NBC’s Chicago Med will face a significant change when it returns for its eleventh season this fall, as one of its three remaining original cast members prepares to exit. Marlyne Barrett, who has portrayed the beloved and steadfast ER nurse Maggie Lockwood since the series premiered in 2015, is departing the medical drama due to personal reasons, according to sources close to the production.
The series will maintain some continuity with the return of fellow original stars S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin and Oliver Platt as Daniel Charles, both of whom had their contracts renewed for the 2025-26 season. Adding to the season’s casting news, Nick Gehlfuss will make a special guest return as Dr. Will Halstead, the character he played for eight seasons before leaving the show.
Barrett’s departure will leave a significant void, as her Charge Nurse Maggie has evolved into the conscience and heartbeat of Gaffney Medical’s Emergency Department over nearly a decade.
Most recently in Season 10, Maggie took center stage in a compelling storyline involving contentious nursing union negotiations, which built to a dramatic climax with a coordinated sick-out that created hospital-wide tension.
Personal Struggles Often Reflected On-Screen
Barrett’s character journey has often mirrored her real-life challenges, particularly during Season 5 when Maggie faced a cancer diagnosis before ultimately achieving remission. This storyline took on added significance when Barrett publicly revealed her own battle with uterine and ovarian cancer in July 2022.
In a triumphant update in September 2024, the actress announced she had achieved full remission, bringing hope to fans who had followed both her personal and professional journeys.
Looking Ahead
As Barrett prepares to step away from the series, Chicago Med continues under the guidance of Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television, with executive producers Dick Wolf, Allen MacDonald, Stephen Hootstein, and Peter Jankowski at the helm.
The beloved medical drama will kick off its eleventh season on October 1 at 8 PM, leading the highly anticipated return of all three One Chicago series.
