Chicago Med Alum Nick Gehlfuss to Return as Dr. Will Halstead 2 Years After His Exit

Dr. Will Halstead is coming back to the Windy City.

PEOPLE can confirm that Nick Gehlfuss will reprise his role as the beloved physician in the upcoming 11th season of Chicago Med on NBC. Gehlfuss is set to return to the series as a guest star, though his storyline and the number of episodes in which he will appear are not yet known.

Gehlfuss starred on the hit medical drama for eight years, from the time the show premiered on NBC in 2015 until his departure in 2023.

Ahead of his original exit, Gehlfuss caught up with PEOPLE to talk about his choice to move on.

“It was a difficult decision, but I felt I had taken Dr. Halstead as far as I could go with him. I really value my time on the show and I’m so grateful for it,” he said. “I’ve learned a hell of a lot and it’s changed my life for the better. The hardest part is leaving the vast talented group of good people. I’m so proud of the work we accomplished.”

In the season 8 finale, Halstead handed his letter of resignation to Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), who wondered what they were “going to do” without him, adding that Halstead was “a constant source of irritation and a constant source of inspiration.”

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Following a tearful farewell with the staff, Halstead headed to Seattle to reunite with his former love, Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto, who left the show in the season 7 premiere), and her son Owen.

Gehlfuss had also previously told PEOPLE that he remained open to returning as Dr. Halstead one day.

“Yes, actually Dick [Wolf], the producers and I agreed to end the storyline to preserve the ability to bring Halstead back if the opportunity presents itself,” he said.

Chicago Med returns on Oct. 1 on NBC.