little bit more about how she really feels and has felt about her father.