Dr. Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell) has become one of the most familiar faces on Chicago Med. True, he's been through quite a bit in season 10, but the character's inherent decency and his desire to change has made him extremely easy to root for.
The actor who plays Ripley may be relatively new to the One Chicago universe, but that doesn't mean he's unfamiliar with it. In fact, Luke Mitchell came up with a deep cut choice when asked which of the previous Med characters he'd like to see return to the show.
Who played Dr. Isidore Latham on Chicago Med?
The actor told CBR that he would push to bring Dr. Isidore Latham back to Gaffney Medical Center to spice things up. If the name doesn't immediately ring a bell, don't worry. Latham was never a central cast member, but rather a recurring presence during seasons 2-5.
Mitchell's reasoning? Well, the actor worked alongside the man who plays Dr. Latham, Ato Essandoh, and would love the chance to stage a reunion. "He's got a headshot on one of the sets," Mitchell said. "A framed headshot of his character -- and I've taken a selfie in front of it and sent it to him."
Mitchell and Essandoh worked together on the CBS military drama The Code in 2019. Not a show that has left a massive impression, but one that established a strong bond between the two men. It would undoubtedly carry over to Gaffney in a high stress medical environment.
Mitchell and Essandoh worked together in 2019
"I love Ato," Mitchell asserted. "I'd love for him to come back, but I think the guy is just, he's too good of an actor. He's always working. He's booked out." He's not wrong. In the last couple years, Essandoh has appeared in acclaimed TV shows like Let the Right One In (2022), Extrapolations (2023) and The Diplomat (2024-).
In addition to his memorable stint on Chicago Med, Essandoh has made one off appearances on shows set within the same universe, like Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. It's easier to find a notable procedural drama from the last two decades that he hasn't appeared in, frankly.
Mitchell may have time to speculate and theorize as to what fun Med scenarios would be, but his character, Ripley, has much more pressing matters on his mind. The character nearly died in the last episode, "Down In a Hole," and all signs point to him undergoing a lengthy recovery process before he can get back on his feet.