PBS announced today that MERCY STREET is adding new actors and directors to the series' robust talent list for Season Two, which is currently in production in Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia.
MERCY STREET's new cast members:
Tony Award-winner and Emmy Award-Nominee Brían F. O'Byrne ("Mildred Pierce," "Aquarius") is Allan Pinkerton, head of the Union Intelligence Service, based on the real Pinkerton.
Tony Award-winner Patina Miller (Pippin, "Madam Secretary," The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Parts 1 & 2) is Charlotte Jenkins, a black Northern abolitionist and former slave who escaped to freedom years before through the
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (a composite of numerous historical figures, most prominently Harriet Jacobs).
Tony Award-nominee Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Heidi Chronicles) is Maj. Clayton McBurney III, the new hospital chief.
MERCY STREET's new directors:
Stephen Cragg, who is directing episodes one and two, is an Emmy Award-winning director. His directing credits include episodes of "Scandal," "Nashville," "How to Get Away With Murder," "ER," "Boston Legal," "Grey's Anatomy," "Southland," "Doogie Howser, MD" and many others.
Laura Innes, who is directing episodes three and four, is best known for her long-running role as Dr. Kerry Weaver on "ER." She has directed episodes of "How to Get Away With Murder," "The Affair," "Brothers & Sisters," "The West Wing," "Grey's Anatomy" and others.
Director of episodes five and six to be announced.
The returning ensemble cast for Season Two of
MERCY STREET includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane, "The Returned," The Spectacular Now) as nurse Mary Phinney, Josh Radnor ("How I Met Your Mother," Liberal Arts, Broadway's Disgraced) as Dr. Jedediah Foster, Gary Cole ("Veep," "The Good Wife," "Entourage") as James Green, Sr., Hannah James as Emma Green, Brad Koed Jr. as James Green, Jr., Norbert Leo Butz ("Bloodline") as Dr. Byron Hale, Tara Summers ("You're the Worst," "Rake," "Boston Legal") as nurse Anne Hastings, McKinley Belcher III ("Show Me a Hero," "Chicago PD") as Samuel Diggs, Jack Falahee ("How to Get Away With Murder") as Frank Stringfellow, AnnaSophia Robb ("The Carrie Diaries," The Way, Way Back, Bridge to Terabithia) as Alice Green, Donna Murphy ("Resurrection," "Hindsight," Broadway's Passion and The King and I) as Jane Green, L. Scott Caldwell ("Southland," "Lost," "ER," The Fugitive) as Belinda, Suzanne Bertish ("Rome") as Hospital Matron Brannan and Luke Macfarlane ("Brothers and Sisters," "Over There") as Chaplain Hopkins.
The first season, executive produced by Ridley Scott (The Martian, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise); David W. Zucker ("The Good Wife" and "The Man in the High Castle") of Scott Free; Lisa Q. Wolfinger ("Desperate Crossing, The untold story of the Mayflower") and David Zabel ("ER"), drew a 3.85 rating (Nielsen Live + 7) for the January 17, 2016, premiere, reaching more than 5.7 million viewers (persons 2+). The series' six episodes have streamed more than two million times (from January 14-March 6) across all platforms, including
PBS station websites, PBS.org and
PBS apps for iOS, Android, FireTV, ROKU, Apple TV, Xbox 360 and Windows 10.
"We are thrilled to add these talented actors and directors to the
MERCY STREET production, both behind and in front of the camera," said co-creator and executive producer Lisa Q. Wolfinger. "They each individually bring a new perspective to the series, and together, will take Season Two to new heights."
"It has been a privilege for all of us on
MERCY STREET to be able to tell these stories at the intersection of drama and history. This new season, with new faces, presents an exciting opportunity to build on all we've accomplished in Season One," said co-creator and executive producer David Zabel. "Having worked with Stephen Cragg and Laura Innes for many years at 'ER,' and then on many projects since, I am eager to bring their considerable talents to this great ensemble."
"We're thrilled to welcome a new set of actors, directors and historical advisors to the
MERCY STREET family for Season Two, as well as introduce viewers to compelling new characters with captivating story lines," said executive producer David W. Zucker.
"Season One of
MERCY STREET received such a positive response, and
PBS is delighted to add these new members to our talented and diverse cast and crew for Season Two," said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Officer and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS.
