Everything to Know About 'Chicago Med' Season 9

For months, Chicago Med fans were left hanging to see what was next for the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center emergency department after a Season 8 full of change. Series original Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee) left to start a mobile clinic with his new wife, Dr. April Sexton (Yaya DaCosta). Plus, Dr. Dylan Scott (Guy Lockard), Dr. Pamela Blake (Sarah Rafferty) and Dr. Vanessa Taylor (Asjha Cooper) also departed. 

And that was before the last season finale, which saw another long-time character leave (more on that soon).

The good news is that Chicago Med has returned for its ninth season. Here's everything you need to know, including the latest on the cast. 

Is there a Season 9 of Chicago Med?

Yes. The season was slated to premiere in the fall of 2023, but due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which lasted for more than five months collectively, NBC had to delay the premiere of Chicago Med until 2024. The show is now airing. 

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What was the Chicago Med Season 9 release date?

Chicago Med returned on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. 

What happened at the end of Chicago Med Season 8?

The Season 8 finale saw original cast member Nick Gehlfuss, who played Dr. Will Halstead, depart. Fans mourned, but Gelfuss believes it was the right call for him.

“It was a difficult decision, but ultimately, I felt I’d taken Dr. Halstead as far as I can go with him," said Gehlfuss, who had been with the show since the first season, in an interview with Variety. "I think that comes down to a creative part of you, or the energy or spirit you have that you’re either built for a very long time with one person or not. I am attracted to the profession for the variety in it, and eight years is a long time. It’s two college degrees. I’m joking now that I basically have a doctorate in television.”

Gehlfuss's character rode off into the sunset in sentimental fashion, getting an emotion-filled goodbye from his colleagues before reuniting with his former fiancé, Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto), at the airport.

Dr. Halstead left because he was tired of the profit-focused management under Jack Dayton (Sasha Roiz), which led him to tamper with Dayton's O.R. 2.0, so it messed up during a public demonstration, hurting Dayton's wallet. During the finale, Dayton told Dr. Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), another one of his adversaries, that he was planning to sell the hospital. 

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Who is cast in Chicago Med Season 9?

S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin

The hospital's chief administrator valiantly fought Dayton, who was attempting to turn Gaffney Chicago Medical Center into a for-profit medical center. Whether she's successful remains TBD, but the one-time OR nurse did get word from Dayton in the finale that a malfunction of O.R. 2.0 had financially wrecked him during an IPO presentation.

Related: S. Epatha Merkerson on ‘Chicago Med’ Taking a Page from ‘Golden Bachelor’ with a Senior Romance

Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood

The ED charge nurse who tells it like it is has been with Chicago Med since Season 1. In 2022, Barrett signed a multi-year deal to remain on the show, according to Deadline.

Oliver Platt as Dr. Daniel Charles

Known for his ability to help the team navigate occupational challenges, Dr. Daniel Charles (Platt) has been part of Chicago Med since Season 1. Platt has also assumed the role in a few episodes of Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. 

Dominic Rains as Dr. Crockett Marcel

Dr. Marcel wasn't a fan of Dayton's O.R. 2.0 contraption either and protested its use during a routine hernia surgery in the series finale (which went well, unlike the IPO presentation). 

Steven Weber as Dr. Dean Archer

Season 8 was difficult for Dr. Dean Archer, who has end-stage renal disease. His son, Sean, was supposed to donate a kidney to him, but that plan was thwarted when Sean relapsed. Despite the grim outlook, Weber has been back for Season 9. At least for now!

Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher

Dr. Asher is a seasoned physician who is in recovery from substance abuse. She joined the team during the fifth season.

Sasha Roiz as Jack Dayton

Dayton revealed plans to sell the hospital during the Season 8 finale of Chicago Med.

Who is leaving Chicago Med after Season 8?

A few cast-members won't be returning for Season 9 of Chicago Med:

Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead

Gehlfuss moved on, feeling that he did everything he could with his character, Dr. Halstead. 

Brian Tee as Dr. Ethan Choi

Tee's character left the team after marrying Dr. Sexton (DaCosta) and deciding to start a mobile clinic with her. 

Related: 'Chicago Med's Brian Tee on Teaming Up With Nicole Kidman in Hong Kong for 'Expats'

Yaya DaCosta as Dr. April Sexton 

DaCosta's Dr. Sexton also left to start a mobile clinic. 

Guy Lockard as Dr. Dylan Scott

Lockard left his post as Dr. Scott during the Season 8 premiere. His character departed Chicago to escape his police past, and he's not slated to return. 

Sarah Rafferty (Dr. Pamela Blake) and Asjha Cooper (Dr. Vanessa Taylor) also left in Season 8 and are unlikely to return.

Who is joining the Chicago Med cast in Season 9?

Luke Mitchell as Dr. Mitch Ripley

The loss of Dr. Halstead meant that a new doctor had to be added to the ED and he’s a potential romantic partner for Hannah.

Sophia Ali as Dr. Zola Ahmad

Dr. Zola Ahmad made her debut in Season 9, Episode 2. As NBC put it, "her appearance won't be all sunshine and rainbows for the rest of the ED crew." 

“She’s someone who will cause a lot of headaches for the Chief of the ED, Archer,” showrunner Andrew Schneider told TV Insider. “She will overstep. She’s impulsive.”

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Who does Will Halstead end up with?

Dr. Halstead exited the One Chicago team by reuniting with ex-fiancé Dr. Manning (DeVitto) and her son, Owen, at the airport. The implication is the on-again, off-again pair is back on as Dr. Halstead turns the page.

How to watch Chicago Med Season 9

You can watch Chicago Med on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and stream episodes the next day on Peacock. 

Chicago Med Season 9 episode guide

Chicago Med Season 9, Episode 1 — “Row Row Row Your Boat on a Rocky Sea”

Logline: "When the E.D. is flooded with patients from a crash, the entire team is pulled in to help. Charles can't shake the feeling that he knows the new E.D. attending. Archer has second thoughts on the eve of his kidney transplant."

Chicago Med Season 9, Episode 2 — “This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us”

Logline: "A woman from Archer's past returns and threatens his transplant surgery; Marcel clashes with Med's eager first-year resident; Charles works to repair his relationship with Ripley." 

Chicago Med Season 9, Episode 3 — "What Happens in the Dark Always Comes to Light"

Logline: "Frustrated with an insurance company, Ahmad takes matters into her own hands, jeopardizing Med's negotiations and Marcel's first day on the board; Charles helps a woman's depressed husband; Asher's first date takes a surprising turn."

Chicago Med Season 9, Episode 4 — "These Are Not the Droids You Are Looking For"

Logline: "Goodwin is worried after an accident lands two people close to her in the E.D.; Archer returns to Med and treats a man concerned about a family curse; Maggie and Ahmad help a patient on a cross-country road trip."

Chicago Med Season 9, Episode 5 — "I Make a Promise, I Will Never Leave You"

Logline: "Goodwin recruits Charles to evaluate her ex-husband's memory; Archer treats one of Sean's peers from the rehab center; Asher treats a woman from a rural clinic whose miscarriage was improperly treated."

Chicago Med Season 9, Episode 6 — "I Told Myself That I Was Done With You"

Logline: "Maggie empathizes with a patient whose mother is afraid to consent to her son's risky surgery."