Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler has revealed that she brings her personal experience with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to every role she plays, whether the script acknowledges it or not. The star, best known for playing Meadow Soprano, made the comments in an exclusive interview with The Independent ahead of a poignant guest appearance on the long-running medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy'.
A Personal Journey Mirrored On Screen
Sigler, now 44, was diagnosed with MS in 2002 at the age of 20, while still filming the iconic series 'The Sopranos'. She kept her condition private for 14 years, finally disclosing it publicly in 2016. Her upcoming role on Grey's Anatomy marks the first time she has explicitly portrayed a character with the same chronic illness she lives with.
In Thursday's episode, Sigler plays Dr. Laura Kaplan, a urologist navigating her own MS diagnosis while treating fan-favourite character Dr. Richard Webber, who is facing prostate cancer. Speaking about the significance of the role, Sigler was unequivocal about her approach to acting post-diagnosis.
"I have MS. So every character I play has MS, whether we talk about it or not," she explained. "That’s up to the creators and the creatives on whatever project I’m working on. But anytime you see me on screen, the character has MS."
From Secret Struggle to Open Advocacy
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system, breaking down the protective covering of nerves. Symptoms, which can vary widely, include numbness, fatigue, vision problems, and difficulty with coordination and walking.
Sigler described the immense pressure she felt to conceal her symptoms during the early years of her career. On her 'MeSsy' podcast with Christina Applegate in 2024, she recounted inventing a "long series of lies" to explain her condition, fearing professional repercussions. "I’ll probably get fired. Who would want me?" she recalled thinking at the time.
Now, a decade after going public, she sees her Grey's Anatomy role as a powerful opportunity to honour her journey. She expressed a deep connection to Dr. Kaplan's story of confronting a life-altering diagnosis and finding a way forward.
"I think her honouring and talking about the devastation that came with receiving such a diagnosis... and then just saying, ‘Okay, this is the body that I'm in. How do I keep moving forward?’ That’s, I think, the real message of Dr. Kaplan. And I think that's the real message of me," Sigler told The Independent.
A Meaningful Milestone After a Long Wait
Sigler admitted she had wanted to be on Grey's Anatomy since its 2005 debut, but believes the timing was perfect to play a character that so closely resonates with her life. She described the experience as a career highlight that allowed her to reflect on her resilience.
"This was just a moment for me to honour my journey and what I've been through and what I've overcome and continue to overcome on a daily basis," she said. "It gave me a lot in my career, personally, to play this role."
Her appearance underscores a continued commitment to integrating her lived experience with MS into her craft, bringing greater visibility and authenticity to the representation of chronic illness on television.
