Mortal Kombat 2star Josh Lawson opens up about the unique challenge of moving from his role as the cunning villain Kano to a cocky trauma surgeon, Bruce, in NBC’s upcoming sitcomSt. Denis Medical. The new series debuts on the network on November 12, following the doctors of the titular fictional hospital. Back from the dead, Lawson will be returning as Kano under the direction of Simon McQuoid intheMortal Kombatsequel, set to release in theaters on July 23, 2025.
In an interview withScreen Rant’s Brandon Zachary, Lawson reflected on the stark contrast between his roles inMortal Kombat 2andSt. Denis Medical. While the former continues an intense, martial arts-driven storyline,St. Denis Medicaltakes Lawson in a completely different directionalongside quirky doctors and nurses in an underfunded medical facility. Despite the projects' drastic differences, Lawson did them back-to-back. Read the full quote here:
It’s so great. I love this job for that, to be able to do. I kind of hate being myself in anything. It’s strange because I just finished shooting Mortal Kombat 2 when I went on to do this. It doesn’t just look physically very different, but it was a sort of exquisite schizophrenia to go from such wildly different characters and voices. That’s coming out next year, andI’m as excited as any Mortal Kombat fan to see how it turns out.
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WhileMortal Kombat 2continuesthe gritty, action-packed storyline that audiences loved in the first film,St. Denis Medicaltakes Lawson in a completely different direction. Set in a struggling Oregon hospital, the show follows a team of well-meaning yet oddball doctors and nurses who struggle to keep it all under control. Shot mockumentary-style, the comedy series brings humor and warmth to the fast-paced world of healthcare, with Lawson portraying Bruce, a swaggering trauma surgeon working primarily in the ER.
Lawson notes the uniquely fulfilling challenge of shifting between two polar-opposite roles. He’s flipped between a character that requires intense physicality and a darkly humorous edge to an endearing medical role embraced with lighthearted quirks and levity, and an entirely new voice. Nonetheless,Kano and Bruce highlight the range Lawson possesses and confidently executeswhether it’s in a hospital or a fantastical fighting ring.
Moving from thebrutal world ofMortal Kombatto the humor and heart ofSt. Denis Medicalis no small feat, yet Lawson’s enthusiasm for each role suggests that he’s well-suited to bringing these characters to life. His ability to balance such different characters demonstrates Lawson’s impressive versatility as an actor, and his excitement about both projectsunderlines the anticipation surrounding their respective releases.
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Lawson’s dedication to bringing authenticity to two wildly different characters is a testament to his range and commitment to his craft. Whether battling it out inMortal Kombat 2or delivering laughs inSt. Denis Medical, Lawson seems poised to make an impact in both the action and comedy worlds, showing just how dynamic he can be across genres. This also bodes well for the release ofMortal Kombat 2, as Lawson’s enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed at all, suggesting viewers are in for a great movie.
Mortal Kombat II
Cast
Mortal Kombat II: A sequel to the 2021 film Mortal Kombat, this movie continues the saga of Earth’s champions as they face new threats from the Outworld. Building on the original’s mythical universe, the film delves deeper into the lore of the Mortal Kombat tournament and its legendary fighters.
St. Denis Medical
St. Denis Medical follows a diverse team of doctors and nurses at an underfunded Oregon hospital as they manage patient care and maintain camaraderie amid challenging circumstances.
