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Dylan Walsh
Dr. Sean McNamaraENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What's it like playing Sean?
DYLAN WALSH (above left, pictured with season 3 costar Bruno Campos): I feel like he's ever on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He takes such a moral stance sometimes and then turns around five minutes later and is just as wrong as Christian. I watch him and cringe but also am thankful because that's what brings the show home.
Does the series ever go too far?
It's such a heightened reality. Let's face it — it's not like ER. Our reality is way over the top from the first frame, and then each story line kind of culminates in a season finale every week. That would be dangerous on any other show, but this is why I'm proud of ours. We're relentless.
Are you surprised by how much actually gets on the air?
I was particularly surprised with the conjoined-twins episode [in which Sean and Christian share a prostitute]. I really tipped my hat to FX to have the nerve to show it. Ryan operates from such a boundless imaginary place, but to actually broadcast this stuff shows courage in today's political environment. We are going further this year; I hope we don't get any sense of having to pull back.
How awkward was it shooting that sex scene with the Kimber doll?
I cringed, of course. It's not just 4 million people watching on a Tuesday night, it's also shooting in front of a crew of 30 or 40 people. We needed something outrageous for Sean so he could play through his angst. Normally on Nip/Tuck we joke about everything to keep our sanity, but this was too unsettling.
Can you imagine ever doing this show without Ryan Murphy?
I have to say yes, only because I wouldn't want the show to end — though it would be different. My fear is whether [the next exec producer] would have enough nerve. Ryan's the one who had it all along. He can write a great husband-and-wife scene in the kitchen and can turn around and write black humor that's scathing. I don't know anybody else who can do both so well.
Plastic surgery: Pro or con?
If it's something that's not going to be life-threatening and will make someone feel better — sure, but those are such hazy guidelines. And we're still talking about surgery. I love the paradox — mixing violent surgery with the simple vain desire to look better. I love how the show stirs that up.
Who is the Carver?
Ryan changes his mind every minute. When we get the scripts we're a little bit on edge because we know the show can go anywhere and you could be killed. He has even gone so far as to drop hints that it could be me. But I hope not. You don't want to betray three years of a show that people thought was one thing and then suddenly becomes something else. That would be too bizarre.
BURNING QUESTION Will Sean forgive Julia for having Christian's baby? It doesn't really matter, as Julia is the one pursuing a divorce in the season opener. ''They have to come apart to get back together,'' hints Murphy. ''If they do split up, I believe the audience will be rooting for them to get back together. But before he forgives her, he has to learn to forgive himself.'' And that also involves his medical practice: This season, Sean has a come-to-Jesus moment about his career and contemplates whether to seek a new line of work.
