So, um, Ming-Na Wen performed a rectal exam during her ER audition.
“It was actually a really funny scene,” she recalls. “This patient had stuffed cocaine in balloons up his cavity, and it was up to me to draw it out. But Carter [Noah Wyle] didn’t tell me that I had to use lube, and the guy is screaming.”
The bottom line? The actress — coming off her role in the 1993 film The Joy Luck Club — snared the role of beleaguered med student Dr. Jing-Mei “Deb” Chen. And though Wen left after the show’s first season, she was asked to return in 1999 and stayed through 2004. Wen, who’s gone on to star in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Mandalorian, looks back on her run.
Television Academy: What did you know about the character going in?
Ming-Na Wen: Dr. Chen wasn’t Chen at the time. During the audition, I remember being in the hallway with a dozen Caucasian actresses. I just really appreciated that [casting director] John Levey gave a woman of color the opportunity. Also, John made my mom very proud because my character did eventually become a doctor, which is every Asian mom’s dream!
You joined ER just as the show was skyrocketing. What was that like?
It was fantastic. I was an East Coast girl and just dipping my toes into L.A. — and, bang, I get a guest-starring role on the number-one show at the time with a 40 share!
The cast was amazing, and the pace of the show was amazing. Using the Steadicam was a new process for me. Then we had these one-er shots, which was like doing theater. I never wanted to be the person at the end because if I messed it up, they had to start again.
Can you describe your relationship with Noah? You two shared so many scenes.
He was wonderful. We were like brother and sister, on and off the set. I think that’s why the chemistry between the two of them worked right off the bat. We just had this very sardonic, sarcastic sense of humor and had a lot of funny scenes together. Sometimes I’ll see a scene on the internet and be like, “Oh my God!”
What’s the most difficult procedure you had to learn?
Doing chest compressions, actually. I had to climb on the gurney to give CPR, and I didn’t want to hurt the other actor because it required a lot of strength and force.
Why did Chen kind of disappear at the end of season one?
Well, I was only a recurring character. I hated living in limbo and having to wait and see when [the producers] would need me for the next episode. I asked to be let go so I could go out on auditions or get my own series. And I did get my own show — The Single Guy with Jonathan Silverman. But looking back now as a more seasoned actor, I realize I was crazy to want to leave ER.
But you came back! How did that go down?
You just never know in life! Five years later, John Wells called to ask me back to be a regular. The show was still just written so well, and I loved everybody that worked on it, so I was happy. And I loved playing Dr. Chen! She had this snarky attitude, and I wanted to explore more about her struggles and where I could go as a doctor.
In season six, she’s right there when Carter and Lucy are stabbed.
Oh, God, that was — oof, that was tough. It was such a violent episode. You grow close with the cast, and I knew that Kellie [Martin] was leaving. What a way to go. It’s like the reality of filming was blending into the pretend.
Your real-life pregnancy was written into the show too, right?
Yeah, I was really pregnant with my daughter. And Deb decided that she has to give up the baby for adoption because there were so many issues. I remember, like, every take I was bawling. Noah would say, “Hey, save it for your closeup!” But I told him, “Noah, I can’t help it.” I was so hormonal, and just thinking about giving up a child while pregnant seemed so tough.
How was the pretend labor scene?
I had to do it before experiencing it myself! Our director, Jonathan [Kaplan], he wanted it bigger — more screaming, more pain. But I was in the process of learning about hypnobirthing and thinking about playing beautiful music and yoga-ing my way through the labor. So, I argued with him and was like, “No, no, come on, that’s so theatrical.” Then when I had my real contractions, I called him up and was like, “Hey, Jonathan — can we reshoot those scenes?!”
Did you take any souvenirs? Noah has ambulance doors.
I took my lab coat that says “Dr. Chen.” And I have a stethoscope, my ID and a scrub signed by everybody. But damn, ambulance doors?! That’s crazy.
ER is now streaming on MAX and Hulu.
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