Chicago Med Original Cast Marlyne Barrett Leaves Ahead Season 11

Marlyne Barrett, who has portrayed ER nurse Maggie Lockwood since the premiere of Chicago Med in 2015, is stepping back from the series for personal reasons ahead of its eleventh season, which premieres October 1, 2025. Barrett's departure is described as a temporary leave, with hopes that she may return in the future. Her character has been a central figure, known for her leadership and resilience, including storylines about battling breast cancer and leading a nurse strike. Barrett herself was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer in 2022 but has been in full remission since 2024. Alongside Barrett’s absence, Nick Gehlfuss, who played Dr. Will Halstead for eight seasons, will return as a guest star, joining the two remaining original cast members, S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt. The show’s creators and producers have not yet revealed how Maggie Lockwood’s absence will be addressed in the storyline.