David Alan Grier has pitched an exaggerated office romance for Ron and Joyce, the characters he and Wendi McLendon-Covey play on NBC’s “St. Denis Medical.” The actor told Us he imagined a couple who have worked together for years suddenly getting together and making sure everyone knows about it, even though their relationship may not last.
The sitcom introduced Joyce and Ron as friends. Their dynamic appeared to shift at the end of season two, when Ron spoke affectionately about Joyce after surgery. Grier said Ron is now dealing with the possibility that he said more than he remembers while recovering: he recalls everything, but, as the actor put it, he does not actually remember everything.
The show’s November 2 premiere suggested that any change between the two would develop slowly. Grier described Joyce as a “firecracker” and wondered whether Ron could handle her intensity. He also said he enjoys working with McLendon-Covey and values the show’s mix of comedy and emotionally honest moments.
Showrunner Eric Ledgin said Ron’s recovery and his work as an emergency department doctor are central concerns at the start of the season, leaving the question of Joyce in the background for now. He said the series can revisit their connection at a pace that feels right, exploring whether Ron’s feelings are something he has not yet recognized rather than making an abrupt transition to romance.
“St. Denis Medical” airs Mondays on NBC at 8 p.m. ET and streams the following day on Peacock.
Sources: Us Weekly.