Link: Mary Kills People Postmortem: Episode 3 with Greg Bryk
“It really was a joy to create this character with them. I’ve known all of [the creative team] off and on in different capacities over the years. I’m proud to be part of it to be perfectly honest. As a husband and father of two sons and a young girl, to see this collection of women create such a dynamic and strong story, and to have the opportunity to tell that story, it was great to do my little part.” Continue reading.
Link: An On Set Chat with ‘Mary Kills People’ Star Richard Short
“Des is absolutely a grounded realist, and as far as he’s concerned, that would probably mean that he’s an atheist or an agnostic. It’s clinical, it’s based in science. There’s compassion, but once there’s a dead body, it’s a dead body. That’s not being unfeeling toward the client. Religion is an important point to raise because we’re talking about a show in which some of the people asking for this [assistance] will be deeply religious, and you have to respect that.” Continue reading.Â
“We’re not trying to say what’s right and what’s wrong. We’re just trying build a place where the debate can happen.” That, says Caroline Dhavernas, is at the heart of Mary Kills People, Global’s newest original drama.
Debuting Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the network, Mary Kills People will certainly elicit discussion about the subject matter. Dhavernas is Dr. Mary Harris, an emergency room doctor and mother who—with the help of her friend Des Bennett (Richard Short, Covert Affairs)—assists those who want to die. Mary struggles to keep her two careers in order while keeping her night job a secret from her family as the authorities—led by Det. Frank Gaines (Lyriq Bent, Shoot the Messenger)—investigates her. Add to that Mary’s intense feelings for a terminal patient named Joel (Jay Ryan, Beauty and the Beast) and her plate is full. (Look for Bitten‘s Greg Bryk, Rookie Blue‘s Matt Gordon and Charlotte Sullivan, and InSecurity‘s Grace Lynn Kung in key roles.)
Created by Tara Armstrong and executive-produced by Tassie and Amy Cameron alongside Armstrong, Jocelyn Hamilton and director Holly Dale, the six-part event provides plenty of dark comedy to go along with the serious subject matter. (That’s 19-2‘s Adrian Holmes in the opening twisted, gruesomely giddy opening scene.)
We spoke to Dhavernas about her character, the subject matter and where the show goes in the next six episodes.
(l-r) Bent, Ryan, Dhavernas and Short
Can you give me some background on Mary?
Caroline Dhavernas: She’s an ER doctor and a mom. She has this side gig where she assists people in their wish to die. Of course, it’s completely illegal and she will get in trouble for it. It comes from a place of compassion, really, because she has been very close to people who have had to make that decision and she deeply understands where that desire comes from. She doesn’t judge it and she also knows it’s not about her.
It’s a very emotional debate and there is a lot of grey zone. It becomes a lot about not knowing what death is all about because no one has come back to say what it is. We’re very afraid to send people over the edge because it almost feels like pushing them into a place that’s too dangerous. But the place these people are in is so damaging to them that they would rather go to the unknown. I think she gets all that. Not everyone does, and that’s why she gets into real trouble. What’s fascinating about this show is that we’re not trying to say what’s right and what’s wrong. We’re just trying build a place where the debate can happen. It’s fascinating subject matter and a great part. There are a lot of levels to play.
Where do you stand on the debate of doctor-assisted suicide?
I’m on Mary’s side. [Laughs.] It’s good, as a society, to have both sides to the discussion and hear what everyone else has to say. The more you talk about it, the more you know where you stand. If anything, this solidified how I feel about it.
Describe Mary’s relationship with Des.
We don’t really explain where they’re coming from, but I’m pretty sure they went to school together and have been friends forever. Des is going through a hard time because he’s done things that are very wrong for a doctor to do and she is trying to include him in all this and make him feel like a doctor again. They’re in this together and they have a very strong bond.
How many people know what Mary is doing? I feel like she’s going to get caught soon.
It is very illegal, so she will get in trouble for it. She is trying to not let too many people know but these people have families and diaries that she can’t control. Mary has one partner at the hospital, a nurse named Annie, who sees who needs help and meets with people who are asking for that help.
Related: Our podcast chat with Mary Kills People creator Tara Armstrong, executive producer Tassie Cameron and co-producer Marsha Greene
What were your first thoughts when you read the script?
I like bold, daring subject matter and this is certainly that. I like the fact that we’re not judging anything. And, also, a strong female lead is so rare still. The director is female, the writers are female as well … that is so rare and it’s so great to be part of this team. When I met with everyone there was an immediate connection. I’d never worked with Holly Dale before, but when she showed me the mood boards and the water theme … visually it’s going to be stunning as well.
Mary Kills People airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global.
Caroline Dhavernas on her new high-stakes drama series Mary Kills People
“I just loved the subject matter and I think this character is very deep, beautiful and compassionate. I love all the gray zones and her contradictions. I’m very drawn to TV shows where the content is interesting and cable television has really showed us that people are there for content.” Continue reading.
That could apply both to the lead character in the new Canadian series Mary Kills People, and to the show itself, which debuts Wednesday, Jan. 25 on Global. Continue reading.Â
From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:
Mary Kills People is a killer of a good, provocative drama Mary Kills People is, yes, definitely, a black-comedy-drama about euthanasia. In advance notices about its arrival on Lifetime, later this year, it is inevitably called provocative.
It sure is that, on several levels. It is also remarkably assured, droll and adult. It’s very smart and utterly intriguing. Watch episode one and you’re sucked into anticipating the second hour with pleasure. Continue reading.Â
From Melissa Girimonte of The Televixen:
Caroline Dhavernas on her new series, Mary Kills People
“I’m really happy you’re bringing that up because it can seem like a depressing subject matter. The writers were smart to see that it’s part of life to have these moments of darkness [followed by] laughter because of the density. It’s like a funeral. So many times I’ve been to funerals and then never felt as alive as I do after. We rarely talk about death. When we’re so close to it, we’re reminded how privileged we are to be here and be healthy.” Continue reading.
Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Marsha Greene
“But I do see the importance of women having showrunner power. The female showrunners I’ve worked with are treated with a lot of respect in the room. They don’t have to demand to have their ideas heard or valued, because it comes with the job. Having said that, I imagine those are all things they dealt with en route to getting that job. So I think I’ve gotten to reap the benefits of their hard work, because my experiences have been working for women who are generous, encouraging and supportive of other female writers.” Continue reading.
