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Shocking episodes and a major story arc for the current season of Private Practice. This is a big big spoiler of Private Practice:
As Michael Ausiello, mr spoiler himself announced, in the October 28th episode of Private Practice, Charlotte King gets raped by a patient.
At the end of the ABC drama’s Oct. 28 episode of Private Practice, Charlotte King will be attacked and raped by a deranged patient (Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Nicholas Brendon). The incident kicks off a major season-long story line that will touch every character on the show. “A lot of violence against women on television is from the point of view of law enforcement,” points out executive producer Shonda Rhimes, “as opposed to standing in the shoes of the actual victim and seeing how it is for them and the people around them.” To that end, the Nov. 4 episode will be unlike any previous hour of Private in that it will revolve solely around the immediate aftermath of the attack. “It takes place all in one night, and it’s [set] almost entirely in the hospital,” reveals Rhimes, who penned the episode. “And there’s almost no music. It’s a fairly silent episode. It’s a compelling, painful episode. The work KaDee did in it was amazing.” Speaking of Strickland, what does she think about all of this? In the following interview, the actress reveals her surprising reaction upon first learning of the story line, explains why she didn’t use a stunt double while shooting the assault, and assesses the long-term fallout for Charlotte and Cooper.
What went through your mind when Shonda presented the story to you?
KADEE STRICKLAND: I was thrilled. I was so on board. It’s funny, we were at a table read and I gave Shonda my usual hug and “What’s up?” and she said, “I’m going to do something with your character this season, and it’s huge and you’ll know soon.” And I’m like, “Are you kidding me?” Once she saw the look on my face, she said, “We are going to have Charlotte be raped this season. Are you okay with that?” And my response was “Hell, yes. Let’s do it. Let’s go. I’m in.”
Why were you so enthusiastic about it?
STRICKLAND: There’s something wonderful about playing a character for four years and then having her completely turned on her head. Creatively, it’s a real gift for an actor. I also knew that this would reach so many people who have either experienced it or have been close to people who have experienced it. The only thing I said was that we have to get it right. And Shonda was totally on board with that.
Talk to me about the Nov. 4 episode.
STRICKLAND: It was amazing. It’s a page-turner. It doesn’t feel like our show—and I don’t say that with any negativity toward our show. It almost feels like a movie in some ways, because it takes place in one night.
Rape stories are a dime a dozen on TV these days. How will this one be different?
STRICKLAND: I think what you’ll find different about this is that Shonda poured her heart and soul into getting it as accurate as possible. And it is. I mean, it’s legitimately very accurate. We worked very closely with RAINN [Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network] on this. Also, we in no way are going to let this thing go away in four episodes. Charlotte will live with this for as long as she’s a character on Private Practice.
Over the past three seasons, Charlotte has been slowly tearing down the walls she built up around her. She’s less closed off than she was in the beginning. Is she going to revert to old Charlotte now?
STRICKLAND: It’s a shifting thing. And that’s the other thing that’s so great about this; no one responds to rape in the typical fashion. And that’s the one thing that I learned in doing my homework. I spoke to survivors on [nearly] a daily basis. Also, this is a very violent rape. It’s a very brutal attack. So yes, you will see those walls go up. She’s in denial at first. She is not accepting of what has happened, and she is trying very hard to act as if it didn’t.
Did you use a stunt double while shooting the assault?
STRICKLAND: No way. I wasn’t letting anybody else step into those shoes. I would’ve been heartbroken if anyone suggested it. We had a great stunt coordinator, and we gave [Nicholas Brendon] full permission to go for it. I didn’t want to act around it and play around with it. I wanted to make it as realistic as possible.
Did you get injured?
STRICKLAND: Yeah, a little bit. It was really safe, but I definitely wasn’t unscathed. And I don’t think [Nicholas] was either. Let’s just say that the day after, the makeup artists had a few legitimate bruises to cover up.
I’m assuming this will derail Charlotte and Cooper’s wedding plans.
STRICKLAND: Well, it is Shonda-land. But I think derailing things with something like this is a lot more interesting than [one of us having] an affair or [getting] cold feet. This is very real. Do I think the wedding is off? I don’t. I think that you’re going to see Charlotte and Cooper as you’ve never seen them before. And you will see sides of Cooper you’ve never seen before. I love working with Paul [Adelstein]. Charlotte leans into Cooper in a way that I don’t think she ever has in the history of the show.
I understand Addison is the only person Charlotte confides in about the actual rape. I’m guessing that will bring those two characters closer together.
STRICKLAND: I love what it does to my dynamic with Addison. She is our hero, and it’s really fascinating what they’ve given us here. It’s a different dynamic than we have gotten to play together.
Source: The Ausiello Files.
What do you think about Charlotte getting raped on Private Practice? Is it a good storyline? Will this get Kadee Strickland nominated for an Emmy?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Private Practice scoop, like this one on Charlotte getting raped by a patient.
[…] episodes. Charlotte will live with this for as long as she’s a character on Private Practice.” (Source) I cannot tell you how much KaDee’s response means to me as someone who has lived through this. I […]
Private Practice Spoiler: Charlotte King raped?…
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
wow! what a mind blowing episode
cant wait for next weeks!
YAYAYAY
I’m sorry. I am pretty much done w/ Private Practice I think, and Shonda’s proclivity towards violence, as if it’s necessary to keep the audience entertained. Shonda seems particularly keen on violence against women; although Violet’s attack was of an entirely different nature, when I saw the end of the 10/28 episode and Charlotte being attacked, I decided I’d had enough. It’s just about the last thing I need to see right before going to bed. It may be great for ratings, but frankly that’s a reflection of our societal addiction for such “action.” I don’t need lollipos and roses, but I’m quite tired of all the death and mayhem continually represented on Grey’s and Private Practice. I think I’ll be better served picking up a good book instead.
@Anne.. Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy are MEDICAL DRAMA’S.. Of course there is always going to be death and mayhem. What else would you expect??? That’s like saying “I’m tired of watching patient’s get sick on House.” Really?! …Anyways… I am really looking forward to the next episode and I think it’s great that we are going to be shown rape from a victim’s standpoint. I am eager to watch Charlotte’s character go through changes and have her get closer to other characters, such as Addison. Charlotte really doesn’t have a close bond to anyone besides Cooper, so I am eager to see what is to come of the all of the characters after this incident!
@Anne, gosh it is wierd to not know a person and they express your sentiments exactly but I agree with you 100%, I knew when she picked up that box and walked out the door, she was going to be attacked; I felt my heart drop; while I know violence against women is a reality, I was really bothered by that. I don’t think i’ll be able to watch it, I love Grays Anatomy and Privat Practice but just that short clip made me sad beyond belief.
working in health care you see this happen so often. on tv you never get to see the aftermath the victim experiences and eventually the strength it takes for a woman to pick up the pieces and move forward. I commend Private Practice and Shonda Rhimes for taking this storyline and making it different. KaDee was phenomenal in this episode and it was completely realistic. I look forward to the new dynamics and relationships that will unfold in the aftermath of this tragedy. Kudos so far on a job well done!
Thank you Anne and Celeste for articulating my feelings exactly! Something about this episode, and the previous one, also made me turn away from the show. I’m not tired of people talking about the reality of violence against women, but I am SERIOUSLY tired of seeing it depicted so graphically. Something about it seems very voyeuristic and pornographic, and I don’t understand why there are now 2 story lines in the show that revolve around women being violently attacked. It’s taken me over a week to watch this episode, and I thought I was being silly. I just watched it online, at night, and the last few minutes of this episode make me regret that decision. Her face was enough, why did the writers feel like they had to graphically depict what happened? I really liked this series, but unfortunately, Shonda Rhimes ended my continued viewership of the show.