Edie Falco faces final shift as ‘Nurse Jackie’

if you watch

What: “Nurse Jackie”

When: 9 p.m. Sunday

Where: Showtime

By Rick Bentley

The Fresno Bee

PASADENA, Calif.

When Edie Falco used to walk down the street, fans of “The Sopranos” would yell out “Carmela,” the name of the character she played on the much-touted show. But a few years ago, because of the popularity of her Showtime series “Nurse Jackie,” things changed. Now fans shout “Jackie” instead.

That’s proof of how powerful Falco’s work has been in the series about an ER nurse whose struggle with addiction has always been counterbalanced by her love of her patients and family.

Season seven of “Nurse Jackie” picks up at the exact moment that season six left off: Jackie Peyton (Falco) steps out of her mug shot and into a world of unrelenting consequences. Arrested and abandoned by those closest to her, Jackie must deal with having her nursing license revoked.

Her struggles this year will be the last. “Nurse Jackie” is ending with the seventh season. The final 12 new episodes begin Sunday.

This final shift will follow Nurse Jackie as she fights to regain her position in the hospital and reclaim her identity as nurse and mother. Her journey has been one of highs and despicable lows. Over the years, Falco watched as viewers initially rooted for Jackie but found it more difficult to support her.

Because of all the questionable things her character did along the way, Falco found “Nurse Jackie” to be an educational experience.

“I have known and loved many addicts in my life, and it is a frustrating and no-win proposition. And it has been very interesting to be on the other side of it. To kind of get a taste of what misery they must have to go through really, being at the mercy of something that’s bigger than them,” Falco says.

On a more positive note, “Nurse Jackie” ends with five Golden Globe nominations and 23 Emmy nods. Falco was named outstanding lead actress in a comedy series at the 2010 Emmy Awards. She picked up three awards for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her work on “The Sopranos.”