Since Chicago Med is a medical show, new characters come and go constantly, since there are always more patients who need treatment. On top of the patients, the show has regularly introduced more supporting characters throughout its history. While one underrated Chicago Med supporting character has stuck around for years, most of them are only a part of the show briefly before they leave, often forever.
One of those supporting characters who seems like they are gone was so frustrating that I hope to never see them on the show again. On the other hand, some Chicago Med supporting characters were compelling enough that I have missed them. In fact, there is one Chicago Med supporting character who disappeared that I think should be brought back as soon as possible.
Why Nurse Jackie Nelson needs to return to Chicago Med in a major role
During the ninth and tenth seasons of Chicago Med, Natalie Zea portrayed Nurse Jackie Nelson in 8 episodes of the medical drama. During her relatively short time on the show, viewers saw Jackie go through an incredible amount of turmoil. Then, after her potential romance with Dr. Daniel Charles seemingly fizzled out, the character walked out of his office and hasn't been seen on the show since.
To be clear, I didn't love all of Jackie's storylines. In fact, I found her fledgling romance with Dr. Charles to be troubling due to factors like their age differences and the fact that he lied for her in court. Still, there are two important reasons why I want Jackie to return to Chicago Med in a pivotal role, and potentially even join the show's main cast.
First off, I think that Jackie is an extremely compelling character. Thanks to Zea's fantastic performance as Jackie, the character managed to come across as caring and nurturing at the same time that she seemed to be world-weary and extremely wise. That meant that Jackie being part of a scene made those sequences feel more important and impactful.
Secondly, Nurse Jackie making a comeback could help flesh out the show's nursing staff, and I think that is important for the show to do. When it was announced that Marlyne Barrett wouldn't be part of Chicago Med's season 11 cast, at least temporarily, that was a huge and heartbreaking blow to the show.
Since Barrett is a great actor who made Maggie Lockwood one of Chicago Med's best characters by far, bringing Jackie back wouldn't even start to fill the hole she has left behind. Still, since saying that nurses play an integral role in an emergency room doesn't go far enough, they need to have a substantial Chicago Med presence. Bringing Jackie back to the show would help ensure that.