Asjha Cooper leaves Chicago Med season 8

Another episode, another Chicago Med exit. It’s been a tough season for fans of the medical drama, and things got even tougher when it was confirmed that Vanessa Taylor is leaving.

The character, played by Asjha Cooper, told Maggie (Marlyne Barrett), that she was going to quit her job at Gaffney Medical Center and travel to the Philippines to help others. “It’s my calling” she told a shocked Maggie.

Is Dr. Taylor leaving Chicago Med?

The shock is still fresh, especially considering the fact that the show did little to tease this exit. It seemed so sudden, in fact, that fans were maintaining hope the character would remain in the mix in some capacity.

Unfortunately, Variety confirmed the exit shortly after the episode aired. The character is officially leaving Chicago Med after nearly two seasons. Granted, her still being alive and working in the medical field means she could always return, but based on how far away she will be, it’s safe to assume a cameo won’t occur for a while.

As those of you who’ve been watching season 8 can confirm, Cooper is one of several actors who have exited Med recently. The premiere episode saw the death of a prominent guest and a main star, Guy Lockard, while the upcoming episodes will be setting up the departure of Brian Tee, who has been a member of Gaffney since the pilot.

Despite the seeming quickness of Cooper’s departure, there appears to be nothing but love and positive energy between her and the rest of the Med team. She posted photos of her last day on the set on her Instagram story, and it’s evident that saying goodbye to co-stars like Nick Gehlfuss, Dominic Rains, and the aforementioned Barrett was an emotional experience.

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