Mortal Kombat 2 star 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 sitcom St. 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 in the Mortal Kombat sequel, set to release in theaters on October 24, 2025.
In an interview with Screen Rant‘s Brandon Zachary, Lawson reflected on the stark contrast between his roles in Mortal Kombat 2 and St. Denis Medical. While the former continues an intense, martial arts-driven storyline, St. Denis Medical takes Lawson in a completely different direction alongside 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, and
I’m as excited as any Mortal Kombat fan to see how it turns out.
How The Actor’s Transition Between Action and Comedy Highlights His Versatility
While Mortal Kombat 2 continues the gritty, action-packed storyline that audiences loved in the first film, St. Denis Medical takes 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 executes whether it’s in a hospital or a fantastical fighting ring.
Moving from the brutal world of Mortal Kombat to the humor and heart of St. Denis Medical is 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 projects underlines the anticipation surrounding their respective releases.
Our Take On Josh Lawson’s New Characters
The Actor Comfortably Balances Grit And Humor In His New Roles
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 in Mortal Kombat 2 or delivering laughs in St. 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 of Mortal Kombat 2, as Lawson’s enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed at all, suggesting viewers are in for a great movie.
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The sequel to the Mortal Kombat 2021 film franchise reboot, Mortal Kombat 2, will follow the original cast and new faces as they prepare for the Mortal Kombat tournament. Cole Young and his allies will continue training and enlisting new warriors to prepare for the contest between Earthrealm and Outworld, which will determine the fate of humanity.
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In an underfunded and understaffed Oregon hospital, a dedicated team of doctors and nurses struggles to maintain their sanity while delivering care to their patients. Set in a mockumentary style, this workplace comedy brings humor and heart to the high-stakes environment of healthcare, with a standout cast led by Wendi McLendon-Covey and David Alan Grier​.
