One Chicago Podcast: S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin on Chicago Med)

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Brian Luce (Wolf Entertainment)
Guest: S. Epatha Merkerson (“Sharon Goodwin” on Chicago Med)

Episode Overview

This episode of the One Chicago Podcast features the legendary S. Epatha Merkerson, who has embodied Sharon Goodwin, the formidable executive director on Chicago Med, for a decade. Host Brian Luce (former Chicago cop, now producer) takes listeners on a deep dive into Merkerson’s remarkable TV career, what makes her character tick, how real-life research shapes her performance, and the family atmosphere of the One Chicago universe. The episode also includes a behind-the-scenes look with special effects artist Crystal Portillo, exploring how the show’s medical realism is achieved.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

S. Epatha Merkerson’s Journey in the Wolf Universe

• Longstanding Collaboration

  • Merkerson has spent over 32 years working with Dick Wolf on projects like Law & Order, Man and Machine, South Beach, Chicago Med, and multiple crossovers.
  • “I did 395 episodes of Law and Order. We're doing our 200th episode of Med... so I've done over 615 shows.” (Merkerson, 05:20–06:02)

• Getting the Call for Chicago Med

  • She proactively asked her manager to tell the producers she wanted in:
    • “Tell that mother I want a job.” (Merkerson, 07:01)
    • She landed the role within half an hour, cementing her status in the Wolf “family.”

Building the Character of Sharon Goodwin

• From Nurse to Boss – Character Backstory

  • Goodwin’s arc draws inspiration from a real Black female nurse–turned–administrator in Chicago.
  • “She started as a nurse... charge nurse... and then I believe that she felt that she had the means to run the hospital, and so she went about doing that.” (Merkerson, 10:29–11:04)

• Bringing Personal Values to the Role

  • Merkerson’s commitment to integrity and directness mirrors Goodwin’s leadership style.
  • She insisted on addressing characters by their proper titles as a gesture of respect, inspired by her high school teacher:
    • “If they're a doctor, it's Dr. Halstead, it's Dr. Frost... It’s just a small thing, but it’s very particular for this character.” (Merkerson, 09:58–10:19)

• Character Similarities

  • “I believe in right and wrong... I believe in speaking your mind. I think that’s why they've hired me, because a lot of me are in these characters.” (Merkerson, 08:53–09:13)

Research and Real-World Immersion

• Time Spent in Real ERs

  • First season included shadowing trauma surgeons and observing emergency procedures at Stroger Hospital:
    • “I spent a Friday evening in the ED... I ended up in a surgery, watching a guy who had been shot... The spleen, intestines were on top of his stomach. It was extraordinary.” (Merkerson, 12:37–13:43)

• Impact on Performance

  • These experiences informed a realistic portrayal and emotional authenticity, especially in intense scenes.
  • “That kind of research can only help you. It was extraordinary having that kind of access.” (Merkerson, 13:43–13:52)

Evolution and Challenges on Chicago Med

• Growth of the Series

  • The show's writing and the ensemble’s chemistry have evolved with cast changes, keeping the tone fresh.
    • “With each cast change, it’s brought a different energy... Oliver and I are like the OGs now. We’re the last two from the original.” (Merkerson, 18:53–19:40)

• Portraying Vulnerability and Difficult Themes

  • Recent storylines gave Goodwin a deeper, more vulnerable arc, especially the stalking and stabbing plot.
    • “The cool thing was, I got to do some stunts... but that was probably the most difficult because it was a storyline that progressed through the season.” (Merkerson, 17:47–18:47)
  • Merkerson praised showrunner Alan McDonald for writing specifically with her in mind for the first time.
    • “Last year was the first time I felt a writer actually paid attention to me... he wrote for me. That has not happened. Not like it did last year.” (Merkerson, 22:54–23:29)

Personal Life, Acting, and Memorable Moments

• Discovering Acting

  • Motivated by school bullying and moving frequently, theater became an escape and empowerment.
    • “Doing theater... allowed me to be somebody else.” (Merkerson, 27:45)

• Most Affecting Storylines

  • Her favorite Law & Order episode is “Mushrooms,” which explored tragic consequences of illiteracy and violence.
    • “To this day, it’s one of the few that I will watch.” (Merkerson, 28:42–28:49)
  • Recalled her first role on Law & Order as a cleaning lady; joked about moving up through "night school." (28:55–29:09)

• Dementia Storyline

  • A moving discussion of her personal experience with a close friend’s struggle with dementia brought depth and realism to Goodwin’s on-screen story.
    • “A very, very dear friend of mine passed away from dementia... and I remember when she was diagnosed... she was so nervous, she couldn't speak.” (Merkerson, 30:43–32:06)
    • The emotional truth of these experiences often overtakes her in performance:
      “One of the things that has happened as I get older, I just cry sometimes.” (Merkerson, 33:33)

The Medical Realism: Special Effects and Makeup (Crystal Portillo, SFX Artist)

• Crafting Hyper-Realistic Injuries

  • Crystal Portillo and her team use a mix of high-tech (computer-generated) and hands-on (prosthetic) effects to create surgeries and wounds.
    • “So 99% of our stuff is made for surgery... we make these replicas so we can really just jam them full of needles and whatever else we need to and no one gets harmed in the process.” (Portillo, 43:25)
  • Research includes studying real medical photos and dissecting animal organs to replicate texture and color.
    • “We ended up getting a set of sheep lungs to... get the size right, get the texture right.” (Portillo, 45:14–45:15)
  • Emotional impact on both cast and families:
    • “We did a replica of a young girl, and the mom got really spooked by our dummy version of her daughter...” (Portillo, 44:52–45:14)

• Challenges of On-Location Effects

  • Real-world settings, like the explosive event with crushed limbs, require careful planning.
    • “Blood will do whatever it wants... You think it's like, ah, is it going to squirt this way? Let's keep our fingers crossed.” (Portillo, 46:44–47:04)
  • “It was great being able to saw a guy's legs off, it was also, you know, a little anxiety inducing.” (Portillo, 44:41–44:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This man [Dick Wolf] changed my life. He really did. And what I love about Dick Wolf is that he's loyal. But don't mess with him... You got to come in righteous. You got to work or you're gone."
  — S. Epatha Merkerson (06:07–06:37)

• “Tell that mother I want a job.”
  — S. Epatha Merkerson, describing her approach to getting cast on Med (07:01)

• "[Goodwin] started as a nurse, did all the education... became charge nurse... then I believe she felt that she had the means to run the hospital."
  — S. Epatha Merkerson (10:29–11:04)

• “I believe in right and wrong... I think that's why they've hired me, because a lot of me are in these characters.”
  — S. Epatha Merkerson (08:53–09:13)

• "The joy of doing this with the people that I work with is because they're so extraordinary."
  — S. Epatha Merkerson (35:21–35:45)

• “She came as a worker. Not just as an administrator, she came as a worker.”
  — S. Epatha Merkerson (26:51)

• “The human body is just such an incredible machine... we’re always striving to make things look better or function better, you know, so it's a challenge and one that I appreciate.”
  — Crystal Portillo (47:58)

Timestamps – Key Segments

• S. Epatha’s Wolf Universe Stats — 05:20–06:07
• Getting cast on Med — 07:01–07:53
• Portraying Sharon Goodwin — 08:14–10:25
• Goodwin’s Backstory — 10:25–11:04
• Real-life Trauma Research — 12:37–13:52
• Growth and Legacy of Med — 18:47–19:40
• Honest Vulnerability in Goodwin — 22:54–24:48
• Discovering Acting Amid Bullying — 27:00–28:08
• Law & Order “Mushrooms” episode — 28:17–28:49
• Portrayal of Dementia (Personal Story) — 30:43–34:14
• Medical Effects & Prosthetics (Portillo) — 43:25–47:58

The STAT Lightning Round (38:12)

• Wolf Character to Bring to Med: Dennis Farina as Fontana
• Who Goodwin Would Want at Her Bedside: Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt)
• Preferred Surgeon: Dr. Lennox (Sarah Ramos)
• Co-star Vacation Pick: Steven Weber

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, candid, humorous, and poignant. S. Epatha Merkerson’s affection and respect for her colleagues shines through, as does her generosity in sharing personal experiences—both joyful and painful—that deepen her performances. The tone is at once familial and fiercely professional, mirroring the ethos of the One Chicago shows.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode delivers a rich tapestry of behind-the-scenes insights, emotional truths, career reflection, and technical wizardry. Merkerson’s devotion to her craft, her respect for the stories told, and the collaborative spirit of the crew and cast make for a compelling listen—whether you’re a diehard fan or a newcomer to the world of Chicago Med.