Melina Kanakaredes: ‘CSI: NY’ Is ‘Beating Me Up Again!’
by Matt Webb Mitovich
Apr 6th, 2010 | 10:20 PM | Comments 0
Before the first question even comes her way, Melina Kanakaredes jumps in to describe this week’s ‘CSI: NY‘ like so: “They’re beating me up again!” Could her lament have something to do with the underwater stunt she’s seen rehearsing here? Kanakaredes took us inside CBS drama’s Stella-centric hour (airing Wednesday at 10/9c), in which Detective Bonasera refuses to believe that a woman named Marina Garito took her life.
Why is Stella so unconvinced that Marina Garito (guest star Moran Atias, ‘Crash’) committed suicide?
For various reasons, the most important being that this woman that first came to her eight years ago was so obsessed with finding out the truth about her [murdered] twin. Every Monday she has been calling Stella, saying, “Have you got anything?” It’s a very, very common practice for a police detective to have ongoing cases they keep fighting for. It’s finding a needle in a haystack, but they keep searching – and Marina Garito is that for Stella.
Does Stella have Mac’s support in her murder investigation?
Mac understands. It’s a common bond between detectives, so everybody gets on board. I have a beautiful scene with Flack, where he’s like, “Yeah, I get a call every so often, and my guy’s name is such-and-such.” Marina all of a sudden takes her life after she says she found a clue to her brother’s death? It doesn’t make sense.
The Big Tease: Scoop on ‘CSI: NY’ and More
Moran Atias told me she had a good amount to do, considering Marina is dead and all.
Yes, and she was wonderful to work with. I really enjoyed her.
She said that between you, exec producer Pam Veasey and director Allison Liddi-Brown, the episode was “an exercise in women supporting women.”
First of all, Allison is an amazing director, and Pam Veasey wrote the episode. It was great because this is a cop show, so it’s a boy’s world – but it’s not. It was a collaborative effort between all these fantastic women. And fantastic men!
What can you reveal about the photo in which you’re underwater?
I can reveal this: Somehow, somewhere, I am always being put into “interesting” situations. [Laughs] Stella at one point is fighting for her life, and that’s what that picture is. I will also tell you: I was in that pool.
But you used to be a synchronized swimmer, so…
Yeah, so I’m good with that. Underwater acting is no problem with me, and I had a fabulous actor to work with.
Looking ahead next week’s ‘CSI: NY,’ the prison riot seems like it could be a real “event” episode.
I feel like we’ve been doing some event episodes this whole season. They’ve been fun and different and more character-driven in an action sort of way. This year for us has been a turning point, which is lovely.
‘CSI: NY’ Sets the Stage for a Killer Comeback
What was your reaction when you heard that serial killer Shane Casey would be resurfacing?
I think it’s interesting, and I like the way they tie it into a story point that’s been on the show all season long. It melds in really perfectly for the diehard fans that pay attention to every detail.
Lastly, tease the season finale a bit. Two years ago Mac was kidnapped, last year was had some shootings…. How do you top that?
Oh, I’m imagining somebody will be in peril. We usually end up in peril somehow!
Watch an extended preview of “Rest In Peace, Marina Garito”: