S. Epatha Merkerson is an American actress born in 1952 in Saginaw, Michigan, best known for playing Lt. Anita Van Buren on Law & Order across 17 seasons and 395 episodes - longer than any other cast member. Her lead performance in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues (2005) earned her an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award. Since 2015 she has starred as Sharon Goodwin on NBC's Chicago Med, one of only two original series regulars still on the show.
The finale of the 11th season of Chicago Med hinted at a possible departure of Sharon Goodwin from Gaffney Hospital, but Merkerson confirmed her participation in the 12th season, which starts in fall 2026.
At the annual Black Women Film Network summit in Atlanta, Merkerson received the On Her Shoulders Preservation Award for four decades of work in television, film, and theater.
Merkerson surpassed the 625-episode mark for producer Dick Wolf, becoming the actor with the most appearances in his productions.
The eleventh season of Chicago Med premiered on October 1, 2025 on NBC; Merkerson is one of two original main cast members who have remained in the series since the beginning.
The Television Academy awarded Merkerson the honorary Emmy Governors Award for her lifetime contribution to television production.
