Bonnie Kathleen Ryan – Murder In The First

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m starring in a feature film called Loyalty with Josh Morrow.  It’s a thriller set in the tech industry. I play Fiona, an IT manager who stumbles into a world of cyber crime. There’s lots of running, jumping and crying (and no Julian Assange or Girls with Dragon Tattoos).

Q) Please tell us what is new this second season on ‘Murder in the First.”

A) It’s a big season! The stakes are high. But if I tell you any more than that I’d have to kill you and then as the new Medical Examiner officially determine your cause of death — which would be me — so I don’t see how that would be to my advantage.

Q) How was your character originally described to you?

A) My character is Medical Examiner Kirsten Roz. She is smart, extremely ambitious and values intellect over just about everything. She’s from a blue collar background and she’s a gunner.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) Oh man I wanted to be a part of “Murder In The First” because of the writing, the characters, the beautiful filmmaking and the great actors. I binge watched season one (I’m a huge fan of Richard Schiff since “West Wing” days) so I was a fan of the show before I ever auditioned for it. The writing is complex and smart, but the story unfolds with patience. The writers aren’t in a rush. They allow characters to sit in moments and I mean [Steven] Bochco is a legend! Am I gushing? Let’s just say I love this job!

Q) What kind of preparation did you do for your role as a medical examiner?

A) I performed a lot of autopsies. I mean, they’re already dead so what’s the harm? No! I didn’t do that. But I did take a tour of the LA county morgue, meet with coroner Ed Winter and get to see a day in the life of real M.E.’s. It really helped me understand the demeanor, gallows humor and environment of Medical Examiners.

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) How did you know? I did add a little something — in the subtext at least. That’s the fun of acting, bringing a little something extra to the character. But it’s a secret between me and Kirsten Roz. You’ll have to watch and see if you can guess what it is.

Q) The cast is filled with a number of well known dramatic actors. What have you learned from your experiences on set?

A) Be nice. It’s simple, but they’re all kind, generous and fun. It makes the set a joyful place to be.

Q) What have been your most memorable moments from filming “Murder In The First?”

A) I was standing on rocks by the ocean. During a shot, a wave washed up over the rock I was standing on and almost swept me away. Without missing a beat, Taye [Diggs] grabbed my hand and steadied me. We continued on like everything was normal. He’s cool as a cucumber.

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has captured so many viewers?

A) I think viewers are excited about the show for the same reasons I am: great writing, great characters and great actors. That’s a pretty winning combination. This is not a tie-it-up-with-a-bow procedural where you tune in and then forget about it until next week. You are invested in these characters. You want to know their inner lives. “Murder In The First” sticks with you.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive when the episodes air?

A) I come from a theatre background. I studied acting at the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia, where performance is revered like nowhere else I’ve been. And I’ve missed that element of the audience — who you are playing with and for. But social media has brought back some of that sense, some of that relationship. The audience IS engaged and does give you feedback. Without the fans, we’re just a tree falling in the forest with no one to hear us.

Q) Is there anything you want to be sure fans know about this coming season?

A) All I can say is it’s big. You don’t want to miss an episode. It’s going to be a thrilling summer.