Chicago Med season 6 preview: Producers on pandemic-inspired changes

By Brittany Frederick | Nov 10, 2020

"When Did We Begin To Change" Episode 601 -- Pictured: Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC) /

Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov preview Chicago Med season 6.

When Chicago Med season 6 premieres tomorrow, the series is going to look considerably different. Like most other medical dramas, the One Chicago show is incorporating the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to grip the United States into its universe, and the first episode will show how the hospital is dealing with the crisis.

One Chicago Center re-connected with showrunners and executive producers Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider to discuss how they approached the subject, and whether or not we’ll see any longer-term storylines roll out in season 6 now that the series has been renewed for three more seasons.

See what they had to tell us below before you tune into the Chicago Med season premiere at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT tomorrow on NBC. And if you don’t remember where the show left off at the end of the fifth season, catch up with our quick recap.

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One Chicago Center: It was announced recently that Chicago Med season 6 will have a COVID-19 storyline, which starts in the premiere. How did you figure out how to incorporate the pandemic, and is this an ongoing story, or something that will be primarily in the first episode?

Diane Frolov: Given that so many health care workers have become infected, we thought it necessary for one of our own to have contracted the disease. The character is nearing the end of recovery as the season begins, but the emotional fallout is ongoing. And we may find some unexpected post-COVID symptoms.

OCC: Season 5 was a season of personal change for the show; almost every character had some sort of major relationship development. Who’s changed the most when we meet them again in season 6? Anyone you were particularly excited to get back to?

Andrew Schneider: Really all our characters have been profoundly affected by the events of the last eight months—romantically and professionally. We’re excited to be exploring how they’ve all changed and grown.

OCC: This is your second season writing for Dr. Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains). Did you tweak anything for him based on your experience last season, and what can we expect from him this time around?

AS: The secret of his past that he shares with Natalie will deepen their relationship.

OCC: It’s also been announced that Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) has a storyline involving a clinical trial this season. He doesn’t have the best luck with plots outside the ED, so what kind of things are ahead for him now?

DF: This clinical trial will provide Will both with advancement in his career and the possibility of a new and deep personal relationship.

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OCC: One interesting off-screen note is that you know Chicago Med will be on the air through at least season 8 after NBC’s massive renewal. Have you started writing storylines any differently knowing you can look ahead, or is season 6 still very much its own entity?

DF: We’re starting our sixth season, and at this point we’re still just focusing on the various character arcs for it—although we do discuss how those arcs may play in to season 7.

Next. Full Chicago Med TV schedule in November 2020. dark

For the latest Chicago Med season 6 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Med category at One Chicago Center.

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