The Chicago Med season 8 finale featured the exit of one original main character, a continuing medical scare for one doctor, the promise of bad times ahead for Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, and so many more plot developments that led to questions that the writers will have to answer when season 9 airs. NBC renewed the medical drama series for a ninth season in April 2023, along with the other One Chicago television shows. Unfortunately, it’s unclear when any of them will premiere.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach an agreement regarding a new contract after the old one expired, so the writers went on strike on May 2, 2023. As of the writing of this article, the strike is still ongoing as the writers fight for their rights, and it’s unknown when any television shows, including Chicago Med, will resume production. In the meantime, fans can prepare for Chicago Med season 9 by theorizing what the writers have in store for the characters in the upcoming episodes, including what questions must be addressed.
10 Who Is Will Halstead’s Replacement In Chicago Med?
To the audience’s surprise, Will Halstead, played by Nick Gehlfuss, handed in his letter of resignation during the Chicago Med season 8 finale. Halstead had been a constant and familiar figure in the NBC series since its pilot, so it was difficult to say goodbye to him. However, Gehlfuss was ready to leave Chicago Med, just like Halstead felt it was time to depart Chicago and (finally) reunite with Natalie Manning, played by original cast member Torrey DeVitto, in Seattle. With the new direction that the hospital was taking, in terms of being for-profit, Halstead didn’t want to be associated with an institution that valued money over patients.
While Halstead’s exit was sudden, it also made sense. His careless nature could be frustrating at times, but he always did what he thought was best for his patients. Gaffney’s new approach no longer lined up with Halstead’s beliefs, so it was time for him to go. But with his departure comes the need to replace the stubborn and passionate doctor. It’s a good thing that Chicago Med already has the perfect replacement for Halstead — Dr. Loren Johnson, played by Henderson Wade. Johnson appeared in a couple of season 8 episodes when he brought two patients to the hospital via air ambulance, and he could become a regular fixture at Chicago Med.
9 Will Grace Song Face Any Consequences For Sabotaging OR 2.0?
Before Halstead left Chicago Med, he and Grace Song, played by T.V. Carpio, purposefully sabotaged OR 2.0, Gaffney’s latest medical achievement that assisted surgeons during operations. The only problem was that the surgery unit wasn’t ready to be used on real people yet. There were still a few bugs that needed to be sorted out, but Jack Dayton, played by Sasha Roiz, couldn’t wait any longer because he wanted to show it off to investors. As a result, a man died, and Dominic Rains’ Crockett Marcel, who had performed the surgery, privately carried the blame.
Once Halstead and Song uncovered the faults in OR 2.0, they took their concerns to Marcel, who, in turn, went to Dayton. However, Dayton wanted Marcel to perform minor surgery on him with OR 2.0 during a showing with investors. Dayton brushed the doctors off, and the operation occurred as planned. But Halstead and Song took manners into their own hands by sabotaging the surgery unit, proving to investors that it wasn’t ready. Ultimately, Halstead took all the blame for their scheme, but it will be interesting to see if the truth about Song’s involvement comes out in Chicago Med season 9.
8 Will Dr. Charles & Liliana Stay Together In Chicago Med Season 9?
Dr. Daniel Charles, played by Oliver Platt, started dating Liliana Wapniarski, played by Alet Taylor, in Chicago Med season 8. Liliana is a Polish immigrant who works as a janitor at the hospital, and she and Dr. Charles immediately hit it off. They soon began dating, even though he was technically her superior at Chicago Med, and he was worried about the power dynamics in their relationship. Nevertheless, Dr. Charles and Liliana couldn’t ignore their feelings for one another, and it seemed like Dr. Charles had finally found the right woman for him.
Unfortunately, their relationship can’t be all sunshine and butterflies — it exits in a fictional drama television series, after all. Liliana’s brother, Pawel Wapniarski, played by Kristof Konrad, eventually made his way to Chicago and caused some tension in his sister’s relationship. Pawel first appeared in Chicago Med season 8, episode 19, when he had dinner with Dr. Charles and Liliana, and it was clear that he thrived on making people uncomfortable.
His actions caused friction between Dr. Charles and Liliana, but they also hit a wall when the doctor insisted that Liliana move in with him. Pawel’s gambling addiction led to Liliana having to pull out of escrow to help him out, which, in turn, caused Dr. Charles to ask her to live with him. But the question made her feel like a “charity case.” Dr. Charles and Liliana fought and later made up (and admitted that they loved one another) during the Chicago Med season 8 finale, but they still have some issues to work through going forward.
7 Is Pawel A Villain?
The issue of Pawel and his interference in Dr. Charles and Liliana’s relationship in Chicago Med has yet to be resolved, and it’s unclear what his motives are. Perhaps his gambling addiction is a serious issue that he needs to seek help for, or his problems run deeper. Whatever the case may be, Pawel isn’t going away anytime soon.
Liliana’s brother has only appeared in a couple of episodes of the NBC series, but he might have a bigger role come season 9. He could serve as a main antagonist in the upcoming episodes, which would be a bad sign for Dr. Charles and Liliana. When Chicago Med season 9 premieres, the writers have the opportunity to craft an intriguing story involving Pawel as the villain. But hopefully, he doesn’t break up Dr. Charles and Liliana’s relationship. Fans know that if anyone deserves happiness, it’s Dr. Charles.
6 Is Jack Dayton Gone For Good?
Halstead and Song put an end to Jack Dayton’s OR 2.0 dreams during the Chicago Med season 8 finale, but the villain might not be gone forever. Dayton bought a controlling interest in the Gaffney Medical Group in season 8, making him the owner of the hospital (and everyone’s boss). He had plenty of ideas to innovate Chicago Med, including the addition of OR 2.0, but his plan to turn Gaffney into a for-profit hospital came with a lot of backlash from the doctors and nurses.
Dayton valued profit over patients, which was made clear throughout his time in the show. But when his OR 2.0 dreams came crashing down, Dayton admitted to Sharon Goodwin, played by S. Epatha Merkerson, that he had bet his fortune on the surgery unit. Since he had lost all of his money, Dayton had no other choice but to sell the hospital. However, given Dayton’s scheming ways, it wouldn’t be surprising if he reappeared in Chicago Med season 9.
5 Who Will Buy The Hospital?
Once Dayton revealed that he was forced into selling his (majority) shares of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, the look on Goodwin’s face told Chicago Med fans all they needed to know about what is coming in season 9. If viewers thought Dayton was bad, whoever replaces him is likely even worse. Hopefully, whoever buys the hospital isn’t a carbon copy of Dayton, but they will undoubtedly be one of the antagonists in the upcoming season.
Since the revelation that Dayton sold the hospital was one of the cliffhangers in the Chicago Med season 8 finale, its new owner will probably be a focal point in season 9. Perhaps it will be someone fans have met before, or it might be a new character. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this storyline plays out in the NBC drama.
4 Will Dean Archer Die Before He Gets A New Kidney?
Unfortunately, Chicago Med season 8, episode 22 didn’t provide any closure to Dean Archer’s health scare, so his medical problems will continue next season. Archer, played by Steven Weber, was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and needed a new kidney. The good news was that his previously estranged son, Sean, played by Luigi Sottile, was a donor match. The bad news was that Sean was a recovering addict who fell off the wagon during the finale.
3 Will Hannah Asher Start Dating Again?
Viewers learned toward the end of Chicago Med season 8 that Sean had developed a crush on Hannah Asher, played by Jessy Schram. Unfortunately, it didn’t sound like she reciprocated his feelings, but that doesn’t mean she won’t find a different partner when season 9 premieres. It’s been a long time since Asher has been on a date, and for good reason, but even she admitted that it’s time for her to get back out there.
Asher downloaded a couple of dating apps before season 8 concluded, and it seems like she’s ready to give them a try. Even though Asher and Sean likely won’t be taking their relationship to the next level anytime soon, a new character may come along in the upcoming episodes and sweep her off her feet. It’s time to bring maximum romance back to Chicago Med, and that can all start with Asher.
2 Will Any Ex-Chicago Med Characters Cameo In Season 9?
Although plenty of main characters have come and gone throughout Chicago Med‘s eight seasons, there are still opportunities for them to return to the NBC series, even if it’s just for a cameo. Of course, the four characters that immediately come to mind are Halstead, Manning, April Sexton (Yaya DaCosta), and Ethan Choi (Brian Tee). It might be easier for April and Ethan to pop into Gaffney since they still live in Chicago, while Halstead and Manning currently reside in Seattle. However, after Gehlfuss exited the series, he admitted he was open to returning.
Hopefully, when Chicago Med season 9 rolls around, one or two former main characters make a cameo. It would be nice to see some familiar faces, especially because the amount of original cast members is dwindling. But only time will tell if fans will see them on their screens again.
1 Will Maggie Lockwood Leave In Chicago Med Season 9?
Before the Chicago Med season 8 finale revealed that Halstead was leaving, it sounded like Maggie Lockwood, played by Marlyne Barrett, was the one who was on her way out the door. Similar to Halstead, Maggie was fed up with Dayton and the new for-profit structure of the hospital. She confessed to Goodwin that she had met with a recruiter and had an exciting job interview for a new hospital in the city. So it was shocking when Halstead exited the show instead of Maggie in episode 22.
