The fifth season of the American fictional

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...

'' ER'' first aired on September 24, 1998, and concluded on May 20, 1999. The fifth season consists of 22 episodes.

Plot

Medical student Lucy Knight (

Kellie Martin Kellie Noelle Martin (born October 16, 1975) is an American actress. Her roles have included Rebecca "Becca" Thatcher in '' Life Goes On'' (1989–1993), Lucy Knight on '' ER'' (1998–2000), Samantha Kinsey in the '' Mystery Woman'' TV film se ...

) begins her studies in the ER. As she spends time learning the layout and staff of the ER, we learn of Dr. Anna Del Amico's departure. Carter is reminded of himself as he watches Knight learn and practice. The two have a large number of conflicts before they find a way to work together.

Elizabeth Corday Elizabeth Corday, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S. (married name Greene) is a fictional character in the medical drama series '' ER,'' portrayed by British actress Alex Kingston. She first appeared at the beginning of the fourth season and became a lead c ...

begins her surgical internship all over again in order to keep her job at the hospital, and ends her relationship with fellow surgeon Peter Benton. Benton finds out that his son is hearing impaired, and he considers a cochlear implant. Eventually, he decides against it.

Kerry Weaver Kerry Weaver is a fictional character, a physician, in the NBC television series '' ER''. Dr. Weaver first appears as a recurring character in the second-season episode "Welcome Back, Carter!", which aired on September 21, 1995. Dr. Weaver is ...

applies for a full-time chief of emergency medicine post, but the post goes to an East Coast doctor, Amanda Lee. Dr. Lee soon develops a more-than-professional interest in

Mark Greene Mark Greene, Doctor of Medicine, M.D. is a fictional character from the American medical drama series ''ER (TV series), ER''. Portrayed by actor Anthony Edwards (actor), Anthony Edwards, he first appeared in the series' 24 Hours (ER), pilot e ...

with Lee being revealed to be a fraudulent

psychopath Psychopathy, or psychopathic personality, is a personality Construct (psychology), construct characterized by impaired empathy and remorse, along with boldness, bold, disinhibited, and egocentrism, egocentric traits. These traits are often ma ...

who later leaves under cloudy circumstances. Greene does a paramedic ride-along, and Doug Ross has at last settled down with Carol Hathaway. While on probation after performing a risky procedure during the fourth season, Ross breaks protocol again by informing a mother how to alter the medication given to her disabled son. She uses this information to kill her son, leaving Ross under fire. He resigns and moves to Seattle.

Production

Original executive producers John Wells and

Michael Crichton John Michael Crichton (; October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008) was an American author, screenwriter and filmmaker. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and over a dozen have been adapted into films. His literary works heavil ...

reprised their roles. Lydia Woodward, Carol Flint, and

Christopher Chulack Christopher Chulack is an American television producer and director, best known for his work on the NBC drama series ''ER (TV series), ER'' (1995–2008), along with Michael Crichton, also ''Third Watch'' (1999–2005), which he co-produced along ...

all returned as executive producers. Flint left the crew with the close of the fifth season. Co-executive producer Walon Green returned for the fifth season but left the series mid-season. Fourth season producer

Neal Baer Neal Baer (born 1955) is an American pediatrician and television writer and producer. He is best known for his work on the television shows '' Designated Survivor'', '' ER'' and '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''. Early life and education ...

and fourth season co-producer Jack Orman were promoted to supervising producers for the fifth season. Fourth season producer Penny Adams and co-producers Wendy Spence Rosato, Richard Thorpe, and Michael Salamunovich all returned to their roles. Spence Rosato was promoted to producer mid-season. Fourth season executive story editor Samantha Howard Corbin was promoted to co-producer for the fifth season but left the crew mid-season. She was replaced as co-producer by regular director

Jonathan Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan (born November 25, 1947) is an American film producer and film director, director. His film ''The Accused (1988 film), The Accused'' (1988) earned actress Jodie Foster the Academy Awards, Oscar for Academy Award for Best Actress ...

. Producers Wells, Woodward, Flint, Baer, Orman, Corbin, and Greene continued to write episodes. Wells wrote two episodes, Woodward wrote four episodes, and Flint wrote five episodes. Baer wrote two episodes, Orman wrote three episodes, and Corbin and Greene each contributed to one episode before their departure. Regular writer and previous technical advisor Joe Sachs was promoted to story editor for the fifth season and contributed to two episodes. Former producers David Mills and Paul Manning continued to write for the series, Mills contributed to two further episodes, and Manning scripted one more episode. Fourth season writer Linda Gase returned and contributed to two more episodes. New writer Christopher Mack wrote a single episode. Producers Chulack and Kaplan served as the seasons regular directors. Chulack helmed five episodes and Kaplan directed four. Cinematographer and co-producer Thorpe directed a further episode. Regular directors

Lesli Linka Glatter Lesli Linka Glatter (born July 26, 1953) is an American film and television director. She is best known for her work on the AMC (TV channel), AMC drama series ''Mad Men'' and the Showtime (TV network), Showtime series ''Homeland (TV series), Hom ...

Félix Enríquez Alcalá Félix Enríquez Alcalá (sometimes credited as Felix Alcala) (born March 7, 1951, in Bakersfield, California) is a Mexican American film and television director. Career Alcalá's first major breakthrough came in 1991 when he was hired by Lynn ...

, and Rod Holcomb all returned to direct further episodes. Other returning directors include executive producer John Wells,

Christopher Misiano Christopher Misiano is an American television director and producer. He is best known for his work on '' ER'', ''The West Wing'', and '' Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip''. In 2017, he sold his historic home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, for US$4.3 ...

David Nutter David Nutter (born 1960) is an American television and film director and television producer. He is best known for directing pilot episodes for television. In 2015, he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Seri ...

, and T.R. Babu Subramaniam. Cast member Laura Innes made her series directing debut with a fifth-season episode. Other new directors were Steve De Jarnatt and Dave Chameides, each with a single episode.

Cast

Main cast

* Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene – Attending Emergency Physician *

George Clooney George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Known for his leading man roles on screen in both blockbuster and independent films, Clooney has received numerous accolades, including two Ac ...

as Dr. Doug Ross – Attending Pediatrician (episodes 1–15) *

Noah Wyle Noah Strausser Speer Wyle (; born June 4, 1971) is an American actor, writer, producer and director. He rose to fame as John Carter in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' (1994–2009), receiving five Emmy Award nominations, three Golden Globe Award ...

as Dr. John Carter – PGY-2 ER Junior Resident *

Julianna Margulies Julianna Margulies (; born June 8, 1966) is an American actress. After several small television roles, Margulies received wide recognition for her starring role as Carol Hathaway in the NBC medical drama series '' ER'' (1994–2000; 2009), fo ...

as Carol Hathaway – RN and Nurse Manager * Gloria Reuben as Jeanie Boulet – Physician Assistant * Laura Innes as Dr. Kerry Weaver – Attending Emergency Physician *

Alex Kingston Alexandra Elizabeth Kingston (born 11 March 1963) is an English actress. Active from the early 1980s, Kingston became noted for her television work in both Britain and the US in the 1990s, including her regular role as Elizabeth Corday, Dr. Eliz ...

as Dr. Elizabeth Corday – Surgical Intern (under ECFMG) *

as Lucy Knight – Third-year Rotating Medical Student * Eriq La Salle as Dr. Peter Benton – Trauma/SCC Fellow

Supporting cast

;Doctors and Medical students *

Mare Winningham Mary Megan Winningham, known professionally as Mare Winningham ( ; born May 16, 1959), is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She is the recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe ...

as Amanda Lee – Chief of Emergency Medicine *

Sam Anderson Sam Anderson (born c. 1946/1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his character roles such as Sam Gorpley on '' Perfect Strangers'', Principal Willis DeWitt on '' Growing Pains'', Holland Manners on ''Angel'', dentist Bernard Nadler o ...

as Dr. Jack Kayson – Chief of Cardiology * John Aylward as Dr. Donald Anspaugh – Chief of Staff *

Paul McCrane Paul McCrane (born January 19, 1961) is an American film, television and theatre actor, as well as a television director and singer. He is known for his portrayal of Montgomery MacNeil in the 1980 film '' Fame'', Frank Berry in the 1984 film '' T ...

as Dr. Robert Romano – Chief of Surgery *

Jorja Fox Jorja Fox (born July 7, 1968) is an American actress. She first came to prominence with a recurring role in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' as Dr. Maggie Doyle from 1996 to 1999. This was followed by another critical success in the recurring rol ...

as Dr. Maggie Doyle – Resident * John Doman as Dr. Carl DeRaad – Chief of Psychiatry * Scott Jaeck as Dr. Steven Flint – Chief of Radiology * David Brisbin as Dr. Alexander Babcock – Anesthesiologist * Michael Buchman Silver as Dr. Paul Meyers – Psychiatrist *

Matthew Glave Matthew Glave is an American actor best known for his recurring roles in the television shows ''Picket Fences'', ''ER (TV series), ER'', ''Charmed'', ''Stargate SG-1'', ''Army Wives'', ''Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'', ''Better Things (TV s ...

as Dr. Dale Edson – Resident *

Tom Gallop Tom Gallop is an American actor. He is best known for his performance as Tom Cronin in the '' Bourne'' film franchise and for playing recurring character Rob in ''Will & Grace ''Will & Grace'' is an American television sitcom created by Max Mu ...

as Dr. Roger Julian – Chief of Genetics *

Ted Rooney Ted Rooney is an American actor and educator, known for his role as Morey Dell on ''Gilmore Girls'', neonatologist Dr. Tabash on '' ER'', and John McGarrigle on the HBO series ''Boardwalk Empire''. Early life and education Rooney was born and ...

as Dr. Tabash – Neonatologist * Perry Anzilotti as Dr. Ed – Anesthesiologist * Kenneth Alan Williams as Dr. Thomas Gabriel * Carl Lumbly as Dr. Graham Baker * Stephanie Dunnam as Dr. McLucas * Phyllis Frelich as Dr. Lisa Parks * Dennis Boutsikaris as Dr. David Kotlowitz ;Nurses * Ellen Crawford as Nurse Lydia Wright * Conni Marie Brazelton as Nurse Conni Oligario * Deezer D as Nurse Malik McGrath * Laura Cerón as Nurse Chuny Marquez * Yvette Freeman as Nurse Haleh Adams *

Lily Mariye Lily Mariye (born September 25, 1964) is an American television director, filmmaker and actress. Early life Mariye was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated from UCLA with a BA in theater arts. Career From 1994 to 2009 she had a regular rol ...

as Nurse Lily Jarvik * Gedde Watanabe as Nurse Yosh Takata * Penny Johnson as Nurse Practitioner Lynette Evans *

Dinah Lenney Dinah Lenney (née Gross; born November 18, 1956) is an American actress and writer. She is the author of ''Bigger than Life: A Murder, a Memoir'', a 2007 book about the murder of her father, Republican Party politician and businessman Nelson G. ...

as Nurse Shirley * Bellina Logan as Nurse Kit * Suzanne Carney as OR Nurse Janet * Janni Brenn as Nurse Kass ;Staff, Paramedics and Officers *

Abraham Benrubi Abraham Rubin Hercules Benrubi (born October 4, 1969) is an American actor. He is known for his appearances as Jerry Markovic on the long-running medical television drama '' ER'', for his first role as Larry Kubiac on the series '' Parker Lewis ...

as Desk Clerk Jerry Markovic *

Kristin Minter Kristin Minter is an American actress. She is best known as Heather McCallister in ''Home Alone'' (1990), Miranda "Randi" Fronczak in '' ER'' (1995–2003) and Kathy Winslow in ''Cool As Ice'' (1991). Career In 1990, Kristin Minter played Hea ...

as Desk Clerk Miranda "Randi" Fronczak * Christine Healy as Hospital Administrator Harriet Spooner * Jeff Cahill as Transport Dispatcher Tony Fig * Emily Wagner as Paramedic Doris Pickman * Montae Russell as Paramedic Dwight Zadro * Lyn Alicia Henderson as Paramedic Pamela Olbes * Brian Lester as Paramedic Brian Dumar * Michelle Bonilla as Paramedic Christine Harms * Demetrius Navarro as Paramedic Morales * J. P. Hubbell as Paramedic Lars Audia * Meg Thalken as Chopper EMT Dee McManus * Ed Lauter as Fire Captain Dannaker *

Cress Williams Cress Williams (born July 26, 1970) is an American actor, known for his roles in ''Prison Break'' and ''Close to Home (2005 TV series), Close to Home''. His most recent roles include Mayor Lavon Hayes on The CW Television Network, The CW series ' ...

as Officer Reggie Moore * Mike Genovese as Officer Al Grabarsky * Chad McKnight as Officer Wilson ;Family * Christine Harnos as Jennifer "Jenn" Greene *

Yvonne Zima Yvonne Zima (born January 16, 1989) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Daisy Carter on ''The Young and the Restless''. Early life Zima was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the daughter of Dennis and Marie. Her surname means ...

as Rachel Greene * Khandi Alexander as Jackie Robbins * Lisa Nicole Carson as Carla Reece * Matthew Watkins as Reese Benton * Victor Williams as Roger McGrath * Paul Freeman as Dr. Charles Corday *

Rose Gregorio Rose Gregorio (October 17, 1925 – August 17, 2023) was an American actress. She began her career appearing mostly in theatre in Chicago and New York City during the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1970s she became more active in television and film ...

as Helen Hathaway

Notable guest stars

Keiko Agena Christine Keiko Agena (born October 3, 1973) is an American actress. She is mostly known for playing Lane Kim in ''Gilmore Girls'' and NYPD medical examiner Dr. Edrisa Tanaka on FOX's crime drama '' Prodigal Son'' (2019–2021). Personal life ...

as Mrs. Shimahara *

Xander Berkeley Alexander Harper Berkeley (born December 16, 1955) is an American actor. Since beginning his career in the early 1980s, he has appeared in over 200 film and television projects. His films include ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' (1991), ''Candyman ...

as Detective Wilson *

Julie Bowen Julie Bowen (born Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer; March 3, 1970) is an American actress. She starred as Claire Dunphy in the ABC sitcom '' Modern Family'' (2009–2020), for which she received widespread critical acclaim. She won the Primetime Emmy A ...

as Roxanne Please * Akosua Busia as Kobe Ikabo * Jessica Capshaw as Sally McKenna * Mike Doyle as Michael McKenna *

Teri Garr Terry Ann Garr (December 11, 1944 – October 29, 2024), known as Teri Garr, was an American actress. Known for her comedic roles in film and television in the 1970s and 1980s, she often played women struggling to cope with the life-changing ex ...

as Celinda Randlett *

Jenette Goldstein Jenette Elise Goldstein (born February 4, 1960) is an American actress. Known for her collaborations with director James Cameron, she won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress, Saturn Award for her portrayal of List of Alien (franchise) char ...

as Judy Stiles * Dean Norris as Officer Clark * Silas Weir Mitchell as Marcus Hainey *

Anna Gunn Anna Kathryn Gunn (born August 11, 1968) See also: * is an American actress. She is known for playing Martha Bullock on the HBO Western series '' Deadwood'' (2004–2006) and Skyler White on the AMC crime drama series ''Breaking Bad'' (2008� ...

as Ikabo’s Lawyer *

Taraji P. Henson Taraji Penda Henson ( ; born September 11, 1970) is an American actress. Her accolades include a Golden Globe Award, alongside nominations for an Academy Award, six Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2016 and 2024, ''Time'' named Henson one of ...

as Elan *

Djimon Hounsou Djimon Gaston Hounsou ( ; ; born April 24, 1964) is a Beninese-American actor. He began his career appearing in music videos and made his film debut in '' Without You I'm Nothing'' (1990). He then earned widespread recognition for his role as C ...

as Mobalage Ikabo *

Harvey Korman Harvey Herschel Korman (February 15, 1927May 29, 2008) was an American actor and comedian who performed in television and film productions. He is best remembered as a main cast member alongside Carol Burnett, Tim Conway and Vicki Lawrence on the ...

as Stan Levy * Maggie Lawson as Shannon Mitchell *

Valerie Mahaffey Valerie Mahaffey (June 16, 1953 – May 30, 2025) was an American actress. She began her career starring in the NBC daytime soap opera '' The Doctors'' (1979–81), for which in 1980 she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding ...

as Joi Abbott *

Marlee Matlin Marlee Matlin (born August 24, 1965) is an American actress, activist, and author. Deafness, Deaf since she was 18 months old, Matlin is known for her portrayals of deaf women, and for her activism on behalf of deaf individuals in Cinema of the ...

as Sign Language Instructor * Eric Christian Olsen as Travis Mitchell *

Octavia Spencer Octavia Lenora Spencer (born May 25, 1970) is an American actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for two Primetime Emmy ...

as Maria Jones *

Holland Taylor Holland Taylor (born January 14, 1943) is an American actress. She won the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Judge Roberta Kittleson on ABC's ''The Practice'' (1998–2003) and she ...

as Phyllis Farr *

Terri J. Vaughn Terri Juanita Vaughn-Riley (née Vaughn; born October 16, 1969) is an American actress, director and producer. She is best known for her role as high school secretary Lovita Alizay Jenkins-Robinson in The WB sitcom ''The Steve Harvey Show'' (1997 ...

as Mrs. Gleason * Sheila Kelley as Coco Robbins * Billy Blanks as Kickboxing Instructor *

Ashley Johnson Ashley Suzanne Johnson (born 1983) is an American actress. She became known as a child actor for her role as Chrissy Seaver on the sitcom ''Growing Pains'' (1990–1992). As an adult, her television roles include Amber Ahmed on '' The Killing' ...

as Dana Ellis

Episodes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Er Season 05 1998 American television seasons 1999 American television seasons ER (TV series) seasons