When you're watching a new season of your favorite show, it's always exciting to be reunited with the characters you know and love and see what kind of action they're getting up to next. But it's also thrilling to be surprised by the other unexpected stars popping up throughout the season. If you watched The Night Agent season 3 on Netflix, you probably noticed a familiar face from Chicago Med.
While none of the doctors from Gaffney were fighting alongside Peter Sutherland in The Night Agent season 3, or even working against him as an enemy, the new episodes featured Chicago Med season 11 guest star Zach Appelman in a major recurring role. The actor plays Theo, a key member of the White House's press team and Chelsea's (Fola Evans-Akingbola) fiancé.
If you're trying to place Zach Appelman in Chicago Med, the actor made his first appearance in season 11 episode 2, "A Game of Inches," as Jeremy Lockhart, a patient who comes to the hospital with his pregnant wife. The couple doesn't expect Jeremy's symptoms to yield a major diagnosis, but Asher discovers that Jeremy has gastric cancer, a shock to the expectant parents.
Appelman reprises his role as Jeremy Lockhart in Chicago Med season 11 episode 7, "Double Down," when Jeremy and Esme return to Gaffney. The couple opts for a dangerous surgery that would allow Jeremy more time to meet their newborn son, which is successful. However, since Jeremy's cancer remains terminal, his life expectancy likely doesn't allow for him to survive much longer.
Oddly enough, before appearing in Chicago Med season 11 as Jeremy Lockhart, Zach Appelman previously had a role in Chicago PD season 5 as a character named Matt Miller. He's one of the rare One Chicago guest stars who has bounced between multiple shows playing different characters, which has definitely happened more than one in the franchise's long run.
However, Appelman's role in The Night Agent season 3 was much lighter than his role in Chicago Med, which you wouldn't think would be the case in a spy-thriller versus a medical drama. But as a member of the President's staff, Theo seemingly has some rose-colored glasses on regarding the administration he's working for. He's happy-go-lucky and believes the best in President Hagan (Ward Horton) and First Lady Jenny Hagan (Jennifer Morrison).
Honestly, Theo got on my nerves as a character for that very reason. It's a respectable quality that he's so positive and optimistic, but early on in The Night Agent season 3, I couldn't get past how often he minimized Chelsea's doubts about the Hagans and played devil's advocate. Sure, he was being a supportive partner and protecting her from opening a dangerous can of worms, but it was annoying.
As amazing and likable as Appelman is in the role, Theo's compliance can be maddening. I mean, he went along with the Hagans' decision to reveal Chelsea's name, as a Secret Service agent, to the public in a press briefing, connecting her to a major incident at the White House. I couldn't believe he went along with it! His blind trust was, again, admirable but nonetheless frustrating.
By the end of the season, I came around to Theo as his eyes opened and put his career on the line in order to stand up for Chelsea. He choses Chelsea over the people were wolves in sheep's clothing, and that's a satisfying arc to watch play out, especially for a recurring character. Appelman delivered truly memorable performances in both Chicago Med and one of Netflix's biggest shows!