BREAKING: Original Chicago Med Star Marlyne Barrett to Exit Series Ahead of Season 11 — But There’s a Twist
After nearly a decade of scrubbing in as one of Chicago Med’s most beloved and resilient characters, Marlyne Barrett is set to depart the NBC medical drama ahead of its upcoming 11th season — marking the end of an era for longtime fans.
Barrett, who originated the role of no-nonsense, fiercely compassionate ER charge nurse Maggie Lockwood in the show’s 2015 debut, is stepping away from the series, TVLine has confirmed. The news, first reported by Deadline, may come as a gut punch to fans — but there is hope: her exit is not expected to be permanent, with the door reportedly left open for future appearances.
Throughout her tenure on Chicago Med, Maggie became the emotional anchor of the emergency department, weathering both professional upheavals and deeply personal battles — most notably a Season 5 breast cancer storyline that would later mirror Barrett’s real-life battle with uterine and ovarian cancer in 2022. As of September 2024, the actress proudly announced she is in complete remission.
Her upcoming absence leaves a noticeable gap in the cast, especially with the recent return of Nick Gehlfuss (Dr. Will Halstead) as a guest star in Season 11, reuniting the remaining original cast members S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt, who are both confirmed to return this fall.
Chicago Med Season 11 premieres Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8/7c on NBC — but it will do so without one of its most enduring and impactful characters… for now.
