Chicago Med is a spin-off of the original One Chicago franchise, but this hard-hitting medical drama has managed to find success in its own right, especially within the circles of the prime-time drama industry. The show follows the staff at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center as they strive to save lives on the front line while juggling complications in their personal lives. With a vast selection of immense characters to choose from, it seems that fans were gripped by this universe from the very beginning.
Yet, although this show presents a diverse array of notable characters, one man in particular seems to stand out from the crowd. Fans believe that Dr. Daniel Charles is the key driving force behind Chicago Med’s success, and, as one of the few characters on the show since the start, viewers believe that it wouldn’t have been the same without him.
Who Is Dr. Daniel Charles?
Oliver Platt’s Primetime Emmy Nominations:
| Award Title | Show | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | The Bear | 2023 |
| Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Nip/Tuck | 2008 |
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Huff | 2006 |
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Huff | 2005 |
| Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | The West Wing | 2001
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Dr. Daniel Charles, played by Oliver Platt, is the Head of Psychiatry and has been an integral part of the team since Chicago Med started in 2015. Throughout his time at the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, Dr. Charles has been forced to take on some complex and difficult cases, most likely because he is the only psychiatrist available in the ED. Although he does not handle the same kind of life-threatening cases that some of his peers face, Dr. Charles is tasked with looking after some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients. He also doesn’t just resort to handing out pills; he is always eager to delve deeper into the patient’s thought process and see if their mind is causing their physical ailments.
Alongside his work at the hospital, Dr. Charles also boasts a key position in the franchises’ spin-offs, such as Chicago PD. Here, he must act with a clear and calm head as he strives to get inside the minds of some of the city’s most deranged and harmful criminals. Thus, as one of the longest-running characters on the show, it’s no surprise that Dr. Charles has managed to capture the hearts and minds of some of its most loyal fans.
Dr. Charles’ Complex Backstory Gives Him an Added Edge
- The Chicago universe is also linked to some of Dick Wolf’s other hit shows, like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
- Dr. Will Halstead was inspired by a real-life American surgeon who specializes in unique sources of anesthesia.
- The number of words in each episode title corresponds with the series. So, every episode in Season 1 has a one-word title.
- Medical experts state that Chicago Med is more accurate than Grey’s Anatomy.
- The exterior shots of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center are actually from a convention center in Chicago.
Dr. Charles is just as complex and nuanced as some of his cases, which seems to make him a popular asset with fans. Though he spends most of his days treating other mentally ill patients, it appears that this psychiatrist also struggles with immense waves of depression and PTSD. In Season 1, Episode 12, “Guilty,” viewers learn that Dr. Charles struggles with a low mood and even takes anti-depressants himself. These feelings were revealed after a consultation with an actively suicidal patient. Thus, Dr. Charles’ own mental health struggles help to make him much more three-dimensional and relatable. As such, viewers have the opportunity to enjoy a storyline from both the patient’s and professional’s perspective.
Fans will also remember that Dr. Charles has been married three times, with each relationship collapsing in a heartbreaking way. He separated from his first wife because his family did not approve of him marrying a black woman, but the pair do have a daughter together who also works at the hospital. Robin Charles is an experienced epidemiologist but struggles to work alongside her father effectively due to her parent’s harsh divorce. This conflict is exemplified in Season 2, Episode 8, “Free Will,” when the pair butt heads after Dr. Charles tries to convince his daughter to stop dating Dr. Rhodes. As such, viewers are forced to see Dr. Charles’ family struggles laid bare and how he struggles to be a devoted father alongside the demands of his job.
Though Dr. Charles is portrayed as a passionate and dedicated doctor, his job also causes him to suffer a number of hardships. In Season 2, Episode 23, “Love Hurts,” Dr. Charles is shot by a deranged patient who grows tired of the ED’s long waiting times. This episode deals with a ton of harrowing scenes and showcases the pain that Dr. Charles feels after surviving the shooting himself but having to watch the patient commit suicide. Again, scenes like this highlight that Dr. Charles has a lot of guilt and trauma, which only makes him more appealing to avid viewers. Plus, it suggests that although he doesn’t deal with a lot of conventional cases, his teammates still trust his professional opinion on some of the hospital’s most convoluted cases.
Even in Stressful Environments, Dr. Charles Still Remains Calm and Kind
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Chicago Med Viewership Seasons 1-7:
| Season | Viewership |
|---|---|
| 1 | 9.83 million |
| 2 | 9.47 million |
| 3 | 10.10 million |
| 4 | 11.04 million |
| 5 | 11.22 million |
| 6 | 9.74 million |
| 7 | 9.11 million |
There’s no denying that Gaffney Chicago Medical Center is not the easiest place to work, but Dr. Charles still manages to show immense levels of empathy, even when the stakes are high. Throughout Season 5, Episode 2, “We’re Lost in the Dark,” Dr. Charles is determined to relieve a group of teenage girls who have been in close contact with a gas leak at their school. Yet, Dr. Charles decides to analyze their case from a completely different point of view and correctly diagnoses them as a case of mass hysteria. Not only does this episode highlight the effect of widespread mental illness, but it shines a light on Dr. Charles’ detailed diagnostic criteria. As such, instead of just agreeing with the first possible answer, Dr. Charles uses a range of intuitive processes to ensure that his patients receive the best care possible.
Even in the latest season, Dr. Charles still manages to unpack shocking cases while maintaining a keen sense of care and understanding. In Season 9, Episode 1, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat on a Rocky Sea,” the psychiatrist tackles the concept of survivor’s guilt, a topic that is rarely discussed in modern medical dramas. After a terrible car crash, Dr. Charles consoles a patient who refuses to receive life-saving treatment as she believes that she deserves to die. Though tensions are incredibly high throughout this example, Dr. Charles treats this patient with an incredible sense of compassion. In turn, viewers are glued to the edge of their seats and are drawn to the doctor’s intimate relationship with a vulnerable patient.
How Does Dr. Charles Hold Up Against Other Characters?
Top 5 Most Popular Chicago Med Episodes:
- Season 8, Episode 20, “The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow”
- Season 5, Episode 11, “The Ground Shifts Beneath Us”
- Season 5, Episode 4, “Infection”
- Season 4, Episode 19, “Never Let You Go”
- Season 8, Episode 16, “What You See Isn’t Always What You Get”
Compared with some of his other male co-workers, Dr. Charles seems to act more compassionately and does not let the stress of the situation cloud his professional judgment. His counterparts, like Dr. Choi and Dr. Halstead, are commonly criticized for inserting themselves into cases where they are not required and getting too hot-headed over minor details. Though these attributes help to create a bustling and diverse team, it’s clear to see why fans appreciate Dr. Charles’ input compared to his peers. It could also be argued that Dr. Charles has the hardest job of all, since he is the only fully qualified psychiatrist in the department. Thus, the pressure of every case falls on his shoulders, but he still manages to handle each one with such grace.
With the 10th season of Chicago Med set to return in Fall 2024, it seems that Dr. Charles will continue to spearhead developments within the show. Although Chicago Med is certainly not breaking the mold when it comes to medical dramas, the inclusion of Dr. Charles highlights the writers’ desire to place care and passion at the core of primetime TV.
