Murphy in '13?
Tuesday's conclusion of Body of Proof's two-part Season 3 premiere cemented a plotline that had been hinted at last week: that Chief Medical Examiner Kate Murphy (Jeri Ryan) is running for office, and her colleagues in the medical examiner's office — especially Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) — are less than thrilled about it.
"[Kate] has to make a lot of decisions, personal and professional, based on this run for office," Ryan tells TVGuide.com. "And it makes things very tense around the ME's office. ... Obviously if she starts letting something slack, Megan is going to be the first one to let her know it."
Body of Proof: 6 things to expect from the revamped Season 3
"Coming off of the finale last season with Peter's death, and also the episode before that with Kate almost dying, mortality is very much on her mind," Ryan continues. "She realizes how short life is, and that you kind of have to seize opportunities when they arise. And so she decides to go for it. It's something that she's always thought about doing and been interested in doing."
If she is elected to the vacant congressional district seat, it won't be an easy road to get there, Ryan teases. Kate's political ambitions will once again entangle her with the district attorney (Richard Burgi), whose endorsement is up for grabs at this point. And of course, she also has her professional responsibilities to deal with.
Stars who don't look their age
"A lot of this season is Kate dealing with how she can juggle both balls and keep them both in the air at the same time and not drop something, and that's easier said than done," Ryan explains. "And also learning that politics is a very morally ambiguous line of work, and having to adjust to that and to see how much of that she can actually stomach."
One thing's for sure: She'll have her employees to keep her in check. From the season premiere, it's clear that Megan, for one, is not going to base her workplace decisions on the impact they'll have on Kate's political campaign.
Have these shows worn out their welcome? Vote now!
"It's the moral ambiguity of it that is fun for me to watch play out," Ryan says. "Seeing how Kate's going to deal with that and realizing that you have to make some moral sacrifices to get to be a politician at that level. You just do. That's just the nature of the beast. And that doesn't sit well with her or anyone around her. And they are really quick to call her on it, as they should be."
Body of Proof airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
View original Body of Proof: How Will Kate's Run for Office Affect the Team? at TVGuide.com
Other Links From TVGuide.com
