One of the three remaining original cast members of “Chicago Med” will not be returning for Season 11. Marlyne Barrett, who has portrayed Maggie Lockwood since the show’s 2015 debut, is stepping back for personal reasons. It has not been determined whether she will return later in the season.
S. Epatha Merkerson, who plays Sharon Goodwin, and Oliver Platt, who plays Daniel Charles, will be the final two original cast members returning for Season 11 when it debuts in October.
Maggie has been a mainstay at Gaffney Medical’s ED, working as a charge nurse and close friend and ally to the staff, especially to Goodwin. During Season 10, she formed a very close friendship with Dr. John Frost, played by newcomer to the show, Darren Barnet.
In real life, Barrett shared in July 2022 that she was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer. After undergoing 30 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, the cancer eventually went into remission.
The news comes one day after the announcement of Nick Gehlfuss’ return to the series. The actor portrayed Dr. Will Halstead for eight seasons before leaving. He will be back as a guest star in Season 11.
“Chicago Med,” along with “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD,” is produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television. The trio of hits will return to NBC on Oct 1.
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💬 “A Piece of My Heart Will Always Be at Gaffney” — Marlyne Barrett Reflects on Her Emotional Exit from Chicago Med
After a decade of portraying the fierce, compassionate, and unshakably loyal Maggie Lockwood, actress Marlyne Barrett is stepping away from Chicago Med — one of the show’s last remaining original cast members.
“When I first stepped onto the set in 2015, I had no idea how much this journey would shape me — as an actress, and as a woman,” Barrett reflects. “Maggie wasn’t just a character. She was a force. She loved hard, she fought harder, and she carried people through their darkest moments. Getting to bring her to life has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”
Barrett’s departure comes as she focuses on personal healing. In 2022, the actress courageously shared her real-life battle with uterine and ovarian cancer. After enduring chemotherapy and surgery, her cancer eventually went into remission — a journey that deeply resonated with fans and added even more weight to her portrayal of strength on screen.
Now, stepping back from Chicago Med for Season 11, Barrett leaves behind not just a role, but a legacy.
“Maggie is the kind of nurse — and woman — we all hope to have by our side in a crisis,” she says. “She’s the heart of the ED. And though I won’t be walking those halls right now, I carry every memory, every moment, with me.”
Throughout her ten seasons, Maggie was more than a colleague — she was a confidant, a leader, and a steady presence for everyone from Sharon Goodwin to new faces like Dr. John Frost. Barrett’s chemistry with the cast, especially S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt, helped anchor the emotional core of the show.
As for the future, Barrett leaves the door open. “This isn’t goodbye forever,” she shares. “It’s simply time to pause, to breathe, and to heal. But once you’re part of the Chicago Med family, you never really leave.”
With her exit, only two original cast members remain: Merkerson’s Sharon Goodwin and Platt’s Dr. Charles. Still, Marlyne Barrett’s decade-long performance has already left an indelible mark on the series — and on the hearts of fans around the world.
