When Chicago Med returns for its eleventh season this fall, it will be missing one of its original faces. Marlyne Barrett, who has played ER charge nurse Maggie Lockwood since the series’ 2015 debut, is stepping away from the show for personal reasons. According to Deadline, the leave is expected to be temporary, with hopes that Barrett will return in the future.
This makes Barrett the latest Chicago Med original to take a step back. As previously reported, S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin) and Oliver Platt (Dr. Daniel Charles) will both be back this season after their contracts were picked up, while former series regular Nick Gehlfuss (Dr. Will Halstead) is set to return as a guest star.
Maggie’s Legacy on Chicago Med
Across ten seasons, Barrett’s Maggie Lockwood has become the heart and conscience of Gaffney Medical’s ED. Fierce, loyal, and deeply committed to her patients and colleagues, Maggie has anchored the show’s emotional core. Her Season 10 arc placed her at the center of the hospital’s tense nursing union negotiations, which escalated to a sick-out.
Maggie’s journey has also reflected Barrett’s real life. In Season 5, Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer—a storyline that paralleled Barrett’s own battle with uterine and ovarian cancer, which she revealed in 2022. After undergoing 30 rounds of chemotherapy and multiple procedures, Barrett announced she was in complete remission in July 2024.
The actress has credited counseling, self-care, and the support of loved ones with helping her navigate recovery. She described her work on Chicago Med during this time as “life-giving,” providing her with purpose and stability amid treatment.
What’s Next
Though Barrett is temporarily stepping away, her impact on the series remains undeniable. Chicago Med Season 11 premieres Tuesday, October 1 at 8 p.m. on NBC, kicking off a new season of the One Chicago franchise.