BOISE, Idaho — Exclusive: Jesse L. Martin on his role as Dr. Alec Mercer in NBC's The Irrational
By April Neale
Idaho Today host Mellisa Paul spoke exclusively with Jesse L. Martin, the star of NBC's hit series The Irrational, who is back for season two. The series uses the analytical skills of Martin's character, academic professor Dr. Alec Mercer, who works with detectives to determine the whys and who's of a crime. Fascinating studies are worked into each script as the action is not too violent or exploitative. Suppose you are a fan of mystery and sleuthing based on behavioral science. In that case, this drama has enough humor and clues to make the viewer smarter about human psychology at the end of each episode.
How do our preconceived notions about people affect our judgment? Solving crime and reading people is down to a science with Professor Alec Mercer—actor Jesse L. Martin, best known for his roles as Det. Edward Green is now cast as Dr. Alec Mercer. Martin shined in the long-running hit series Law & Order and the CW series The Flash. His new character, Dr. Mercer, is a complex character and an academic who helps detectives with their hard-to-solve cases.
NBC's hit series The Irrational is back for season two. It follows Dr. Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin), who provides his expertise to law enforcement's most significant cases and seemingly unsolvable mysteries. Martin shines in this procedural as a psychology professor who uses his expert understanding of human behavior to help the FBI crack cases — while unlocking a mystery from his painful past.
Each episode presents something new and thought-provoking, making one realize how much certain behavioral issues can affect an individual's mental decision-making. Mercer's insight and unconventional approach to deciphering human behavior led him to work alongside clients ranging from the FBI to average folks caught in perplexing situations desperate for answers. With the help of his trusted team and social science experiments, Alec uncovers the truth and helps solve crimes while giving us answers to intriguing and irrational questions.
In the season two premiere, Collateral Damage, NBC reveals that Rose (guest star Karen David) goes missing. Dr. Mercer deduces that this is no ordinary kidnapping and takes matters into his own hands to find her.
The Irrational has perfected the offbeat yet canny detective-with-a-gift formula, fueling mysteries from Peter Falk's Columbo to the Sherlock Holmes tales of Arthur Conan Doyle and page-turning Miss Marple mysteries of Agatha Christie. Martin's Mercer is no detective but a brilliant college professor who consults for the FBI, where his ex-wife, Marisa Clark (Maahra Hill), is employed. His insight and methods are played out perfectly by Martin's superb acting skills. The cast chemistry, especially between Mercer and his sister Kylie (an excellent Travina Springer), alleviates some of the tension that builds in this addictive whodunit drama.
Additionally, Jesse L. Martin has a sterling acting resume. Martin attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating, he played a recurring role on the daytime drama Guiding Light. In the theater world, Martin shined as Tom Collins in the Broadway play Rent, for which he won a Tony. He reprised his role in the film version of Rent in 2005. Martin also had recurring roles on the critically acclaimed Smash and Ally McBeal series. Additional television credits include New York Undercover, The X-Files, and The Philanthropist.
Tune in: Season 2 of The Irrational will premiere on NBC on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Check out your local listings, or tune in to KTVB's Channel 7 to catch The Irrational season two.