We're currently only one episode into Chicago Med season 12, but there's already some big news for the upcoming fall finale. The show's boss just revealed that a fan-favorite character will be making his return to the series this fall for the first time since the fifth season. Finally and officially, Colin Donnell will return to the series as Dr. Colin Rhodes in season 12.
Chicago Med showrunner Allen MacDonald confirmed the exciting news exclusively to People and set Donnell's return date for the episode airing on Wednesday, Dec. 9, which will double as the season 12 fall finale. Earlier this summer, MacDonald had teased he was hoping to land an original cast member to return this season, and now we know who was at the top of his list.
On bringing Donnell back to the series as Dr. Rhodes, MacDonald told People, "Dr. Connor Rhodes was the very first character fans met in the opening scene of Chicago Med’s premiere episode in 2015, and he’s one of my absolute favorites in the history of the series, so bringing him back home to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center has been an absolute priority for me since I joined the show."
Colin Donnell returning as Connor Rhodes in Chicago Med season 12 fall finale
MacDonald's statement continued, "I’m so thrilled that Colin Donnell has agreed to return in his iconic role, bringing with him all of Connor’s warmth, intelligence and complexity. Both Colin and Connor have been missed." They certainly have been missed, especially since only two original characters—Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) and Charles (Oliver Platt)—remain as regulars in the show.
Rhodes will be returning to Gaffney to assist with a "risky surgery" for a young patient with a complicated issue with their heart. Goodwin specifcally calls on Rhodes for his expertise, which also might give away one of the biggest storylines of season 12. If Goodwin's inviting Rhodes back to perform a surgery, that must mean that she's back on board as the administrator.
People shared a first-look at Donnell's triumphant return as Dr. Rhodes with an exclusive photo. He's standing with Goodwin near the Gaffney elevator still wearing his coat and scarf, clearly not yet scrubbed in for the surgery he's expected to perform (unless he's simply there for a consult). Goodwin wears a badge and holds her signature notebook, another hint that she has her job back.
It's been confirmed that Donnell's return in Chicago Med season 12 will be for two episodes, but let's cross our fingers for more in the future. You never know what tricks could be up MacDonald's sleeve when it comes to bringing back old stars. When season 11 brought back Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Halstead, we also received Torrey DeVitto as Dr. Manning as a surprise for two episodes.
Donnell first left Chicago Med back in season 5 after appearing in the first episode to write out Rhodes. Since Rhodes left Gaffney in the wake of his dad's murder and Bekker's suicide, he hasn't returned or been part of the series in any way. But he's finally returning and fulfilling the wishes of long-time fans who kept the hope alive that he might come back someday.
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