From the always intense Grey’s Anatomy to the distinct and realistic Max drama The Pitt, there are more than a few TV shows about the highs and lows that medical professionals experience every day at work. Since Chicago Med has been on the air since 2015, the series is comforting, familiar, and nostalgic. Like the other shows in NBC’s One Chicago franchise, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, Chicago Med has a signature style, with high stakes and heightened drama in every episode.
Since fans heard that some cast members might be exiting the beloved series, there’s been a lot of talk about which doctors and nurses could leave Gaffney Chicago Medical Center behind. Viewers are concerned about one great character, and the show wouldn’t be the same without them.
Fans Hope Maggie Lockwood Returns For Chicago Med Season 11
After hearing the good news that main cast members S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt are coming back for Chicago Med season 11, fans began wondering about Marlyne Barrett. Redditor @OrangeObjective8616 wrote:
“But no Maggie…? All three of them resigned contracts after S9 but for some reason they aren’t mentioning Maggie’s character here. Do you think she’s leaving?”
Redditor @Fitzfan4ever replied:
“Hope not.”
Redditor @peascreateveganfood added, “I love her.” While another fan said that there might not be many future storylines for Maggie Lockwood after the nurses went on strike in Chicago Med season 10, it’s hard to imagine Maggie not being part of her hard-working and compassionate team.
Since Maggie is the charge nurse, she has strong and important relationships with the entire staff, and like Dana Evans (Katherine LaNara) on The Pitt, she’s integral to the workings of the hospital. If she left and a new character came in, Chicago Med would lose one of its most caring characters, and that would be terrible. Viewers noted that Maggie and Dr. Nick Frost (Darren Barnet) had an especially close friendship in the most recent season, and it would be great to see that continue in season 11.
Marlyne Barrett Praised Chicago Med Season 10 (And Maggie Had A Fairly Strong Season)
In an interview with PEOPLE in September 2024, prior to Chicago Med season 10’s premiere, Marlyne Barrett had a lot of positive things to say about the new batch of episodes. She said:
“there was a pulse to the show that I hadn’t felt in a long time, although I’m very passionate about the show.”
The actress continued:
“It was this new breath to the One Chicago Med family that I was so excited [about]. By the time you get to episode three, you’re like, ‘This is a completely new show’… I’m really excited to say that I believe that One Chicago, I’ll dare say it, we’re going to give Law & Order a run. It’s in the same family, so please, nobody get upset that I say this.”
While Maggie wasn’t part of the much-discussed finale cliffhanger, her Chicago Med season 10 character arc was fairly well-done. Her major focus was helping the nurses negotiate a better deal with the hospital, and throughout this plotline, she showed how much she cares about the people around her.
Still, it’s hard not to wish that Maggie had been given even more screen time, and that she was given as many memorable storylines as others such as Dr. Caitlin Lenox (Sarah Ramos). Some fans felt Maggie should have been a bigger part of the latest season, which is definitely one reason why it’s sad to imagine her not coming back to work at Gaffney again. Hopefully, fans will get some good news soon about Maggie and their other favorite doctors and nurses.
