There are many reasons why Chicago Med fans should be overjoyed about its upcoming season. Following the show's best season to date, many of the teases of what is to come during upcoming episodes are tantalizing for viewers who can't get enough of Chicago Med. For example, it has been revealed that several past characters will be returning, including Nick Gehlfuss, who will appear as Dr. Will Halstead.
Since there is so much great news about what is planned for Chicago Med's return, it is tempting to try to only focus on all the reasons to be excited. However, there is one aspect of the season that is so disappointing that it practically begs to be discussed. With that in mind, there is no denying that one thing that is known about Chicago Med season 11 is heartbreaking.
Marlyne Barrett's Chicago Med absence is heartbreaking
Since Chicago Med's first episode premiered, there have been three actors and their characters who've felt like the heart and soul of the show: Marlyne Barrett, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Oliver Platt. Since the trio stuck around for the show's first 10 seasons, it felt like they would all remain stalwarts of the series. Then, in August 2025, Variety reported that Marlyne was leaving the show for "personal reasons."
According to reports, there is still a possibility that Marlyne could rejoin Chicago Med's cast later during season 11. Until there is more news about whether the actor will appear during season 11 at all, fans won't be able to know for sure whether they should expect her to appear. No matter what happens next, however, her current departure from the series is deeply sad.
There are two reasons why I am sad to learn that Marlyne will be gone. The first reason is that I love Maggie as a character, and it will feel really wrong for her not to play a pivotal role in the show's ongoing storylines. Maggie has always felt like one of the two characters who have held the show's ER together, alongside Sharon Goodwin. For that reason, not having Maggie there to keep everyone in line will feel very weird. Maggie is also a loving character, so fans want to see her character find happiness onscreen, no matter what that means for her.
The second and more important reason why Marlyne's absence is heartbreaking is that it feels like her departure being explained by "personal reasons" implies something is wrong. The actor never needs to tell fans why she walked away, at least for now, and I'm not going to engage in any conjecture over the reasons for her departure. I just hope that Marlyne winds up being okay in the end, whether she returns to Chicago Med or not.
Chicago Med season 11 premieres Wednesday, October 1 at 8/7c on NBC.