Chicago Med is saying goodbye (for now?) to Maggie Lockwood.
Earlier this summer, it was revealed that original star Marlyne Barrett, who has played the ED Charge Nurse since the show’s 2015 premiere, would be stepping away from the series for “personal reasons.” (The leave was described as “temporary.”)
Now, we know how the NBC drama dealt with her character’s exit from the upcoming season.
Keep reading to find out more…
Right now, Marlyne does not appear in Season 11, but the showrunner is still hopeful she may in later episodes.
Showrunner Allen MacDonald spoke to Deadline after the premiere Wednesday night (October 1) about her exit.
“We hope to see her at some point this season, but that remains uncertain at the moment. When Marlyne told us she wanted to step away, we, of course, respected that. She had to do so for personal reasons,” he said.
“Right now, there are references to her not being there. I think this will probably be a little frustrating for the audience, but whatever story we do with her, we will want to save for and when she comes back. So at least in the short term, we’re saying that Maggie has temporarily stepped away.”
The character is only mentioned in the premiere episode in passing, including scenes when Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) and Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) talking about a window replacement that is causing the treatment room to be unavailable for use at the moment.
“Have you talked to Maggie since she left?” Dr. Charles asks, to which she replies: “Not a peep.”
She’s also mentioned in a conversation between Goodwin and Doris (Lorena Diaz).
“You know, Maggie has some big shoes to fill, and she’d be proud of you,” Goodwin says, to which Doris responds: “Just keeping them warm until she comes back.”
We’re hopeful she’ll be back soon! Find out who else returned in Season 11 of the hit series.
Source: justjared.com