Felicity Huffman Embraces Complex Medical Drama Role in Doc Season Two
Acclaimed actress Felicity Huffman has officially joined the cast of the medical drama Doc for its highly anticipated second season, taking on what she describes as a complex and compelling "wild card" character. The Desperate Housewives star steps into the role of Dr. Joan Ridley, the new chief of internal medicine, marking her first series regular position in several years.
A Return to Television Driven by Powerful Writing
Huffman reveals that her decision to accept the role was primarily influenced by the quality of the writing, particularly the depth of her character's development. From her home office in Los Angeles, the actress explained that after reading the initial scripts and watching the first season, she was immediately drawn to the series' unique narrative approach.
"It's always the writing for me," Huffman states emphatically. "I read the first two scripts and thought the writing was great, and went back and watched Doc season one."
Navigating a Medical World with a Twist
The medical drama presents viewers with an intriguing premise centered around Dr. Amy Larsen, portrayed by Molly Parker, who must rebuild her life and medical career after a brain injury erases eight years of memories. This unusual condition adds a distinctive layer of psychological intrigue to the traditional hospital drama format, creating what Huffman describes as a fractured world into which her character arrives.
Dr. Joan Ridley enters this complex environment as a formidable presence—a former Doctors Without Borders physician with what Huffman calls a "varied and adventurous" past that makes her both compelling and unpredictable.
"I think she's a wild card, you know... she probably slept with Mick Jagger and somehow ended up in Somalia with Black Hawk Down," Huffman says with a laugh, highlighting the character's unconventional background.
Character Complexity and Personal Resonance
While Huffman was initially attracted to Ridley's professional complexities and direct communication style, she found particular resonance with the character's philosophical approach to life. The actress notes that Ridley possesses the wisdom to distinguish between what truly matters and what doesn't, allowing her to maintain perspective even in high-pressure medical situations.
"I think when you're older, you know that everything is not important," Huffman reflects. "The important parts are important, and the unimportant parts are not important and so you can have a light touch."
Huffman admits this outlook doesn't come naturally to her personally, expressing hope that portraying Ridley might help her develop similar perspective in her own life.
Production Experience and Industry Reflections
The actress spent nine months filming twenty-two episodes in Toronto, living in an apartment within a retirement community overlooking a lake. This extended period away from her husband, actor William H. Macy, and their two daughters provided both solitude for character research and what she describes as its own comedy plot of independent living.
During this time, Huffman conducted extensive research into real women working at the highest levels of the medical industry, discovering what she calls a "striking imbalance" in gender representation. She collaborated with showrunners Barbie Kligman and Hank Steinberg to incorporate aspects of these pioneering women into her character, developing what she describes as an "iconoclast with a wicked sense of humour."
Huffman draws parallels between the male dominance she observed in medicine and her own experiences in the entertainment industry, acknowledging the mentorship she received from male colleagues while celebrating the increasing visibility of women in leadership positions.
Career Context and Industry Evolution
The role represents another chapter in Huffman's distinguished career playing complicated, flawed women operating under intense pressure. From her Golden Globe-winning performance in Transamerica and her Academy Award nomination to her iconic portrayal of Lynette Scavo in Desperate Housewives, Huffman has consistently sought out complex female characters.
Reflecting on the upcoming Desperate Housewives reimagining titled Wisteria Lane, Huffman expresses hope that the new iteration will continue exploring motherhood and the double standards that surround it. She believes the original series was ahead of its time in portraying women—particularly mothers—with nuance and honesty.
"It took Marc Cherry, who's brilliant and a gay man, to say women in their 40s can be interesting," Huffman observes. "And now you can see it in Doc. You know, women in their 50s can be interesting. Now, Molly Parker is in her 50s, so I think that's a holdover, and I hope that continues and continues to grow."
The second season of Doc premieres on January 27, bringing Huffman's compelling portrayal of Dr. Joan Ridley to Australian audiences through Seven Network and its streaming platform 7plus.
