Metropol

Here are the early odds of who will take the role of Principal Character after Noah Wyle.

Second "odds" issued on 3-11-04
Dr Kerry Weaver MD Laura Innes (3/1)-(2-1)

The longest serving member of the ER cast (9 years) and a very strong character. She would be the obvious choice for Principal character, if only her main job was in the ER. She now only puts in the odd apperance as Chief of Staff. However, she has been filling in as Chief of Emergency Medicine since the death of Dr Romano.
3-11 It has been revealed that Weaver is to get a BIG storyline soon, thus improving the odds.

Dr Abby Lockheart MD Maura Tierney (6/1)-(5/1)

A very strong character, but when Carter leaves, she will only be a second year resident. It would be a surprise if a low position would lead to the role of principal character.
3-11 Has already made a big impact in her internship at the start of series 11. Looking more likely.

Dr Peter Benton MD Eriq La Salle (20/1)-(50-1)

His return from two years of leave is yet to be confirmed, but would almost certainly would get the role if he does return.
3-11 His return now looks as if it will not happen, but it will be late in series 12 if it does.

Dr Luka Kovac MD Goran Visnjic (15/1)-(15-1)

A strong character, but unlikely to remain past the end of his contract, in series 12.
3-11 Not much has happened to him in series 11 so far.

Dr Jing-Mei Chen MD Ming-Na Wen (30/1)-(25-1)

Not a strong character and rumoured to exit the progoramme within the next few episodes.
3-11 Now apparently not exiting the show untill at least the end of the series.

Dr Neela Rastorga MD Parminder Nagra (30/1)-(40-1)

A very strong character, but has probably not been in the show long enough for the role.
3-11 Would they really offer the role to a non-qualified PA-C?

As well as Dr Carter, there are other exits forecast from the progoramme.

Dr Elizabeth Corday - Alex Kingston (3-4 episodes remaining)
Dr Jing Mei-Chen - Ming-Na (possible exit in series 12)

However, new characters are joining the list.

Dr Peter Benton - (Rumoured return in series 12)
Shane West - ( New series 11 intern)

So, what are your opinions for the new principal character?

mikeroberts wrote:He is the only character, bar Susan Lewis (Sherry Stringfeld) who featured in the Pilot of the progoramme, who remains, although the return of Eriq La-Salle is rumoured for episode 4 or 5 in series 11.

One thing I've never been sure of is whether the character played by Troy Evans in the pilot is the same character he plays now, or not.

There isn't really a principal character anymore anyway. Parminder Nagra could be primed to take over as a focal point - remember Carter was only a med student at the start, and they tried to start that story arc again once before with Kellie Martin as Lucy Knight.

There isn't really a principal character anymore anyway. Parminder Nagra could be primed to take over as a focal point - remember Carter was only a med student at the start, and they tried to start that story arc again once before with Kellie Martin as Lucy Knight.

Was there ever a principal character? Admittedly I haven't watched the last 3 series but for all the time that I did watch it, it pretty much had an ensemble cast with several characters sharing equal importance in several storylines; I don't remember a time when it revolved around one character.

cwathen wrote:Was there ever a principal character? Admittedly I haven't watched the last 3 series but for all the time that I did watch it, it pretty much had an ensemble cast with several characters sharing equal importance in several storylines; I don't remember a time when it revolved around one character.

No, it was always pretty much an ensemble piece, but Carter had a particularly strong character development arc, which I think they tried to replicate with Lucy Knight, and failed, which resulted in Kellie Martin asking to be written out. If they wanted to do that now, Neela or Abby would be obvious choices.

BTW, I finally got around to checking out whether Troy Evans' character in the pilot is the same one he plays now. In the pilot he played "Officer Martin" and he now plays Frank Martin, who is a former cop. So it looks like it is the same character. That's another one to add to the list with Wyle and Stringfield.

The term "Principal Character" is the name given to the person at the beginning of the titles. Untill the death of his character, this was Anthony Edwards, then Noah Wyle took over. It is generally the character who has the most "sentimental" value to the show, Mark Greene was the natural choice from Series 1 as he was Chief Resident, and then Carter had been there since series 1 and was also Mark's prodigee. It is rumoured, by the way, that Carter's exit will have something to do with the birth of his first son, Mark.

Oh well, in that case the new one will probably be whichever actor has the best agent.

Probably, lol