NBC drama loses original cast member after 10 seasons

A “Chicago Med” original cast member is leaving the show.

Marlyne Barrett, who has played ER nurse Maggie Lockwood since the medical drama premiered in 2015, won’t be back for season 51, NJ.com can confirm.

According to a Deadline report, Barrett is stepping back from “Chicago Med” for personal reasons, and the plan is for her to return at some point down the line. The actress previously battled uterine and ovarian cancer, but she revealed in September 2024 that she was in complete remission.

Marlyne Barrett, Chicago Med

While Barrett will be missing from season 11, another “Chicago Med” OG is returning as a guest star. Nick Gehlfuss will reprise his role as Dr. Will Halstead after previously leaving the show during season 8.

It’s unclear what Will’s season 11 storyline will entail or how many episodes he’ll appear in. Viewers last saw him resigning from Gaffney Chicago Medical Center and flying to Seattle to reunite with his ex-fiancée, Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto). Perhaps Will and Natalie have tied the knot since then?

Will’s return comes at an interesting time for his former flame Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram). During season 10, Hannah unexpectedly became pregnant with her own child while trying to be a surrogate for her sister, and it’s unclear who the father is.

The obvious answer would be Hannah’s ex Dr. Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell), but the season finale hinted that Hannah’s relationship with longtime friend Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber) may have recently turned romantic. The episode ended with Hannah showing up to Archer’s house and telling him, “We need to talk,” implying that the pregnancy news is related to him.

Schram, Mitchell, and Weber will all reprise their roles in season 11 of “Chicago Med,” which premieres on NBC on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

“Chicago Med” is the third installment of the “Chicago” franchise, after “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.”

Seasons 1-10 of “Chicago Med” are available to stream on Peacock.