10 Best Medical Examiner Characters on TV Shows, From NCIS’ Ducky to Sherlock’s Molly Hopper

Medical examiners are often forgotten in film and television, as the more glamorous role of detective is usually centered in crime stories. However, there are Several television shows with strong medical examiner characters, Sometimes even put them in the role of protagonist. The character of the medical examiner is often logical and dedicated to finding the truth often serving as foils for the courageous and action-oriented detectives. Many of the most exciting crime dramas give their doctors and scientists the opportunity to go outside the laboratory and see what it’s like in the field.

While not every crime show is a procedural, many of them fall into this genre. Some of the best TV procedurals came out in the 2000s when the genre branched out to include crime, medical dramas and much more. Almost every procedural that focuses on violence and uses the murder-of-the-week formula will have a medical examiner. In a major or recurring role. The characters stand out and remain a key part of the cast when the performers have good chemistry with the other actors. As well as when the role is well-written and multi-dimensional.

10

Dr Lanny Parish – Castle (2009–2015)

Played by Tamala Jones

Lani’s relationship with Detective Kate Beckett is one of the strongest female friendships on the show, But that’s not the only reason she’s a vital character. Although Castle Often focused on the will-they-will-they dynamic between Castle and Beckett, it’s always refreshing to get Lanny’s perspective and hear her flirt with Beckett. Lanny was a supporter of the budding romance between Castle and Beckett and encouraged Beckett to explore the possibilities of their relationship.

All the best Castle Episodes incorporate The elements of humor and suspense that give the series its unique tone, And Tamala Jones always captured that balance perfectly. Although Lani didn’t get as much screen time as the two leads or as many dedicated plot lines, she still always made her mark when she was on screen. Later in the series, when she took Castle’s daughter Alexis under her wing, it proved that Lanny wasn’t just Beckett’s friend anymore; She and Schloss also became close.

9

Dr. Megan Hunt – Body of Evidence (2011–2013)

Played by Donna Delaney

Although short-lived, Body of proof It’s all about being a medical examiner, as the protagonist, Megan Hunt, has to take on the job against her will. Despite her prickly personality and distaste for the job, Megan is an expert in her field And turns out to have what it takes to be a great investigator. After giving up her career as a neurosurgeon after a traumatic accident, Megan is forced to save her skills, and take a job as a medical examiner. She has no problem telling her colleagues what she thinks about the profession.

Donna Delaney was the perfect choice to play Megan, How her sharp-witted delivery matches the character’s intelligence and dark humor. It’s an exciting development and incorporates some action into the science show to see Megan leave the lab and start keeping up with the detectives. Body of proof Is different from other series that centers on the medical side of crime because Megan is never ready to take a back seat.

8

Liv Moore – iZombie (2015–2019)

Played by Rose McIver

It lasted for several seasons iZombie To find its footing, how the series that began as a straightforward police procedural with a supernatural twist evolved into something much more dramatic and compelling. however, When audiences first meet Liv, she is a promising medical resident turned medical examiner. It’s a job she takes on when she realizes that the dead bodies will provide the brains she needs. After being turned into a zombie, it’s your only choice.

Not content to merely exist, Liv uses her zombie abilities to help solve murders and take control of her life. As the series progresses, Liv gains more agency and eventually grapples with the problems of zombies and humans coexisting. With Liv taking on a large role in the political landscape of her supernatural world, her skills as a medical examiner remain important, and she takes a keen interest in solving crimes when the zombie and human worlds collide.

7

Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers – Law & Order Franchise

Played by Leslie Hendricks

The detectives and lawyers on the many Law & Order Series take center stage, with the main characters even getting their own storylines. However, it’s the recurring roles that make the world of these Law & Order Franchise feel so lived within in four of the series including the original Law & Order And SVU, Leslie Hendricks played Elizabeth Rodgers, the medical examiner to the investigators When they needed answers. Like many characters in her position in procedurals, Rodgers doesn’t appreciate interruptions from the detectives.

The Law & Order Universe is good at keeping the characters confined to their respective fields, so Rodgers is never seen stepping into the investigations and is typically seen in the lab. Rodgers is one of the longest-running recurring characters in the franchise, And her strong personality and memorable attitude are what made the different series keep her back. While the detectives and lawyers do their best to bring a case home, they need the help of professionals like Rodgers.

6

Dr. “Woody” Strode – Psych (2006–2014)

Played by Kurt Fuller

While Shawn and Gus are the best dynamic duo on Psychic And have excellent comedic timing, Dr. Woody’s introduction gave them a run for their money. in Psychic Season 4, Kurt Fuller joined the cast as Woody, The offbeat medical examiner who was funny enough to give Shawn pause. Although his theories about the cause of death of victims brought to his laboratory are not always accurate or even possible, he comes in each case with the best intentions.

Woody was an important enough character He appeared in several of the movie’s spinoffs And made an impression on both Gus and Shawn. Like every part of PsychicWoody is funny, funny, and not to be taken too seriously, especially when he does something that makes no sense. After four seasons, it only made sense that Psychic would finally introduce a medical examiner that fit the tone and themes of the show, and Woody was the perfect character to do it.

5

Molly Hooper – Sherlock (2010-2017)

Played by Louise Brealey

Molly often got the short end of the stick SherlockAs compared to the titular Sherlock Holmes. She was not a talented investigator, and she spent much of the series with an awkward crush on the detective. However, she grew in power and agency as the series progressed and eventually realized that Sherlock was never going to be there for her like she wanted him to be. Adding Molly as a character was an interesting modernization that the series made To keep up with the present time.

There are many detective TV shows like SherlockBut few have captured the unique chemistry of the series’ main cast. While Watson and Sherlock are the central figures, Molly played unexpectedly important roles, and Because of her kindness and empathy, the other characters cared a lot about her. While Sherlock didn’t really need a medical examiner, as he could ascertain the details of a murder with a glance, it turned out that Molly as a friend is much better.

4

Dr. Albert Robbins – CSI (2000–2015)

Played by Robert David Hall

There were several things CSI did better than other crime procedurals, and the dedication to science was one of them. While the CSIs are often focused on evidence analysis and data, they still need a medical professional to step in and help them identify remains and assess wounds on victims. Robert David Hall played the medical examiner Al Robbins in the main series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation And there were many cases that would have been impossible to crack without him.

The rest of the team not only turn to Al when they need help with a case but also when they’re looking for advice or to throw ideas around. As one of the most intelligent characters in CSIThere are few topics Al can’t talk about, and he approaches every situation logically. Although his best chemistry was with Gil Grissom, Al responds well to successive heads of the department, like DB Russell, as they come in and out of the season in CSI.

3

Dr. Maura Dorothea Isles – Rizzoli & Isles (2010–2016)

Played by Sasha Alexander

Best friends Maura Isles and Jane Rizzoli couldn’t be more different, But somehow the pair make the perfect team. While Rizzoli isn’t afraid to poke fun at Isles every chance she gets, it’s always with love and because she knows Isles is often the smartest person in the room. With Rizzoli as the hardened detective and Isles the logical medical examiner, the two of them have the skills to solve any case that comes their way.

Over the years, it’s been impressive how willing Isles is to side with Rizzoli to make fun of her, but Isles gets plenty of jabs of her own. As much as Rizzoli would be hesitant to admit it, she needs Isles, and it’s often Isles’ expertise that helps solve the most difficult cases. Since Isles is not as extroverted as Rizzoli, she is more comfortable in the lab, Dealing with the science, as it is something she understands well. However, Rizzoli always pushes you to get out of your shell and try new things.

2

Dr. Camille Saroyan – Bones (2005–2017)

Played by Tamara Taylor

Cam Saroyan was first introduced in Bones Season 2 As the new head of the Jeffersonian’s forensics division, both Bones and the team aren’t sure what to make of their new boss. Saroyan is an expert in soft tissue and recently dead bodies, having been a coroner in New York before coming to DC, although almost every character on Bones is a type of medical examiner, Saroyan is the closest to the typical definition, since Bones deals only with skeletons, and is first and foremost a forensic anthropologist.

The adjustment period of getting used to Saruyan’s authority and how she runs the laboratory does not take long, and by the end of the series, it is impossible to imagine Bones Without you. She is often characterized as closer in temperament to Booth and the FBI agents than to her fellow scientists in the laboratory. However, this does not mean that her opinion is less interesting or that she is not good at her job. if anything, Saroyan is able to balance her emotions and logic better than most characters in the series.

1

Dr. Donald “Dookie” Mallard – NCIS (2003 – Present)

Played by David McCallum

NCIS has changed a lot since it began over twenty years ago, and for most of the seasons, Dr. Dookie was an instrumental character in the series. His mentorship of Jimmy Palmer in NCIS was a touching partnership, as was his friendship with Gibbs. Gibbs and the team relied on Ducky Not only to assess the violence done to the bodies brought back to the laboratory, but also to make assertions about what type of suspect would cause the wounds. Criminal profiling was a gift of Ducky’s, along with his medical skills.

The late David McCallum’s performance was what made Ducky such an enduring part of the show, and it just isn’t the same without him. The series paid tribute to McCallum after his passing in 2023 in the episode “The Stories We Leave Behind” (via Term). As the ages progress, Many characters come and go NCISBut few are remembered as fondly as Dookie. Like the premiere of NCIS: Origins Approaching, hopefully, a young duck will make an appearance.