Emergency calls can be confusing 9-1-1: NashvilleBut Juani Feliz says her character grows under pressure.
Ferris will play the role of Roxy Alba, a 113th EMT and hospital doctor, in the latest installment of the hit movie. 9-1-1 franchise. The ABC series blends high-stakes rescues and personal drama against the backdrop of Nashville. For Ferris, the role is more than just a procedural character, it’s directly tied to her own past.
“What I like about it is that she has the power to make decisions when it comes to medical care,” Ferris told Gaity in an exclusive interview. “She’s like Don’s right-hand man. He has his lieutenants, and he has me. I lead the ship when it comes to medical care.”
Emergency medical technician with surgical instincts
Roxy stands out in the first responder world because she brings a rare skill set to the field. Before joining the team, the character worked as a trauma surgeon, a background that allowed him to push the boundaries of what paramedics typically do in emergencies.
“She’s a former trauma surgeon, so she has a skill set that she can use in the field that a typical EMT wouldn’t have,” Ferris said.
The role also gave the actor an opportunity to reconnect with his own educational background.
“I studied bioengineering at Harvard University and have worked in the bioengineering field for many years since then,” she explained. “It’s really cool to blend the world that I used to be a part of with the world that I’m doing now. I get to do those things and be involved in the medical field.”
Although Ferris doesn’t actually treat patients, she said understanding the science behind the procedure adds a new layer to her performance.
“In a way, when you walk in there, you feel like you know what you’re doing,” she said. “It’s empowering.”
finding calm in the midst of madness
of 9-1-1 Space is known for dramatic emergencies, explosions, disasters, and life-or-death rescues. Roxy’s role often places her in the middle of that chaos.
Ferris said the character has a rare ability to block out distractions and focus on the task at hand.
“She thrives on chaos,” the actor said. “She’s one of those people who, even when there’s a lot going on, can tune out and focus on what’s in front of her.”
Roxy’s priorities are simple. It’s about keeping people alive until they can get to the hospital.
“The most important thing is to help someone and save a life,” Ferris said. “She’s not afraid to put herself at risk. At the end of the day, what’s important is to get this person to safety.”
Her surgical background adds to that confidence.
“She’s not afraid to do things in the field that others won’t do,” Ferris said. “She has the skill set and is really betting on herself.”
Queer representation without introduction
Feliz, who is queer and Latina, said representation plays an important role in how she approaches her work. But she understands that Roxy’s identity isn’t the first thing viewers learn about her.
“One of the great things about this show is that they didn’t lead Roxy into being a lesbian,” she said. “We got to know her as a person first. We got to know how she moves on the field and what drives her.”
For Ferris, that approach reflects the real world.
“We are everywhere,” she said. “We are first responders. We exist in every space and should be able to exist in every space.”
The actor added that authenticity is important when playing a queer character.
“I’m so happy to be able to paint them because I feel like I’m bringing something authentic,” she said. “I’ve been through coming out, falling in love, and having my heart broken.”
Now married with a wife and daughter, Ferris sees his work as a way to make young viewers feel less alone.
“I want young Juani to see herself on screen and not feel alone when she’s trying to come to terms with her identity,” she said. “I wish I had grown up like that.”
A role that would have been unbelievable to me when I was younger.
When asked how she would feel about her younger self playing Roxie Alba, Ferris laughed.
“I think she’ll say, ‘Get out. What do you mean?'” she said. “Would you play this weird character who’s intelligent and badass and runs around saving lives in firefighter gear?”
The actor says the similarities between him and Roxy make the opportunity feel even more meaningful.
“There are a lot of similarities between Roxy and I,” she said. “And her story isn’t just about being gay. It’s about so many things, because we as humans are so many things.”
A controversial emergency is at hand.
of 9-1-1 The series has never shied away from wild storylines, and Ferris hinted that the next episode could spark debate among viewers.
“There is an emergency coming up that will put Roxy in a really dire straits,” she said. “When I read the script, I thought, ‘Are we really going to do this?'”
She won’t reveal the details, but the situation forces Roxy to weigh her ethics against her instincts to save someone’s life.
“She’s kind of pushed up against a wall and has to make decisions that may be immoral or ethical,” Ferris said. “It’s about asking, ‘What am I going to do in this situation?'”
Ferris thinks this storyline could generate conversation.
“It’s a strange emergency,” she said with a laugh. “But I think it’s going to generate a lot of buzz.”
For now, viewers will have to wait and see how Roxy deals with this moment and whether her fearless instincts will help her find the answer.
9-1-1: Nashville We will release a new episode on Thursday night 9/8℃ ABC
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
