Even though the Chicago Med cast was finally beginning to stabilize without any major cast shakeups, there's some change in story when the NBC medical drama returns for season 11.
While season 10 seemed to find the series hitting a sweet spot with its cast, featuring the fewest exits compared to recent years, and welcoming two exciting new series regulars, Chicago Med season 11 will unfortunately force longtime fans to bid farewell to one of the last remaining original cast members. But there's also some exciting returns in store for fans to look forward to!
Chicago Med season 11 premieres in October with new episodes on NBC, and fans can expect at least one huge change happening at Gaffney. Let's take a closer look at the latest cast updates and find out who's in and who's out in the highly anticipated new season.
Chicago Med cast exits
Beginning with the bad news, let's answer the biggest question: Who’s leaving Chicago Med? As we headed into season 11, an unfortunate departure was announced, and we weren't expecting it at all. Marlyne Barrett was confirmed to be leaving the show for season 11 for personal reasons. She's the only cast member announced to be leaving the show this season.
Barrett has been part of the Chicago Med main cast since the first season, and along with S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt, she was one of the three last remaining original cast members left on the show. However, when her exit was announced, reports suggested that her departure wasn't expected to be permanent and the door would left open for her to come back in the future.
Compared to the cast exits leading into Chicago Fire season 14, which will see three series regulars departing the show, Med will only have to lose one cast member. Season 11 will be the first not to feature Barrett's character Maggie Lockwood since she became a main character halfway into the show's first season.
The worst part of Barrett's exit will be that we likely won't get to see Maggie written off. It hasn't been confirmed if Barrett was able to film any episodes for season 11 to wrap up Maggie's storyline and send her off, which means we should probably expected Maggie's absence to be explained in a line of dialogue in the first episode if Barrett doesn't appear at all.
Chicago Med season 11 cast
Although we're sad that Marlyne Barrett won't be part of Chicago Med season 11, fans can rest assured that the rest of the main cast has already been confirmed to reprise their roles. You don't have to worry that the new main characters introduced last season are going anywhere.
The last two remaining original cast members, S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt, will be back to continue holding down the fort for Barrett until she returns (manifesting her comeback!). Longtime cast members Steven Weber, Jessy Schram, and Luke Mitchell are also back for season 11 to complete that shocking season 10 finale cliffhanger. Additionally, season 10's new additions Sarah Ramos and Darren Barnet are both back for the second seasons with the show.
Here’s a look at the complete main cast for season 11:
- S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin
- Oliver Platt as Dr. Daniel Charles
- Steven Weber as Dr. Dean Archer
- Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher
- Luke Mitchell as Dr. Mitch Ripley
- Sarah Ramos as Dr. Caitlin Ramos
- Darren Barnet as Dr. John Frost
There haven't been any new series regulars announced for season 11 ahead of the premiere, though we do know who else to expect to see this season. Original cast member Nick Gehlfuss will finally return after many years away from the show to reprise his fan-favorite role as Dr. Will Halstead. The actor has been confirmed for a guest star appearance in season 11.
Based on the season 10 finale cliffhanger, Sadie will also seemingly play a key role in Ripley's romantic storyline in season 11. Holly Curran has been confirmed by the showrunner to be in the new season as Sadie, and former Chicago PD star Shawn Hatosy's son Cassius Hatosy will guest star as a patient named Husdon Collins. We'll have to wait and see who else turns up!
Chicago Med season 11 premieres Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8/7c on NBC.