Patricia Heaton has nothing to prove. She starred on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (1996-2005) and “The Middle” (2009-18). Rather than enjoy a residual-rich early retirement, Heaton, 61, has gone back to work, playing Carol Kenney, who decides, midlife, to become a doctor after a divorce. What makes “Carol’s Second Act” different is that Heaton is a producer who has a say-so in casting and writing. For example, although Carol is older than her fellow interns, her experience as a parent comes in handy when breaking bad news to a patient, and there is at least one person who has noticed her charms — Dr. Stephen Frost, played by Kyle MacLachlan.

Heaton spoke to The Post about her new show and why she is still waiting for that congratulatory phone call from her former “Raymond” co-star Ray Romano.

How did this show come about?

It was interesting to have done “Everybody Loves Raymond” first. It corresponded with where I was in my life. “The Middle” corresponded with my background growing up, and to my teenage kids at home. That finished and I thought, “What can I do that’s different but still in my wheelhouse?” And then this idea came along from [co-creators] Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins. It was a great idea for a show regardless of whether I was involved with it.

You don’t have to work. Why do another series?

I would be fine dying onstage somewhere. [Laughs.] Hopefully I have a few good years left in me. This is the first time I’m producing. And being on the ground floor of helping to create the character and create the show. It’s also scary to see how the sausage is made. You see that the process is very much a team effort.

What things did you want to do differently?

We did talk about what Carol’s love life would be like. She’s a woman in her 50s who’s an intern, so you don’t really have much time. I think we’re going to take it really slowly.

How do you tell if someone is funny?

There are people who are funny and they know how to deliver a punch line. And then, there’s this very thin layer at the top of people who are funny, who know how to deliver a punch line and they also have one other, undefinable thing. And it’s something about their personality that just brings an effervescent quality to it.

Sharon Gless once told The Post that “motion-picture actresses” were taking roles away from TV actresses. Do you agree?

I have a little bit of resentment. “Oh, you were too good for TV 10 years ago and now all you movie stars are taking over!” When you look at TV in the ’60s and ’70s, especially comedies, they were pretty bad. So I can see why people had a disdain for television. But TV has just become this wonderful place to be. I loved watching Meryl Streep on “Big Little Lies.” Movies are tough. It’s tough to get them done. They go in the theaters, then they’re gone two weeks later. That’s a hard business.

Did Ray Romano say anything when you got your own show?

Well, I couldn’t get him off the phone with Martin Scorsese [Romano has a role in “The Irishman”], so we haven’t been able to talk.

And here’s what else to watch this week:

The Politician | Friday, Netflix

Series premiere. Rich boy Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) has known since childhood that he’s going to be president. The series follows him as he campaigns in five elections over his life, starting with high school class president. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange.

Evil | Thursday, 10 p.m., CBS

Series premiere. Forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) is hired by the Catholic Church to work with David Acosta (Mike Colter), a seminarian, to determine whether a serial killer is possessed by a demon or is merely a psychopath. From the creators of “The Good Wife.”

9-1-1 | Monday, 8 p.m., Fox

Season premiere. Athena (Angela Bassett) enlists the precinct’s help when a teenager speeds out of control on the freeway. Out at the beach, a tidal wave is poised to strike the Santa Monica Pier.

Bob Hearts Abishola | Monday, 8:30 p.m., CBS

Series premiere. Bob (Billy Gardell) is a compression sock salesman from Detroit who has a heart attack. Nigerian immigrant Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku) is his nurse in the hospital’s cardiac unit. She is a single mother and not looking for a boyfriend. This doesn’t deter Bob, once he’s feeling better, from trying to romance her.

The Unicorn | Thursday, 8:30 p.m., CBS

Series premiere. A widower (Walton Goggins) discovers he is a babe magnet because he knows how to be in a relationship, has a job and has a full head of hair.

Sunnyside | Thursday, 9:30 p.m., NBC

Series premiere. Kal Penn plays Garrett Modi, a New York City councilman whose career dies when he’s busted for public intoxication. As part of his redemption, he is hired by a group of immigrants who want to become citizens and believe he can help them. With Diana Maria Riva.

Stumptown | Wednesday, 10 p.m., ABC

Series premiere. Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders), a war veteran who suffers from PTSD, comes back to Portland, Oregon, sleeps around and finds work as a private investigator. Cops hate her, criminals fear her, men try to woo her. With Jake Johnson, Michael Ealy and Tantoo Cardinal.