Several original Chicago Med cast members have exited the series over the years, including Torrey DeVitto, and it’s seemingly been a difficult task to replace her character, Dr. Natalie Manning. The NBC medical drama TV show belongs to the One Chicago universe and follows the doctors and nurses who work in the emergency department of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Manning was one of those doctors (more specifically, she was an attending in surgery who specialized in pediatrics) until DeVitto exited Chicago Med during the season 7 premiere.
Chicago Med season 10 will consist of 22 episodes and premiere on Wednesday, September 25, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
DeVitto made her debut as Manning during the Chicago Med series premiere in 2015. Unfortunately, viewers met her in the wake of her husband’s death in Afghanistan, and while she was pregnant with their son. Over the years, Manning experienced more heartbreak, but she also found love again with Dr. Will Halstead, played by Nick Gehlfuss. The two were separated when Manning moved to Seattle after getting fired (and DeVitto decided to exit the show). However, Halstead reunited with Manning when he quit and moved to the West Coast (a result of Gehlfuss leaving Chicago Med after season 8).
Chicago Med Season 10 Introduces A Brand New Pediatrics Doctor
Darren Barnet Joins The Chicago Med Season 10 Cast
Three seasons after Torrey DeVitto exited Chicago Med, the writers are seemingly attempting to replace her character by introducing Darren Barnet as Dr. John Frost. Barnet (known for playing Paxton in Never Have I Ever) will make his debut during the Chicago Med season 10 premiere as he takes over the pediatrics role in the cast, a role that has been vacant for a couple of seasons. Try as they might, it has been hard for the writers to replace Manning. Hopefully, Barnet’s character will be the one who sticks.
| Chicago Med Season 10 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| S. Epatha Merkerson | Sharon Goodwin |
| Oliver Platt | Dr. Daniel Charles |
| Marlyne Barrett | Maggie Lockwood |
| Steven Weber | Dr. Dean Archer |
| Jessy Schram | Dr. Hannah Asher |
| Luke Mitchell | Dr. Mitch Ripley |
| Sarah Ramos | Dr. Caitlin Lenox |
| Darren Barnet | Dr. John Frost |
According to Deadline, Barnet’s Frost is a pediatric resident “harboring a secret.” Other than that little tidbit, not much is known about the new character. Frost is a bit of a mystery, and it seems like he will stay that way for the first few episodes of Chicago Med season 10. Only time will tell what Frost’s entire story is, or if he shares any similarities with Manning outside their work in pediatrics.
What Happened To Manning’s Original Chicago Med Replacement
Dr. Dylan Scott Left After The Season 8 Premiere
Shortly after Manning moved to Seattle during the Chicago Med season 7 premiere, the One Chicago TV show introduced Dr. Dylan Scott, played by Guy Lockard. Scott was a former police officer and a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician just like Manning. The writers made quick work to replace Torrey DeVitto’s character and fill the pediatrician role in the roster of Chicago Med characters with Scott. Unfortunately, though, Scott didn’t last for very long at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.
Replacing Manning is undoubtedly a difficult task, but Barnet is a talented actor, and hopefully, Frost will be a complex and intriguing character who makes a mark on Chicago Med like Manning did.
To be more specific, Lockard was a series regular on Chicago Med for only one season. Lockard exited the NBC medical drama during the season 8 premiere because his character couldn’t let go of his past as a police officer. Consequently, Scott decided to quit and move out of Chicago for a fresh start. Following his departure, Chicago Med lacked a pediatrician character in its main cast for two seasons. Now, Darren Barnet’s Frost will try to be the one who can successfully take over Manning’s role at Med in season 10.
Why Replacing Manning In Chicago Med Is Difficult
Torrey DeVitto Was An Original Cast Member
When any actor who has been a part of a TV show’s main cast for numerous seasons leaves, it’s always difficult to find someone who can fill their shoes. So, when Torrey DeVitto exited Chicago Med after starring in the NBC series for six seasons, the writers struggled to replace her. They tried with Scott, but he had an expiration date. Now, Darren Barnet’s Frost will attempt to take Manning’s place at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. However, Manning has proved to be irreplaceable (so far).
Manning was an important piece of the medical drama’s overall storyline. Yes, DeVitto’s Chicago Med character was extremely frustrating at times, and she certainly deserved to be fired, but Manning is also irrevocably tied to the show as she made a big impact on it. So, replacing Manning is undoubtedly a difficult task, but Barnet is a talented actor, and hopefully, Frost will be a complex and intriguing character who makes a mark on Chicago Med like Manning did.
