Jillian Murray – Code Black

By starrymag | September 28, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

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

A) Just “Code Black” as of now. It’s taking up all of my time this season.

Q) What was your reaction when you first found out you were becoming a series regular?

A) I was really excited! I did ten episodes last season and then when we finished it I got the offer to do next season. It was really, really exciting. The first thing I wanted to do was call my boyfriend and say, “Guess what!” I couldn’t do that because he was doing a reality show and didn’t have a cell phone for six weeks. I had to hold on to that information for six weeks! I was excited that I could have burst! It was great when he was finished because then I could say, “By the way, I got a TV show.”

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

A) Well, I auditioned. As an actor, you get random scripts consistently and you audition weekly. Actually, a lot of the stuff I was getting close to was comedy and then I went in for a guest star on this show. I booked the guest star role and after the table read everything changed. They wanted me to be a doctor.

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

A) I think they kind of blended the character through my personality. I think that’s the way they described it me. She’s kind of very confident, outspoken and strong-willed – kind of the way that I am. Unless it is a coincidence… [laughs] I think they had something in mind of what they were looking for and then when I was doing the other role it kind of enlightened them on ideas on what they were planning on doing with another character. Then, we kind of blended the character. Michael, the creator of the show, came to me and kind of explained what they were looking for. It was my take on another character so we kind of worked together and figured it out.

Q) Where do we pick up this season with the doctors and nurses on “Code Black?”

A) It is a year later and we have a bunch of new residents coming in and they are fantastic on the show. The first episode they introduce the residents and the storylines are based off of getting to know them and you root for them during the season. Then, a few episodes in they start to show you everyone else. It’s really, really great. I watched the first episode and the new residents are phenomenal. They are younger. They’re fun. There is a lot more laughs with them.

Q) What will be in store for Heather Pinkney?

A) Episodes six and seven are really, really rich for Dr. Pinkney. She still has her feistiness and it may get in the way in a few episodes. [laughs]

Q) What is the status of Heather’s relationship with Mario?

A) As of right now, they haven’t brought any of that up. I actually asked the creator and we’re not doing the relationship mushy stuff right now. I think eventually it is going to evolve, but they are focusing on the medicine and on the other stories because there are so many to fit into one hour. It’s actually forty-three minutes. So, with all the patients that are coming in and we have more people now to show. So, diluting it with romantic relationships would take away from what you are getting with the medical drama part of it.

Q) Is there someone you haven’t worked with that much or at all that you would love scenes with or more scenes with?

A) They just recently asked and I haven’t worked with Melanie (Chandra) at all. She was the only girl and a lot of our parts would be at the opposite sides of the script. So, this last episode I was working on (six) was where I finally got to work with one on one, which was really great.

Q) There is such great cast chemistry and everyone posts a lot of behind the scenes photos. Was there instant chemistry when you began working together?

A) I think everyone else came in at the same time. I only joined the cast on episode nine of last season. So, they already had months and months together and already had their relationships together. I came on kind of as an oddball, but I did connect right away with Ben [Hollingsworth] and Harry [Ford] because my scenes are with them. And they are amazing! So, they are the first two people I kind of went to.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable behind the scenes moments from filming?

A) I think it is all my moments with Emily [Tyra.] She is a new resident. Those are the fun moments. When we ware together something always seems to go wrong. Coffee spills everywhere. Things break. Every single time we are together there is some problem. So, it’s really great because we’re into snapping all the issues we have.

Q) Who are some guest stars you can tease are in store for this season?

A) There are so many! Most recently Eric Roberts guest starred. Rob Lowe is also on our show.

Q) What do you think it is about “Code Black” that has made it a fast fan favorite show?

A) I think it is refreshing to find a show that is so real. There are a lot of medical dramas out there and they are not very procedure oriented and not focused on the medicine. It’s a new take. There are “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Chicago Med” and “ER.” This is the closest to “ER.” We’re going through medical bootcamp. We learn how to properly intubate a patient and how to install a central line. The other shows don’t worry about the medical stuff. There are doctors and nurses on our set every single day – real ones! And you are guaranteed an emotional rollercoaster every episode and I find that nice because you get a full range of emotion every episode. It’s not a continual storyline where you are like, “I can’t wait for the next episode to find out what happens.” Every single episode resolves every single thing that is in it at that moment. It is fulfilling. It almost feels like a movie each episode. And we have such amazing guest stars that show up on set. We’re really lucky!

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

A) Last season a lot of the social media was about the shipping of characters. So, Mario and Heather together or Heather and Angus. You’d always see that. Since it has been a few months since the first season aired, I’ll be expecting when it airs to see what we get on social media. I think the fans are really going to be excited! I love hearing the opinions, of course. I think it helps everybody understanding what the reaction is and what people feel works and what doesn’t. it’s always interesting to hear feedback because it is a different perspective. You are in a bubble when you are filming. When something is translating differently to an audience because you can switch things and what not.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about this season of “Code Black?”

A) There will be lots of Rob Lowe. There are lots different locations this time so it’s not as much in the hospital. We are out in different spots a lot so it is really refreshing. Like I said, the new characters add a great element.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you so much for watching and send me questions or comments or anything when it starts airing! I’d love to hear what everyone thinks!