After a Major Cast Shakeup, What's in Store for 'Chicago Med'?
When Chicago Med was picked up for Season 9 in April, fans celebrated as the series inched closer to another decade on NBC. But the show's fall 2023 return was delayed due to the (now wrapped) WGA and (still ongoing) SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Fans are now left hanging to see what's next for the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center emergency department after a Season 8 full of change. Series original Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee) left to start a mobile clinic with his new wife, Dr. April Sexton (Yaya DaCosta). Dr. Dylan Scott (Guy Lockard), Dr. Pamela Blake (Sarah Rafferty) and Dr. Vanessa Taylor (Asjha Cooper) also departed.
And that was before the season finale, which saw another long-time character leave (more on that soon).
What's next for Chicago Med? Here's what we know about Season 9 so far, including who is in the cast, when it might premiere and more.
Is there a Season 9 of Chicago Med?
Yes. NBC announced Chicago Med would return for a ninth season. The season was slated to premiere in the fall of 2023, but like many shows, it was delayed due to the Hollywood strikes.
Is Chicago Med returning in the fall of 2023?
That was the plan. But alas, things have changed. Due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, NBC announced it was delaying the premiere of Chicago Med until 2024. Other NBC shows, including Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire and the Law & Order series, are also set for belated 2024 premieres.
Related: Dick Wolf's Net Worth In 2023 Basically Has a Zero for Every 'Law & Order' Show
What happened at the end of Chicago Med Season 8?
The Season 8 finale saw original cast member Nick Gehlfuss, who played Dr. Will Halstead, depart. Fans mourned, but Gelfuss believes it was the right call for him.
“It was a difficult decision, but ultimately, I felt I’d taken Dr. Halstead as far as I can go with him," said Gehlfuss, who had been with the show since the first season, in an interview with Variety. "I think that comes down to a creative part of you, or the energy or spirit you have that you’re either built for a very long time with one person or not. I am attracted to the profession for the variety in it, and eight years is a long time. It’s two college degrees. I’m joking now that I basically have a doctorate in television.”
Gehlfuss's character rode off into the sunset in sentimental fashion, getting an emotion-filled goodbye from his colleagues before reuniting with his former fiancé, Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto), at the airport.
Dr. Halstead left because he was tired of the profit-focused management under Jack Dayton (Sasha Roiz), which led him to tamper with Dayton's O.R. 2.0, so it messed up during a public demonstration, hurting Dayton's wallet. During the finale, Dayton told Dr. Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), another adversary of his, that he was planning to sell the hospital.
Who is cast in Chicago Med Season 9?
S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin
Chuck Hodes/NBC
The hospital's chief administrator valiantly fought Dayton, who was attempting to turn Gaffney Chicago Medical Center into a for-profit medical center. Whether she's successful remains TBD, but the one-time OR nurse did get word from Dayton in the finale that a malfunction of O.R. 2.0 had financially wrecked him during an IPO presentation.
Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood
Lori Allen/NBC
The ED charge nurse who tells it like it is will likely put on her scrubs once more for Season 9. Barrett has been with Chicago Med since Season 1. She signed a multi-year deal to remain on the show in 2022, according to Deadline.
Oliver Platt as Dr. Daniel Charles
Lori Allen/NBC
Known for his ability to help the team navigate occupational challenges, Dr. Daniel Charles (Platt) has been part of Chicago Med since Season 1. Platt has also assumed the role in a few episodes of Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. as well.
Dominic Rains as Dr. Crockett Marcel
George Burns Jr/NBC
Dr. Marcel wasn't a fan of Dayton's O.R. 2.0 contraption either and protested its use during a routine hernia surgery in the series finale (which went well, unlike the IPO presentation). Despite the ongoing dispute, Rains will likely don scrubs and resume playing the trauma surgeon when Season 9 premieres.
Steven Weber as Dr. Dean Archer
Lori Allen/NBC
Season 8 was difficult for Dr. Dean Archer, who has end-stage renal disease. His son, Sean, was supposed to donate a kidney to him, but that plan was thwarted when Sean relapsed. Despite the grim outlook, NBC hasn't announced that Weber would be exiting the series, so for now, it appears he'll be a part of Season 9.
Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher
George Burns Jr./NBC
Dr. Asher is a seasoned physician who is in recovery from substance abuse. She joined the team during the 5th season.
Sasha Roiz as Jack Dayton
George Burns Jr./NBC
Dayton revealed plans to sell the hospital during the Season 8 finale of Chicago Med.
Related: 'Chicago Med's Steven Weber Teases the Dean Archer Storyline for the Season 8 Finale
Who is leaving Chicago Med after Season 8?
George Burns Jr/NBC
A few cast-members almost certainly won't be returning for Season 9 of Chicago Med:
Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead
Gehlfuss confirmed he's moving on, feeling he's done everything he can with his character, Dr. Halstead.
Brian Tee as Dr. Ethan Choi
Tee's character left the team after marrying Dr. Sexton (DaCosta) and deciding to start a mobile clinic with her.
Yaya DaCosta as Dr. April Sexton
DaCosta's Dr. Sexton also left to start a mobile clinic.
Guy Lockard as Dr. Dylan Scott
Lockard left his post as Dr. Scott during the Season 8 premiere. His character left Chicago to escape his police past, and he's not slated to return.
Sarah Rafferty (Dr. Pamela Blake) and Asjha Cooper (Dr. Vanessa Taylor) also left in Season 8 and are unlikely to return.
Related: 'Chicago Fire' Actor Taylor Kinney Spotted in Rare Lunch Date Photo with Girlfriend
Who does Will Halstead end up with?
Dr. Halstead exited the One Chicago team by reuniting with ex-fiancé Dr. Manning (DeVitto) and her son, Owen, at the airport. The implication is the on-again, off-again pair is back on as Dr. Halstead turns the page.
How to watch Chicago Med Season 9
When Season 9 premieres, you can view Chicago Med on NBC and stream episodes the next day on Peacock. If you need a Chicago Med fix sooner, you're in luck. Peacock allows cable subscribers to rewatch old episodes of the series.
Related: Stream Chicago Med on FUBO TV
Is there a trailer for Chicago Med Season 9?
NBC hasn't released a Chicago Med Season 9 trailer.
Next, Is Adam Ruzek Leaving 'Chicago P.D.'? Everything We Know About Season 11
