Laura Innes: From ER Star to Acclaimed Director—Where Is She Now?
Laura Innes established herself as one of television’s most enduring and complex performers through her Emmy-nominated role as Dr. Kerry Weaver on the groundbreaking medical drama ER. 
The Foundational Years and Chicago Stage Roots
Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Laura Innes developed her passion for performance in the robust environment of regional theater. She earned her bachelor's degree in theater from Northwestern University, a foundational experience that instilled in her a deep understanding of dramatic structure and character development—skills that would later prove invaluable both in front of and behind the camera. Following her graduation, Innes became deeply involved in the vibrant Chicago theater scene, performing frequently at institutions like the renowned Goodman Theatre.
It was in Chicago where she honed the sharp, nuanced acting style that would define her career. Her early professional life included significant stage work, notably an acclaimed performance in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Two Rooms. While she secured minor film and television roles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including a recurring part on the sitcom Wings, it was her eventual casting in 1995 on the burgeoning NBC medical drama ER that catapulted her into the national spotlight.
Dr. Kerry Weaver: A Study in Complexity and Endurance
When Laura Innes joined the cast of ER during its second season, the show was already a cultural phenomenon. However, her character, Dr. Kerry Weaver, quickly became one of the series' most indelible figures. Initially introduced as a chief resident known for her uncompromising efficiency and abrasive management style, Weaver served as a crucial counterpoint to the emotional, often chaotic lives of the show’s original ensemble cast.
Dr. Weaver was a character marked by professional ambition and personal guardedness. A defining characteristic of the role was Weaver’s use of a crutch, initially suggesting a congenital hip condition. This physical detail, which required Innes to undergo specialized training to maintain the authenticity of Weaver’s gait, added a layer of complexity rarely seen in leading roles on network television at the time. Industry analysts frequently praised Innes for her commitment to the physicality of the role, noting how it informed Weaver’s often defensive posture.
Over her twelve-season run, Weaver underwent one of the most significant character evolutions in the show’s history. Key milestones included:
- Navigating Bureaucracy: Weaver’s relentless pursuit of administrative power, eventually rising to Chief of Staff, highlighted the constant tension between patient care and hospital economics.
- The Revelation of Disability: The eventual storyline revealing the cause of her limp—a degenerative hip condition—was handled with sensitivity, moving beyond a simple visual cue to explore the challenges faced by medical professionals with physical disabilities.
- Sexual Identity: Perhaps the most impactful development was Weaver’s coming out as a lesbian. This storyline, which began in 2000, was particularly significant for primetime network television, depicting a character wrestling with professional repercussions and personal acceptance in a realistic, non-sensationalized manner.
Innes’s portrayal of Weaver earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, alongside three Screen Actors Guild Awards for her work as part of the ensemble cast. Her tenure on ER lasted until 2007, making her one of the longest-serving actors in the show’s history.
The Seamless Transition to the Director’s Chair
While her acting career was reaching its peak on ER, Innes began the crucial pivot that would redefine her professional trajectory: directing. Unlike many actors who transition to directing late in their careers, Innes began directing while still heavily involved in the day-to-day production of the medical drama.
Innes directed her first episode of ER in 1999, titled "Middle of Nowhere." This debut was not an isolated incident; she went on to direct multiple episodes across the series, gaining practical, high-stakes experience managing a massive production under the pressure of network deadlines. This internal training proved invaluable. Directing the show she knew intimately allowed her to develop a distinct directorial voice characterized by efficiency, strong visual storytelling, and a deep focus on actor performance.
Following her departure from the main cast of ER, Innes fully committed to directing, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after episodic directors in Hollywood. Her reputation for sharp execution and deep understanding of character arcs made her a favorite among showrunners for complex, serialized dramas.
A Prolific Directorial Portfolio Across Network Television
Laura Innes’s directorial resume showcases remarkable versatility, spanning crime procedurals, sci-fi dramas, and gritty character studies. Her ability to adapt her style to fit the specific needs of vastly different shows is a testament to her technical mastery.
Her key directorial credits post-ER include:
- The West Wing: Directing episodes of Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed political drama, demonstrating her ability to handle rapid-fire dialogue and intricate blocking.
- House (2007–2012): A return to the medical genre, where she directed several episodes, applying her expertise in hospital settings to the cynical, character-driven procedural.
- Grey’s Anatomy: Further solidifying her place in the medical drama landscape with a directorial stint on Shonda Rhimes’s long-running series.
- Sneaky Pete (2017): Directing episodes of the Amazon crime series, showcasing her proficiency in streaming and premium cable formats.
- The Affair (2014–2019): Innes directed multiple episodes of the critically lauded Showtime series, known for its complex narrative structure and use of unreliable narrators, proving her skill in managing high-concept drama.
- How to Get Away with Murder (2015–2020): She served as a frequent director for Rhimes’s intense legal thriller, often tasked with guiding pivotal, high-tension reveals that required precise pacing and performance management.
Her consistent work across different networks and platforms—from NBC and ABC to Showtime and Amazon—demonstrates a high level of trust placed in her by some of the industry’s most powerful creative teams. Critics often point to her directorial work as possessing a clean, dynamic energy that serves the narrative without overshadowing the performance.
Where Is She Now? Balancing Both Sides of the Camera
In recent years, Laura Innes has maintained a rigorous schedule, dividing her time between her primary role as a director and selective, compelling acting roles that draw upon her deep experience.
On the directing front, Innes remains active in high-profile episodic television. She has recently directed episodes for major network dramas and streaming hits, including:
- The Baker and the Beauty
- Mr. Mercedes (Based on the Stephen King novels)
- The Catch
- For the People
These roles confirm her status not merely as a former actor who directs, but as a seasoned professional director sought after for complex, season-defining episodes. Her directorial focus tends to be on shows that prioritize character psychology and moral ambiguity.
Regarding her acting career, Innes has chosen roles that offer significant depth. She notably reunited with Shonda Rhimes on How to Get Away with Murder, not only directing but also appearing in a recurring guest role as Governor Lynne Birkhead. Furthermore, she starred in the USA Network sci-fi series Colony (2016–2018) as the character Karen, and had a key role in the crime drama The Event. These roles showcase her ability to inhabit powerful, often morally gray authority figures—a thematic continuation of her work as Dr. Weaver.
Laura Innes is currently focused on continuing her substantial directing work, mentoring emerging talent, and occasionally returning to the stage, which remains her first professional love. Her career trajectory stands as an exemplar of longevity and successful reinvention in Hollywood, proving that a deep understanding of the craft, honed over decades, is the true key to sustained influence in the industry. Her legacy is defined equally by the iconic character she inhabited and the hundreds of hours of high-quality television she has skillfully guided from behind the lens. 
