Who Will Return to Chicago Med for Season 11?
Chicago Med has left its fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead after the gripping season 10 finale.
In the episode aired in May, Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) concealed her pregnancy as she was preparing to be a surrogate for her sister. While many believed that this development would reunite Hannah with Dr. Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell), she chose not to share the news with him.
Interestingly, in a surprising twist, Hannah decided to visit her longtime friend and confidant, Dr. Dean Archer (Steve Weber), seemingly to break the news to him first. This unexpected visit led some viewers to speculate that Archer might be the father of her child.
Meanwhile, Ripley had his own surprise visitor at the end of the season: Sadie (Holly Curran), a patient he had almost lost while trying to save her and her daughter from a roadside trap earlier in the season.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly in May, showrunner Allen MacDonald hinted at an “unfortunate wait and see” scenario for Hannah and Ripley, suggesting their storyline will continue to evolve in season 11.
Scroll down to find out which Chicago Med actors are confirmed to return for season 11 — and which are not:
Epatha Merkerson
Merkerson’s Sharon Goodwin concluded the season single after her breakup with Dr. Dennis Washington (John Earl Jelks). Following the split, she visited her ex-husband, Bert Goodwin (Gregory Alan Williams), who is residing in a care facility for Alzheimer’s patients.
While it remains unclear whether Williams will make additional appearances next season, Merkerson’s return seems highly probable. “I believe Goodwin is definitely ready to move on,” MacDonald mentioned to NBC Insider in May regarding Sharon’s future. “Although she has spent much of the season grappling with her traumatic stabbing, visiting [her stalker] early on forces her to confront that trauma. She realizes she is living a life she almost lost and must be truthful about her desires.”
Jessy Schram
MacDonald confirmed that Schram’s character, Hannah, will remain central to the plot in season 11, teasing how Hannah’s choice to confide in Archer rather than Ripley will lead to a “very complicated story” that will unfold next season.
Luke Mitchell
Prior to Sadie’s arrival at Ripley’s door, Hannah had expressed her feelings of being “in love” with him. However, the love triangle involving Mitchell’s character isn’t definitively set. His return for season 11 has been confirmed.
“While I cannot predict where it leads beyond them having a conversation, I would say there are unresolved issues between them,” MacDonald stated regarding Ripley and Sadie’s future, confirming that the dynamics between Ripley and Hannah will also progress in some capacity.
Steven Weber
Weber’s Dr. Archer has been integral to the Emergency Department since 2021. Even though he nearly resigned during season 10, he’s expected to have a bright future on Chicago Med.
The season 10 finale concluded with Hannah’s unexpected visit to his doorstep. While fans speculate that she is about to reveal her pregnancy, some are also questioning if he could possibly be the father.
MacDonald told Us in May that Hannah “deeply trusts Archer, and he is her go-to when she feels unsettled.”
Oliver Platt
Platt has portrayed Dr. Daniel Charles since the show’s inception in 2015, and his return for season 11 seems assured. During the season 10 cliffhanger, Charles was one of the few characters who found closure, reuniting with his daughters to mourn their late grandmother.
Marlyne Barrett
“We’re definitely planning some exciting developments for Maggie [Lockwood] next year,” MacDonald told Us in May, affirming Barrett’s return and her character’s storyline continuation. “We will see all those nurses.”
However, three months later, it was announced that Barrett would be stepping back from the series for “personal reasons” ahead of season 11, as reported by Deadline. The news indicated that this departure was planned as a “temporary leave,” though the actress has not publicly commented on her hiatus.
Sarah Ramos
Ramos began her role as Dr. Caitlin Lenox in season 10 and received life-altering news during the May finale. Both Lenox and her brother, Kip (Logan Miller), were tested for Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS), a disease that claimed their mother’s life. Although Lenox initially claimed her test was negative, it was later disclosed that she does indeed have the condition.
While she faces the certainty of an “early death,” the showrunner assured Us that Ramos will return to explore the next chapter of Lenox’s journey.
“The reality [of Lenox’s diagnosis] will certainly influence her behavior going forward,” MacDonald remarked to NBC Insider. “The audience will be as shocked as Lenox will be.”
Darren Barnet
Barnet joined the cast as Dr. John Frost at the start of season 10. After the finale, he celebrated his journey so far on the show, stating on Instagram, “It is an honor to be part of the Gaffney family and portray Dr. Frost.”
While he has yet to publicly confirm his return, he represented Chicago Med at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in France this June.
John Earl Jelks
Although fans hoped for a lasting romance between Sharon and Dr. Dennis Washington (Jelks), she ultimately ended their relationship in the season finale. Their clash arose from Dennis’ failure to inform his daughter about their romance and Sharon’s decision to demote him to save costs for the hospital.
While both faced challenges, it appears their romance is unlikely to reignite, hinting at Jelks’ potential exit from the show. “Dennis isn’t a villain, but he isn’t the man she envisioned. The budget cuts strain their relationship, which leads to this realization,” MacDonald explained to NBC Insider in May.
After ending her connection with Dennis, Sharon seems “liberated and optimistic for the future,” suggesting no relapse into their old relationship.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut
During season 10, Chestnut’s Naomi Howard concluded her arc by confronting Dr. Nicholas Hayes (Brendan Hines)’s sexual misconduct. Although Naomi stated she needed to start anew, the One Chicago team hopes to welcome her back on screen in the future.
“We adore Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut and her character, Naomi, expanding her role as the season unfolded,” MacDonald told Us in May, adding, “It would be a shame not to see her again.”
Nick Gehlfuss
Us confirmed in August that Gehlfuss is set to return to Chicago Med in a guest role for season 11. The last appearance of Gehlfuss’ Dr. Will Halstead — an original character on the series — was during season 8’s finale in May 2023.
At that moment, he mentioned his plans to leave Chicago for a new chapter in Seattle, where he was warmly greeted by his former fiancée Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto), indicating a potential romantic rekindling in the future.
