MERCY -- Pictured: Jaime Lee Kirchner as Sonia Jimenez -- NBC Photo: Andrew Eccles

Jaime Lee Kirchner plays no-nonsense, Nurse Sonia Jimenez on the medical drama Mercy who,  together with co-stars Taylor Schilling (Nurse Veronica Callahan) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Nurse Chloe Payne) prove more than the doctors kick serious butt in the ER.

Many believed the series would fold quickly, but Mercy has found its audience, due in large part to the three women fronting the program. And according to Kirchner, that’s no easy task.

The hours are long - often double shifts - the scripts demanding, but Kirchner believes those sacrifices are necessary for an ensemble drama like Mercy to thrive. And tonight’s episode is an example of what can be accomplished when the actors push for more. It’s downright creepy and guest stars Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos/The Lovely Bones) as a hand transplant patient who is struggling with his new limb…but not for the reason’s you might think.

New episodes will run until late April - the actress tells us - and there are some dynamic developments for her character.  For one…a love interest, but like everything else on the show, the couple will have hurdles to overcome.

And rest assured, the nurses will only get stronger as Mercy continues.  Kirchner points out that it was always the plan that these women take no prisoners and that’s a quality the actress embraces.

Click onto media bars for:

Kirchner’s thoughts on Mercy’s success despite NBC’s prime-time woes.

Kirchner’s description of Michael Imperioli’s guest shot on tonight’s episode.

The upcoming changes for Kirchner’s character along with the reason why the women are so strong.

The original plot from the start to make the women of Mercy tough chicks.

How Kirchner keeps her performance fresh while working insane hours.

Mercy airs Wednesdays, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.