Chicago Med star teases Ripley and Asher romance in S9 finale

Dr. Mitch Ripley has logged nearly an entire season on Chicago Med, and yet, the character's romantic intensions remains unclear. The character was initially posed as a replacement for Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss), and many assumed this would mean Ripley would pursue Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram).

The relationship between Ripley and Asher has been far more complicated than a straightforward romance, however. They've gotten to know each other better as co-workers, for one, and then there's been the addition of Dr. Margo Collins (Beth Lacke), who's diverted some of Ripley's attention away from Asher.

Ripley's past will be peeled back in Med's S9 finale

That's not even getting into the complicated friendship that Asher has with Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber)! It's a lot to consider, but fans wanting to see if Ripley and Asher are the real deal will be happy to know that they will be headed towards a more romantic arc in the season 9 finale. Luke Mitchell, the actor who plays Ripley, opened up about the future of the show to TV Line.

Mitchell revealed that pieces of his character's past will come to light in the last few episodes of the season, which will intrigue Asher and effectively bring them closer together. "Ripley’s pretty keen to keep a wall up between his past and his present," he noted. "But I think, ultimately, he realizes that if they’re going to take a step forward, he needs to open up to her, [be] vulnerable."

Ripley will force himself to be vulnerable with Asher

The actor went on to say that where things go between Ripley and Asher will ultimately depend on how the latter feels about Ripley's past. He doesn't tip his hand as to what gets revealed, but it must be something notable for it to potentially change the way Ripley is perceived:

"I think it’ll be interesting for the audience to see how Asher responds to that vulnerability."

Ripley and Asher might not solidify a romance in the season 9 finale, but it sounds as though the actors and the writers are taking their time to build out their emotional connection for whenever things do get romantic between them. We're happy to be along for the ride.