NURSE JACKIE

Season 6

Episode Descriptions

 

Episode 601 – “Sink or Swim”

 

Written By: Clyde Phillips

 

Directed By: Jesse Peretz

 

Jackie is back to using drugs again, but she’s doing it differently this time. She’s maintaining a ‘clean and sober cover’ going to NA meetings, and never stealing pills from the hospital. She's even going to the gym in the morning—and getting her drugs from the locker room towel girl. We see that Grace, who is now living with her dad, is still secretly experimenting with drugs. Meanwhile, at All Saints, Jackie is assigned by Prentiss to ‘shadow’ Carrie now that her 3 month probation is up. Zoey finds out that everyone knows about her ‘secret’ relationship with Prentiss. At a 12-step meeting, Jackie butts heads with an outspoken Southern woman named Antoinette. When a cocaine addict has a seizure at the meeting, Jackie and Antoinette end up riding in the ambulance back to All Saints together. Jackie rushes the man in to be treated by Dr. Roman. When Dr. Roman calls ‘clear’ and uses the defibrillator paddles, Jackie, off her game because she’s high, still has her hand on the patient. She’s knocked out cold. When Jackie comes to, she has a chance to get Dr. Roman fired, but instead admits it was her own mistake. Jackie then lies to the family of the now-deceased cocaine addict, saying he was not using drugs. Jackie connects with Antoinette and the women hit it off, so much so that Jackie accepts Antoinette’s offer to be her sponsor. The next morning, Jackie goes to the gym only to find out the Towel Girl has been fired for dealing. Jackie’s lost her source.

 

 

Episode 602 – “Pillgrimage

 

Written By: Tom Straw

 

Directed By: Brendan Walsh

 

Frank is going to take Jackie out tonight, but where they are going is a ‘secret.’  Jackie has her own secret: she’s taking pills right under Frank’s nose. And she needs a new source. So she steals Dr. Roman’s DEA number and calls in an Oxycontin prescription for herself, using a fake ID. The pharmacist won’t give her the drugs, because there’s a 24-hour hold on Oxycontin, so Jackie hits on him, but ultimately can’t follow through. Instead, she goes to her sponsor, Antoinette. Jackie shares candidly about losing her connection to her daughters, but holds back the truth: That she's using again. Back at All Saints, Akalitus rolls up in a ’65 Mustang she won in a poker game. When the E.R.’s P.A. system breaks, Prentiss's frustration with Akalitus mounts. Meanwhile, Carrie gets jealous when she sees that Coop has signed up for a dating website, especially when Coop gets recruited by a ‘sperm scout’ because of his online dating profile. That night, Frank takes Jackie out on their date – to a ‘hipster square dance’. Jackie finds a hot young hipster dealing and sneaks off to the bathroom with him (while Frank, oblivious, continues to dance) and they snort lines together and hook up.

 

 

Episode 603 – “Super Greens”

 

Written By: Liz Flahive

 

Directed By: Jesse Peretz Abe Sylvia

 

After a morning of defiant daughters cutting their own hair, Jackie blows off some steam and calls the hipster drug dealer, Gabe, for a re-up.  Prentiss and Zoey arrive to find an angry patient defacing the hospital because of Prentiss' bedside manner—and Zoey agrees it needs improvement. Zoey is volunteering later that night at a gay bar giving out free meningitis vaccinations but no one will go with her. Coop gets the disappointing news that his sperm count is too low to allow him to donate. And Carrie gets the lucky break of treating NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan which leads her to be part of an on air medical segment. Akalitus is on a winning streak too—her poker habit is really starting to pay off.  Jackie cares for a patient with severe auto-immune issues and non-communicative doctors. So Jackie calls the physicians to the ER under dramatic false pretenses—and her patient can get the care she deserves. However, Jackie's day is interrupted when Frank comes by to tell her that Grace has been arrested for shoplifting. While meeting with Grace and Kevin at the precinct, Grace drops the bomb that Kevin's engaged. Jackie's blindsided. She goes to see her new sponsor who tells her news like this is hard to take sober—don't buy anything or make any big decisions. But Jackie can't help herself. She goes out and scores something she's wanted all day: a dog.

 

 

Episode 604 – “Love Jungle

 

Written By: Abe Sylvia

 

Directed By: Adam Arkin

 

Kevin’s engagement has left Jackie reeling. After having a sex dream that involves both Eddie and Kevin, Jackie wakes up with Frank at the foot of her bed asking to move in. She’s not ready for that and will have to think of some way to keep him at bay. While staking out Kevin’s fiancé’s dress shop with Antoinette, Jackie gets more than an eyeful when she witnesses the budding relationship between Kevin’s fiancé, Mia, and Grace. Jackie makes a scene, forcing Kevin to cancel the dinner he had planned to formerly introduce them. Meanwhile, back at All Saints, Akalitus’s string of luck at poker continues, Coop and Carrie’s bond deepens when she decides to put him on television. Prentiss gets a visitor from his past: A childhood friend whose mild symptoms reveal a grave illness, forces Prentiss to reconcile who he was, who he is, and where his life with Zoey is heading. At lunch, Frank is still pressing Jackie to move in. With Mia and Grace on the brain, Jackie reminds Frank that she hasn’t even met his kids. This observation leads to a revelation about Frank’s past -- he had an affair, and consequently, his children no longer speak to him. Now Jackie has the ammo she needs to keep him from moving in.  Frank asks to come over tonight and talk about it. Jackie agrees, then invites the entire crew from All Saints over for a poker night. Frank knows that Jackie is trying to put him off, but when he presses the matter, Jackie tells him that Kevin had an affair and she is reluctant to get involved with a cheater. Frank backs off.  With everyone from All Saints distracted with poker, and Frank taking the dog for a walk, Jackie swallows five pills. Frank sees the whole thing. Jackie has no idea that she’s been caught.

 

 

Episode 605 – "Rag & Bone"

 

Written By: Ellen Fairey

 

Directed By: Jesse Peretz

 

Certain she has a hidden stash, Frank searches Jackie’s house for drugs. Luckily for Jackie, he throws his back out before he can find anything. Laid up and in pain, Frank confesses to Jackie that he saw her use at the poker party the night before and was searching the house. Realizing she dodged a bullet, Jackie quickly removes all drugs from her home and tries to find a hiding place for them at All Saints, finally settling on an old relic in the ladies rest room. Jackie complains to Antoinette about her upcoming dinner with Kevin and his new finance, but Antoinette convinces her to go. Back at work, Jackie connects with a homeless, alcoholic nun who seems to have given up on life. Frank’s suspicions are raised once again when Grace announces matter of factly that her mother is the world’s best liar. When Frank finds an old drug stash by accident, he calls Jackie to confront her but she brushes him off and heads inside a Williamsburg loft where she finds distraction and excitement in the arms of Gabe, the young drug user she met at the Square Dance. Prentiss misses the action of working in a war zone and is momentarily in his element when a multiple injury trauma is said to be coming into All Saints. Later, Zoey confronts Prentiss about his dissatisfaction and encourages him to do what he loves. Jackie is thrilled when Frank makes a surprise appearance at Kevin and Mia's dinner only to be confused by his caustic attitude. Mia and Kevin make a big announcement which causes Frank to reconsider confronting Jackie about the drugs he found. Jackie pops a surprising question to Frank.

 

 

Episode 606 – “Nancy Wood”

 

Written By: Carly Mensch

 

Directed By: Keith Gordon

 

Jackie's fake identity is compromised when it's announced at work that Dr. Carrie Roman's DEA number has been stolen by a woman named Nancy Wood. As Akalitus and Carrie both look into the mystery of Nancy Wood, Jackie has other problems to deal with: her bank account is down to $527, she's on her last bag of pills, her boyfriend Frank has just moved in, and her sponsor Antoinette is hounding her about her sobriety. Meanwhile, Prentiss has a big date night planned for Zoey, which includes the Opera and dinner at Per Se. Their plans are cut short when Zoey suspects something is wrong. Prentiss finally admits the truth: that he's re-enlisted in the army and is leaving All Saints. A sad Zoey returns to the ER to find Jackie alone after having just lost a young patient. Together they watch the remainder of the Opera on Zoey's phone.

 

 

 

Episode 607- “Rat on a Cheeto”

 

Written By: Heidi Schreck

 

Directed By: Jesse Peretz

 

The pressure of hiding her addiction is beginning to take a serious toll on Jackie.  Meanwhile, Grace's friend Mandy tells Jackie that Grace is receiving an award at school that day. Before the girls leave the house, Mandy bullies Grace into letting her stash her party drugs in Grace’s room. Meanwhile, Jackie arrives at work only to be ambushed again by Antoinette, who confronts Jackie about her use and makes a harrowing confession that spurs Jackie to get sober. After white-knuckling it through the morning, Jackie asks Eddie to find her some Suboxone – a controversial withdrawal drug – and he reluctantly agrees. Meanwhile, Akalitus attempts to cheer up Zoey by naming her nurse of the month. Over a patient, Zoey and Carrie clash and then actually begin to build a bond. Coop’s dream of becoming chief has finally come true. Just as Jackie's at the end of her rope, Eddie comes through with the Suboxone. Jackie takes it and heads to Grace's awards ceremony, where she is shocked to learn that her daughter has started an Al-Anon chapter at school. When Grace gives a speech about how difficult it is to be the child of an addict, Jackie is devastated but supportive. That evening, she discovers the stash of Oxy in Grace's room and after a full day of being sober, takes a handful. When Frank comes home, she confesses that she’s high. Furious, Frank walks out on her. Jackie lets him go and then, suddenly terrified of losing her entire life again, chases him down and begs him to help her get clean.

 

 

Episode 608 – “The Lady With The Lamp”

 

Written By: Abe Sylvia

 

Directed By: Seith Mann

 

Jackie detoxes at home with the help of Frank, Eddie, and Antoinette. It is a painful, embarrassing and emotional process for Jackie. In her detox, Jackie dreams that she is back on the floor at All Saints. Here she meets a mysterious patient who will expose Jackie’s greatest fear; that her relationship with Grace is not repairable. When Jackie awakens from her dream, the worst of detox is over. She’s on the mend when Grace comes home needing comfort after a really bad day at school. Jackie’s worst fears for the future of her relationship with her daughter have not come true. Jackie has a second chance with Grace. Due to Jackie’s fragile state, Frank raises objections to Grace moving home. Jackie realizes Frank isn’t strong enough to be in a relationship with a life-long addict. She locks him out of the house, snorts a line, and tends to her daughter.

 

 

 

Episode 609 – “Candyman”

 

Written By: Liz Flahive & Ellen Fairey

 

Directed By: Jesse Peretz

 

As Kevin and Mia plan their wedding Jackie and Frank remain estranged. Though they’re ‘not talking,’ Frank calls Jackie to warn her about a DEA investigation he heard is happening at All Saints involving interviews and urine tests. Jackie asserts she has nothing to worry about and ends the call quickly. It’s clear the physician’s number she stole is coming home to roost. Meanwhile, the death of the All Saints newsstand proprietor has the staff reflecting on the anonymity of life and Zoey and Thor plan a memorial. Jackie devises a painful spur of the moment solution to the impending DEA urine test involving Akalitus. The homeless nun returns in worse shape than ever and Jackie is happy to have a second chance to help her. Jackie brushes off the overly assuming Antoinette, claiming she wants to do recovery on her own. Antoinette turns to Eddie for help and more. Coop and Carrie find a way to get around their ‘no sex in the hospital’ rule. Jackie comes home to find a wedding invitation from Kevin and Mia. Inside she is shocked to find Frank and his two sons hanging out with Grace and Fi. Frank makes a pitch to get back together. We think Jackie's on board as she looks at the invitation to Kevin's wedding but we're not so sure.

 

 

Episode 610 – “Sidecars and Spermicide”

 

 

Teleplay by: Carly Mensch & Heidi Schreck

 

Story by: Carly Mensch

 

Directed By: Seith Mann

 

As Jackie's drug use intensifies, she realizes she needs to clear the decks of the people closest to her if she wants to keep using. She notices Grace and Frank's son getting a little too close for comfort. And this is all the ammunition she needs. She simplifies her life by breaking up with Frank and getting rid of Antoinette once and for all. Meanwhile, Carrie has forgotten Coop's 40th birthday the morning after they've slept together—and Thor manages to save her with the world's greatest present. The DEA investigation becomes more intense—many members of the staff at All Saints are questioned. And the investigation of Nancy Wood zeroes in on a suspect: Akalitus. And Zoey, now that she's single and has some clarity, decides to take the next step in her career and become a Nurse Practitioner. Jackie meets up with Gabe and we realize that she's going to take him to Kevin's wedding.

 

 

Episode 611 – “Sisterhood

 

Written By: Liz Flahive

 

Directed By: Brendan Walsh

 

It's Kevin's wedding day and Jackie's going–not because she wants to, but because Fiona begged her. Luckily for her, she's got a serious stash to get her through. Akalitus has turned her suspicious eye on Jackie now that the DEA is breathing down her neck. Helen (the drunk nun that Jackie connected with in previous episodes) is brought in after a suicide attempt that will ultimately end her life in a few hours. Jackie cares for Helen along with all the other women in the ER. And to cover her own ass, Jackie convinces Helen to pass herself off as Nancy Wood, which takes Akalitus off the scent. Meanwhile, Carrie demands that Coop introduce her to his mom and he surprises her when he says he can't until they're serious. So Carrie uses her newfound local tv notoriety to out their relationship. But Jackie's drug use is at its zenith and after writing a gorgeous recommendation for Zoey's graduate program, Zoey witnesses Jackie make a near fatal error with a patient. And Zoey's suspicions are raised and then confirmed once Helen dies. Jackie attends Kevin's wedding which is going smoothly until Grace pieces together that Gabe's a dealer. Jackie and Gabe get into an argument that turns physical and after a serious altercation, Jackie and Gabe are both kicked out of Kevin's wedding. And Zoey walks into Akalitus' office to inform her about Jackie.

 

 

Episode 612 – “Flight”

 

Teleplay by: Clyde Phillips & Tom Straw

 

Story by: Abe Sylvia

 

 

Directed By: Jesse Peretz

 

Zoey tells Akalitus that she suspects Jackie may be using drugs again, because Jackie almost killed a patient. But Zoey doesn’t share the damning evidence: a photo that Jackie used to make a fake ID, while blaming a dying patient for stealing Dr. Roman’s DEA number. Meanwhile, Jackie sleeps with Eddie. When Jackie gets to work the next morning, Akalitus orders her to submit to drug testing, or admit that she’s using drugs and enter a ‘diversion program,’ which involves rehab, probation, and a major pay cut. Jackie, ever-defiant, won’t admit a thing. Akalitus tells Jackie if she fails the drug test, she will be stripped of her license and will not be able to practice medicine again. Jackie tries to convince Coop that it was Carrie’s incompetence that almost cost a patient’s life. When Coop confronts Carrie, she takes full responsibility and also tells Coop she’s pregnant with his child. Desperate now, Jackie confronts Zoey, but Zoey won’t back down. She tells Jackie that she will hand over the damning fake ID photo if Jackie doesn’t go to rehab. Akalitus calls Jackie to take the drug test, and Jackie flees the hospital. She stops at Kevin’s apartment to ask her daughters to spend the afternoon with her, but Grace tells Jackie off.  Jackie uses drugs and hits the road – with a suitcase full of pills that Eddie gives her. But as she’s rushing to catch a flight out of New York, she sees a car accident. Her nursing instincts take over, and she helps the injured motorist. When paramedics arrive on the scene, Jackie gets back in her car and drives off – right into an ambulance. The pills in her suitcase go flying. Cops point flashlights into her car and see the drugs. And then, they arrest Jackie Peyton.

 

 

 

BIOS

 

EDIE FALCO

(Jackie Peyton)

 

EDIE FALCO has broken many awards records. For her role as Jackie Peyton in Nurse Jackie, she has won the Emmy® for “Best Actress in a Comedy,” thus making her the only actress to have won an Emmy® in both the comedy and drama categories. This year, she broke the SAG record by earning her 20th nomination; 12 for individual achievement and 8 for her ensemble work. Other credits include winner in AFI’s Top Ten TV Programs of 2009, as well as a 2009 Golden Globe®.  She became the only actress to ever receive the Emmy® Award for ‘Outstanding Lead Actress in a Dramatic Series,’ the Golden Globe® Award for ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Dramatic Television Series,’ and the SAG Award for ‘Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama,’ all in the same year for her performance as ‘Carmela Soprano’ in the groundbreaking series The Sopranos’ debut season. She has subsequently been nominated for each award for every eligible television season, winning two additional Emmy® Awards, another Golden Globe® Award and SAG Award, as well as the American Film Institute’s Award for ‘Female Television Actor of the Year.’  Last year, she appeared off Broadway in The Madrid written by Nurse Jackie executive producer Liz Flahive.  Prior to that, she appeared opposite Ben Stiller in House Of Blue Leaves in which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress.

 

When she received the Television Critics Association Award (TCA) for ‘Individual Achievement in Drama,’ it was the first time in the history of the TCA that this Award was presented to a woman. She is also known to television audiences for her recurring roles in the dramatic series Oz and the acclaimed NBC series Law & Order and Homicide. Falco made her Broadway debut in the Tony® Award-winning play Sideman, which she originated in its off-Broadway production. For her performance, she received a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination for ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play.’ She went on to make her London stage debut in the West End premiere of Sideman, and thereafter opened the London production of the highly successful play The Vagina Monologues. When Falco starred opposite Stanley Tucci in the lauded revival of Frankie And Johnny In The Claire De Lune, the play broke four house box-office records at Broadway’s Belasco Theatre, making it the most successful play on Broadway all season.  More recently she appeared off-Broadway in the highly-acclaimed “This Wide Night.”   

 

For the feature film Cost Of Living, Falco received the American Film Institute’s ‘Best Actress’ Award. Her performance in the film Laws Of Gravity earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for ‘Best Female Lead Actor.’ Her other film credits include A Price Above Rubies, Copland, Trouble Corner, Private Parts, Hurricane, Layin’ Low, Breathing Room, The Funeral, The Addiction, Bullets Over Broadway, Trust, The Unbelievable Truth, Random Hearts and the title character in the award-winning film Judy Berlin. For her performance in John Sayles’ Sunshine State, Falco received the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and New York Film Critics Online Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress.’ She also starred in the feature films The Quiet, The Great New Wonderful and Freedomland.

 

 

MERRITT WEVER

(Zoey Barkow)


MERRITT WEVER graduated from LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts.

 

For her role on as Zoey Barkow on Nurse Jackie, Wever has been nominated twice for an Emmy® Award and won the award for “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy” in 2013. 


Wever has appeared in such feature films as Righteous Kill, Into The Wild, Michael Clayton, Neal Cassady, Twelve & Holding, A Hole In One, Season Of Youth, Bringing Rain, Signs, Series 7: The Contenders, The Adventures Of Sebastian Cole, Arresting Gena, Tough (‘Best Actor’ award, First Run Film Festival), Greenberg, The Missing Person and Tiny Furniture.

 
Her television credits include New Girl, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, Conviction, 1Ž4 Life, NCIS, The Wire, Blue River, Something The Lord Made and The Good Wife.  She was nominated for a 2012 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Nurse Jackie.


Her theater appearances include Sam & Lucy, Bad Girls, Smashing, Cave Dweller, Roulette, Cape Cod Souvenirs, To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday, Running On Earth, Here We Are,Children Of The Flames, Female of the Species, Touch(ed), The Illusion and Uncle Vanya (2012 Joe A. Callaway Award).

 

PAUL SCHULZE

(Eddie Walzer)

 

PAUL SCHULZE is a true New Yorker: raised on the East Side and attended S.U.N.Y. Purchase in Westchester County where he was exposed to theater. Not long after graduating, he landed his first feature film role in the critically acclaimed, independent film Laws of Gravity, which co-starred fellow S.U.N.Y. Purchase alum Edie Falco. Schulze went on to star in numerous films and television series, most notably The Sopranos, where he played ‘Father Phil Intintola,’ a priest with an arguably inappropriate fondness for ‘Carmela Soprano’ (played by Falco).  He also appeared for three seasons in the hugely successful series 24 as CTU director ‘Ryan Chappelle’ before his character’s unexpected and controversial demise.

 

Schulze’s other film credits include Panic Room, where he played the rookie cop opposite Jodie Foster in one of the film’s most intense scenes, and Rambo, where he played missionary ‘Michael Burnett’ who continually butts heads with Sylvester Stallone. 

 

Schulze turned in an emotional performance on the crime-drama Law & Order: SVU as ‘Patrick Holbart,’ a father who has unknowingly sold his children into a human trafficking ring. He has also guest starred on various TV series such as Fairly Legal, Person of Interest, Franklin & Bash, and a recurring role on The Mentalist. Paul will next appear in the road trip comedy You Are Here alongside Zach Galifianakis, Amy Poehler, and Owen Wilson.

 

DOMINIC FUMUSA

(Kevin Peyton)

 

DOMINIC FUMUSA is currently starring in Sarah Ruhl's play Stage Kiss at Playwrights Horizons in New York.  (In 2010 he starred in Ms. Ruhl's critically-acclaimed Passion Play in New York).  Other recent stage work includes Stephen Belber’s hit plays The Power of Duff (opposite Greg Kinnear) at NY Stage & Film and Fault Lines, directed by David Schwimmer at the Cherry Lane Theater. In New York and in London, Fumusa originated the role of ‘Toddy Koovitz’ in Richard Greenberg’s Tony® Award-winning Take Me Out, directed by Joe Mantello. In New York, London and Los Angeles, he created the character of ‘Vince’ (a role that was specifically written for him) in Stephen Belber’s Tape. He also starred in the New York premiere of Melissa James Gibson's Obie Award-winning [Sic]  at SoHo Repertory.  Fumusa made his Broadway debut opposite Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino in Wait Until Dark. Other Broadway credits include A Flea In Her Ear at the Roundabout Theater Company.  In addition, he portrayed Mitch Albom in a six-month, twelve-city national tour of Tuesdays With Morrie, opposite Harold Gould. Regional credits include plays at the Guthrie, Huntington, Kennedy Center, Actors Theater of Louisville, Williamstown, NY Stage & Film, The Stratford Festival of Canada and Chicago Shakespeare.

 

Fumusa's feature film work includes the upcoming Focus (opposite Will Smith and Margot Robbie).  Other films include Allegiance (with Aidan Quinn), Little New York (opposite Ethan Hawke), Helena From The Wedding (opposite Corey Stoll and Melanie Lynskey), Management (with Jennifer Aniston), This Is A Story About Ted And Alice (opposite Melissa Leo), Dealbreaker (directed and written by Gwyneth Paltrow), and Grilled (opposite Burt Reynolds).

 

Fumusa’s other television credits include Damages, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, SHOWTIME’s Brotherhood, Person of Interest, Bones, Kings, NYPD Blue, Hack, Numb3rs, Threshold, and numerous appearances on the Law & Order and CSI franchises.

 

 

ANNA DEAVERE SMITH

(Gloria Akalitus)

 

ANNA DEAVERE SMITH has performed in film, television and on stage. She has received numerous awards for her work including the prestigious 2013 Gish Prize for achievement in the arts, the 2013 National Humanities Medal, and the 1996 MacArthur Award.

Smith has been featured in several films, including Rachel Getting Married, The American PresidentThe Human StainDave and Rent.  She was a regular on the CBS series Presidio Med and she played the National Security Advisor on the West Wing.

Smith has been said to have created a new form of theater which combines journalism, dramatic writing and keen acting skills.  She creates one-person shows, based on interviews, in which she portrays several characters – as many as 46 in one show. She has toured the US and abroad, to critical acclaim with her plays Fires in the Mirror, Twilight Los Angeles, and Let Me Down Easy. Those plays were also broadcast on PBS. 

She has received honorary degrees from Juilliard, The University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern among many other schools. She is a professor at New York University and is the author of the books Talk To Me: Travels in Media and Letter to a Young Artist: Straight Up Advice on Making a Life in the Arts.  She is founding director of Anna Deavere Smith Works, an organization based out of the Aspen Institute that convenes artists from around the world who use art to enhance the betterment of humankind.

 

STEPHEN WALLEM

(Thor)

 

STEPHEN WALLEM was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois and worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on NURSE JACKIE. National tours include FOREVER PLAID, INTO THE WOODS and SCROOGE with Richard Chamberlain. He accrued nearly 2,500 performances as both ‘Jinx’ and ‘Sparky’ in various companies of FOREVER PLAID, including Chicago, Las Vegas, Denver and the first national tour.

 

He recently made his professional opera debut in New York City Opera’s ANNA NICOLE at BAM, following his appearance as Shrek in The Muny production of Shrek the Musical in St. Louis. He portrayed 'Hazel' in the Encores! City Center production of Pipe Dream, 'Judas’/‘Padre’ in the Court Theatre’s acclaimed production of Man Of La Mancha (After Dark Award for ‘Outstanding Performance,’ Joseph Jefferson Award for ‘Best Ensemble’) and reprised his performance at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. For the Ravinia Festival, he appeared with Tony® winners Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Michael Cerveris and George Hearn in A Little Night Music, Passion, Sunday In The Park With George and Doll with David Hyde Pierce (all directed by Lonny Price).

 

In New York, Wallem originated the role of ‘Arvid’ in the Broadway workshop of Kristina, written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA. He also performed his cabarets Off the Wallem and Schwartz and All at Don't Tell Mama and Birdland along with guest appearances in the Sondheim Unplugged series at 54 Below. He teamed with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret The Other Steve and Edie at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

 

Because of NURSE JACKIE incorporating his own experiences as a Type 1 diabetic into Thor’s storyline, Stephen was asked to serve as the celebrity ambassador for Picture This: Diabetes, a national diabetes awareness campaign sponsored by Entertainment Industries Council and Novo Nordisk. On behalf of the campaign, Stephen has spoken in Chicago, Atlanta and on Capitol Hill as well as appearing in a national public service announcement. He also received the 2012 JDRF Angel Award with sister Linda.

 

 

BETTY GILPIN

(Dr. Carrie Roman)

 

BETTY GILPIN recently starred in the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater’s production of Lucy Thurber’s Where We’re Born and also created the role of ‘Elizabeth’ in the premiere of Sam Shepard’s Heartless at the Signature Theatre in New York.  In 2013, she wrapped production on the film Take Care, which will premiere at the SXSW film festival, and Rupert Goold’s True Story, in which she co-stars alongside James Franco and Jonah Hill. Gilpin made her Off-Broadway debut in the Second Stage’s production of Roberto Aguirre-Saca’s Good Boys and True and appeared in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Language Archive, the Second Stage’s production of Howard Korder’s Boys Life and in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s productions of That Face and We Live Here.  She co-starred with Wendie Malick in Noah Haidle’s two character play, What is the Cause of Thunder? at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and also co-starred in the world premiere of Lucas Kavner’s Fish Eye at Here in New York. Additional television and film appearances include The Good Wife, Past Life, The Unusuals, Possible Side Effects, Fringe, New Amsterdam, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: SVU, Medium, Death in Love, The Northern Kingdom, Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais and the soon-to-be released Beach Pillows.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Fordham College at Lincoln Center and lives in New York City. 

 

 

ADAM FERRARA

(Officer Frank Verelli)

 

ADAM FERRARA, the stand-up comedian and actor who Entertainment Weekly dubbed “hilarious,” proudly played Chief Needles Nelson on the Emmy® nominated FX drama Rescue Me.  He has also costarred alongside Kevin James in the hit movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop and in Definitely Maybe with Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher.

 

Besides hosting the critically-acclaimed BBC sensation, Top Gear US, Ferrara is an internationally touring headliner.  A two-time nominee for best male stand-up by the American Comedy Awards, he appears on numerous TV shows, including The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Late Show With David Letterman, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, The View and Rachael Ray. His third comedy special is entitled Funny as Hell where he brings the stage to life with his honest, clever and fearless perspective on family, relationships and himself. 

 

Ferrara began his TV career on NBC’s Caroline in the City. Since then, he has appeared as a series regular in the critically acclaimed ABC series The Job, which also starred Denis Leary.  He also guest-starred on NBC’s Law & Order and was a frequent guest star on the CBS hit The King Of Queens and ABC’s Ugly Betty. At a Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour, Denis Leary was quoted as saying, “Adam Ferrara is a great comedian, but he’s really pissing me off now because he’s become such a great dramatic actor.”

 

Apart from opening for his comedy idol, George Carlin, and performing at both Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, Ferrara was asked to perform at a benefit for the President and all of the Senators. Stuck in traffic on the way to the event, Ferrara quipped, “I’m still moving faster than Congress.” 

 

 

RUBY JERINS

(Grace)

 

RUBY JERINS played Robert Pattinson’s sister in the Summit feature, Remember Me. In 2010, Jerins starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in the Martin Scorsese feature, Shutter Island.

 

The daughter of artist Edgar Jerins and actress Alana Jerins, and sister of child actress Sterling Jerins, she made her début in the film The Wedding in 2001, alongside Jaid Barrymore and Stephen C. Bradbury, playing the flower girl. Jerins has also guest-starred or recurred in television series such as Kidnapped, Law & Order, The Guiding Light, As The World Turns, Six Degrees and SNL.

 

Jerins is a trained professional ballet dancer and recently performed a solo with the American Ballet Theatre Company in their production of Les Sylphides at The Metropolitan Opera Theatre in Lincoln Center. She is currently attending the illustrious La Guardia High School in NYC where she continues to hone her craft.

 

 

MACKENZIE ALADJEM

(Fiona)

 

MACKENZIE ALADJEM, at the ripe old age of twelve, just wrapped her fifth season as a series regular on NURSE JACKIE. Mackenzie has enjoyed growing up alongside the talented cast and crew of Nurse Jackie.  She especially loves spending time with her on screen sister, Ruby Jerins. Aladjem started her entertainment industry career when, at the age of seven, she was cast as "Molly" in the National Broadway Tour of Annie. Recent film credits include The Lincoln Lawyer and This is Forty, and other television credits include the Lifetime movie Of Two Minds, and recurring roles in ParenthoodThe Middle, All My Children, and Passions. When she's not acting, Aladjem loves to sing, dance, and play with her four dogs Charlie, Jackson, Lucy and Lucky.  

 

 

PETER FACINELLI

(Dr. Fitch Cooper)


PETER FACINELLI recently appeared on the big screen as Dr. Carlisle Cullen in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 2. He also starred in the previous four installments of the blockbuster franchise, TWILIGHT, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW Moon, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE and THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1, all of which are based on Stephenie Meyer's #1 New York Times bestselling literary series.   He can next be seen in the film GALLOWS HILL, directed by Victor Garcia and written by Richard Do’Ovidio. 

 

Facinelli’s past film credits include FREEZER with Dylan McDermott, Penny Marshall's RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS with Drew Barrymore, THE SCORPION KING opposite Dwayne Johnson, the dramedy FINDING AMANDA with Matthew Broderick, TEMPTED with Burt Reynolds and Saffron Burroughs, a starring role in Walter Hills' sci-fi thriller SUPERNOVA with James Spader and Angela Bassett, THE BIG KAHUNA opposite Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito, DANCER, TEXAS, POP.81, FOXFIRE alongside Angelina Jolie, and the cult classic CAN’T HARDLY WAIT opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt.

 
For television, Facinelli recently wrapped the sixth season of Showtime's critically-acclaimed series “Nurse Jackie” on which he stars opposite Edie Falco as Dr. Cooper, a golden boy afflicted with a quirky variation of Tourette's Syndrome.  Among its numerous accolades, the show has earned Emmy, SAG, Golden Globe and Writers Guild Award nominations, as well as being named one of AFI’s Top Ten Television Shows of 2009.  Facinelli’s past television credits include the following: a recent guest starring role on “Glee,” a pivotal supporting role on the 2007 season of “Damages,” FX's award-winning legal thriller starring Glenn Close; a recurring role on the award winning HBO Series “Six Feet Under,” for which he shared the cast's 2005 nomination for the SAG Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama; as well as a starring role in McG's sexy one-hour drama “Fastlane” in 2003.

 

In 2010, Facinelli started a production company, A7sle Films. A7sle Films' first feature, LOOSIES, was a fast-paced dramatic comedy that Facinelli wrote and starred in about a successful pickpocket in the New York City subways. Most recently, A7sle partnered with FilmDistrict to co-finance the true story horror picture, THE LAST WORD, based on a documentary of the same name about Johnny Frank Garrett, which will be released in 2014. They have also acquired the rights to “Street Soldier: My Life as an Enforcer for Whitey Bulger and the Boston Irish Mob” by Edward Mackenzie Jr. and Phyllis Karas which they have set up as an event series at Fox.  The company has produced projects across film, TV and digital platforms with Electus, 5x5, Boom Comics, College Humor, YouTube, ISH, and ARC Productions.

 

Venturing out of traditional Hollywood, A7sle Films is set to debut their first comic book, PROTOCOL: ORPHANS, this month.  The series, written by Michael Alan Nelson (DAY MEN, Supergirl) and illustrated by Mariano Navarro (DESCENDANT) and distributed by Boom! Comics, is an action-packed espionage series with a compelling cast of young characters struggling with their transition into adulthood.  They have also sold a YA novel, After the Red Rain, to Little Brown Company which Facinelli will write with Barry Lyga and Rob DeFranco.  After the Red Rain is set in a future world of environmental collapse and mass poverty, where a mysterious boy named Rose discovers he possesses inhuman powers that can irrevocably change the lives of everyone on the planet.

 

A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Facinelli splits his time between New York and Los Angeles.

 

 

MORRIS CHESTNUT

(Dr. Ike Prentiss)

MORRIS CHESTNUT is in high demand for leading roles in major motion pictures, having starred in films such as “Think Like A Man” (Kevin Hart), “Not Easily Broken” (Taraji Henson), “The Game Plan” (Dwayne "The Rock” Johnson) and “Ladder 49” (with John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix).

Born in Cerritos, California, the athletic actor grew up playing sports and attended college at Cal State Los Angeles before entering the film business in 1990 with a small role in “Freddy's Nightmares.” This led him to a memorable co-starring role as high school football player, Ricky Baker, in director John Singleton's acclaimed “Boyz n the Hood,” a part that brought the actor into mainstream Hollywood stardom.

Among his many credits are the films “The Cave,” “Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid,” “Like Mike,” “The Last Boy Scout,” “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,” “G.I. Jane,” “The Best Man,” “The Brothers,” “Breaking All the Rules,” “Confidence,” “Two Can Play That Game,” “G.I. Jane,” “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,” and “The Inkwell.”

Recent theatrical releases for Morris Chestnut include “Identity Thief” (Melissa McCarthy and Jason Batemen) and “The Call” (Halle Berry). His latest release was the highly anticipated sequel to his starring role in “The Best Man” entitled “The Best Man Holiday.” Television-wise, he returns in the upcoming season of Showtime’s critically-acclaimed “Nurse Jackie” (Edie Falco) and this year launches the new TNT series “Legends” (Sean Bell).

He has also appeared on numerous television series such as “American Horror Story,” “V,” and “C-16: FBI.” 

 

LAURA BENANTI

(Mia)

 

LAURA BENANTI has brought her unique abilities to comedies, dramas and musicals since she took Broadway by storm at the age of 18.

She received a Drama Desk award, Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Nomination for her starring role in the Broadway production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown for Lincoln Center, where she also starred in Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play. Ms. Benanti also demonstrated her comic flair in the Public Theater's production of Christopher Durang's Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them.

Ms. Benanti earned the 2008 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her revelatory portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy opposite Patti LuPone and directed by Arthur Laurents. Her other Broadway roles include her Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominated performance of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods and her sultry Tony nominated turn in Swing! She also starred opposite Antonio Banderas as his muse in the celebrated revival of Nine.  Benanti began her multifaceted career as Maria in The Sound of Music opposite Richard Chamberlain.

Other distinguished theater performances include Perdita in The Winter's Tale at the Williamstown Theatre Festival opposite Kate Burton, Anne in A Little Night Music at the L.A. Opera opposite Victor Garber, and Eileen in City Center Encores Wonderful Town opposite Donna Murphy. Benanti completed a week-long engagement at the popular New York cabaret club, 54 Below, for which The New York Times hailed her as a "supremely confident" performer whose "bright, full soprano, with its semioperatic heft, can go almost anywhere."  In September 2013, she released her debut album, "In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention: Live at 54 BELOW" on Broadway Records.

Ms. Benanti recently wrapped production on the NBC sitcom GO ON in which she starred opposite Matthew Perry. Recently she starred in the NBC series The Playboy Club. Other television roles include co-starring on Starved, recurring roles on Royal PainsThe Big CLaw & Order: SVU, and Eli Stone, as well as guest starring on Elementary and Life On Mars. Benanti can be seen in the films Take the Lead and Meskada. She was recently seen in NBC's live The Sound of Music.

She currently resides in Manhattan.

 

JULIE WHITE

(Antoinette)

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Julie White was late to her high school sophomore English class so often that she had accumulated two-and-a-half hours of detention.  When she showed up to do her time, she discovered that her English teacher was holding auditions for the big school production of “Guys and Dolls.”  He told Julie that she could avoid sitting though detention if she would audition for the play, which she did and was cast as Miss Adelaide.  She found her calling and has been acting ever since.

On the big screen, Julie most recently co-starred in “Lincoln” for Steven Spielberg opposite Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Fields.  She has been a staple in the indie film market in such films as: “Hello I Must Be Going”, “Inside Out”, “My Idiot Brother” and “Killing Karma.” Studio films include: “Transformers 1, 2 & 3” and “Michael Clayton,” opposite George Clooney, “The Astronaut Farmer,” starring Billy Bob Thornton, “War of the Worlds,” with Tom Cruise, “Slap Her…She’s French,” “What Women Want,” with Mel Gibson and “Say It Isn’t So.” 

On television, Julie most recently co-starred opposite John Goodman in "Alpha House."  As a series regular she was memorably seen on "Go On" opposite Matthew Perry, “Cavemen” and previously as Nadine Swoboda on ABC’s “Grace Under Fire” and guest starred on such shows as “Damages,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Six Feet Under,” “Ally McBeal,” “JAG,” “Strong Medicine,” “Touched By an Angel,” “Arli$$” and “Law & Order.”


A Broadway and Off Broadway veteran, she has starred in SONYA VANYA MASHA AND SPIKE, THE UNDERSTUDY, 12th NIGHT and FROM UP HERE, and in 2007, won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her role in “The Little Dog Laughed.”  She also appeared on Broadway in “The Heidi Chronicles” and at the Mark Taper Forum in “Expecting Isabel” and “Money and Friends.”

Julie lives in New York area with her Pomeranian, Lulu.  She enjoys playing golf and spending time on a ranch in Texas, which has been in the family for 100 years.  She is active in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and supports environmental causes

 

CLYDE PHILLIPS

Executive Producer

 

Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated showrunner Clyde Phillips returns as Executive Producer of Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie.”  Phillips has vast experience in both drama and comedy, having been the showrunner of the Showtime hit “Dexter” for four years.  Additionally, he created Get RealSuddenly Susan, and Parker Lewis Can’t Lose; as well as working on Boomtown as Consulting Producer.  Prior to that, Phillips produced several made-for-television movies including Police Story and Charles & Diana.  A national bestselling mystery novelist, Phillips’s fourth book “Unthinkable” will be published this Spring.

 

He lives in Wilton, Connecticut and on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

 

TOM STRAW
Executive Producer

TOM STRAW is an Emmy and Writer’s Guild-nominated writer-producer as well as New York Times best-selling author.


After a decade as a DJ, radio programmer, and TV weathercaster, Straw began his television writing career on the CBS sitcom, Mary. After joining the hit NBC series Night Court, his writing was recognized with two WGA “Best Comedy Writer” nominations in consecutive years and the show was nominated for an Emmy for “Best Comedy Series.”


Straw co-executive produced Parker Lewis Can’t Lose in its first season (his first of several collaborations with Clyde Phillips), then went on to become executive producer of Good & Evil and Nurses, for which he also wrote and directed multiple episodes.  He also directed episodes for The Home Court.  Straw has also executive produced Dave’s World and Grace Under Fire for which he was also the head writer.  After moving to the New York Area, Straw took over as the head writer and executive producer of Cosby and later, Whoopi.  Other television credits include a stint as a writer for The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  Straw’s first novel, The Trigger Episode, a mystery, was published in 2007 by Carroll & Graf, New York. Under a pseudonym, he subsequently has written five mystery novels, all of which have been top-10 New York Times Bestsellers.  He lives in Connecticut with his family.

 

 

RICHIE JACKSON

Executive Producer

 

RICHIE JACKSON is the president of Jackson Group Entertainment, a production and management firm. His producing credits include the Broadway musical A Catered Affair (‘Best Musical,’ Drama League Award) written by Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino, directed by John Doyle, and the film Shortbus, written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Jackson recently produced the highly-acclaimed off-Broadway play This Wide Night starring Edie Falco.        

LIZ FLAHIVE
Executive Producer

Liz Flahive's plays include The Madrid (MTC/Ars Nova) and From Up Here (MTC, Drama Desk and Outer Critic Circle Nominations). From Up Here received the 2008 John Gassner Playwriting Award from the Outer Critics Circle.  Liz's plays have been developed at Williamstown Theater Festival, Naked Angels, Keen Company, Sundance Institute Playwrights Retreat at Ucross Foundation and Ars Nova. She is a founding member of Playgroup (Ars Nova), a recipient of MTC's Bank Of America's New Play Commission and a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Department of Dramatic Writing. She has worked on all six seasons and is now an Executive Producer of SHOWTIME’S Nurse Jackie.  Liz has developed pilots for FX and Universal. Her feature film, Brother's Keeper, (co-written with her husband Jeff Cox) starring Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale is currently shooting in New York.  

 

 

NURSE JACKIE SEASON 6

CREDITS

 

CAST

Jackie Peyton................................................................ EDIE FALCO

Zoey Barkow........................................................ MERRITT WEVER

Eddie Walzer.......................................................... PAUL SCHULZE

Kevin Peyton..................................................... DOMINIC FUMUSA

Gloria Akalitus......................................... ANNA DEAVERE SMITH

Thor.................................................................... STEPHEN WALLEM

Dr. Carrie Roman....................................................... BETTY GILPIN

Officer Frank Verelli............................................. ADAM FERRARA

Grace........................................................................... RUBY JERINS

Fiona........................................................... MACKENZIE ALADJEM

Dr. Fitch “Coop” Cooper................................... PETER FACINELLI

 

 

SPECIAL GUEST STAR CREDIT

 

Dr. Ike Prentiss............................................... MORRIS CHESTNUT

 

GUEST STAR CREDITS

(In Alphabetical Order)

 

 

Mia.......................................................................... LAURA BENANTI     

DEA Agent Dick Richards....................... ROBERT JOHN BURKE     

Hipster Dude Gabe.............................................. MICHAEL ESPER

Paramedic................................................................ KATIE FLAHIVE     

Pat Kiernan................................................................. PAT KIERNAN

Malik................................................................... CURTIS McCLARIN

Mrs. Harrison.......................................................... SEPIDEH MOAFI

Joey.......................................................................... CORY NICHOLS     

Helen........................................................... DEIRDRE O’CONNELL

Tommy............................................................................ ZACH RAND     

Mrs. Gabor................................................................ JANA ROBBINS

 Mandy...................................................... JULIA GOLDANI TELLES     

Antoinette...................................................................... JULIE WHITE     

 

PRODUCTION CREDITS

 

Created by .... EVAN DUNSKY and LIZ BRIXIUS & LINDA WALLEM

Executive Producers .......................................... CLYDE PHILLIPS

......................................................................................... TOM STRAW

............................................................................... RICHIE JACKSON

......................................................................................... LIZ FLAHIVE

....................................................................... CARYN MANDABACH

Supervising Producer........................................... JESSE PERETZ

Producers..... ELLEN FAIREY, ABE SYLVIA, CARLY MENSCH,

................................. MICHELE GIORDANO, BRAD CARPENTER

Consulting Producers................... LINDA WALLEM, LIZ BRIXIUS

Director of Photography............................................ JOE COLLINS

Production Designer..................................................... RAY KLUGA

Edited by..... AGNES CHALLE-GRANDITS, GARY LEVY, A.C.E.

Music by ............................................................................ PAT IRWIN

Casting by .......................................... JULIE TUCKERSON, C.S.A.

................................................................ ROSS MEYERSON, C.S.A.

Music Supervisor..................................................... MICHAEL HILL

Costume Designer ................................................... INGRID PRICE

Associate Producers... RUSS HAMMONDS, BRIAN SABOWSKI

 

 

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