‘Chicago Med’ returns after last season’s cliffhanger finale

By Francis Babin TV Media

It can’t be easy working in the health-care field. Between the long shifts, medical emergencies, strange characters, innovative treatments and life-saving procedures, it’s easy to see why television audiences are captivated by these courageous professionals.

The first televised medical drama, “City Hospital,” aired nearly 70 years ago and ran from 1951 to 1953. Since then, there has been a steady stream of medical dramas on the air, and among them is “Chicago Med,” which debuts its third season Tuesday, Nov. 21, on NBC.

“Chicago Med” officially launched in the fall of 2015, but that wasn’t our first exposure to the brave and dedicated souls of the emergency department. The staff of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center were first seen in “Chicago Fire’s” third season episode “I Am the Apocalypse.”

“Chicago Med” is the third series in the Chicago franchise. The show follows “Chicago Fire,” now in its sixth season, and “Chicago P.D.,” currently in its fifth. Like its fellow stablemates, “Chicago Med” deals with those who work tirelessly to protect and save the citizens of their great city. The series offers viewers a glimpse into the chaotic lives of the doctors, nurses and staff members of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.

“Chicago Med” was created by Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf (the man behind the Law & Order franchise) and Matt Olmstead (who used to write for “NYPD Blue”), in response to their other extremely popular Chicago shows. During a news conference at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios with mayor Rahm Emanuel, Wolf explained to a crowd of eager reporters why he chose the Second City for a setting, explaining that “[it’s] a cleaner, politer New York with slightly heavier people.” He continued by saying, “it’s believable in Chicago more than the strips on the coast. This is literally the heart of the country.”

Dawning the scrubs once again this season is the always reliable Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss, “Shameless”). After abandoning the plastic surgery profession in New York City, the Ivy Leaguetrained surgeon returned to his Windy City roots to serve as the emergency department’s attending physician. By his side is Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto, “Pretty Little Liars”), a widowed mother and former Seattle-based pediatrician who’s a fellow at the medical center.

Joining them is “Arrow’s” Colin Donnell as rising star Dr. Connor

Rhodes, a brilliant surgery fellow currently transitioning into the world of cardiothoracic surgery, and who is trained to handle anything and everything that comes through the hospital’s doors. Lt.Cmdr. Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” 2016) brings his battlefield experience and expertise in the field of infectious diseases to the chaotic and always busy emergency department after serving aboard the USS Carl Vinson. The doctors are assisted by April Sexton (Yaya DaCosta, “Whitney,” 2015), a nurse whose brother is also a student at the hospital.

Rounding out the emergency department is Rachel DiPillo (“Jane the Virgin”) as Dr. Sarah Reese, a medical student, psychiatry resident and Dr. Daniel Charles’ (Oliver Platt, “The West Wing”) protege. The committed nurses and doctors work under the watchful eye of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center’s chief administrator Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law & Order”), who ensures everything runs smoothly.

Season 3 picks up immediately after last season’s cliffhanger finale, which saw the chief of the psychiatry department, Dr. Charles, get shot by an enraged psychiatric patient after leaving the hospital. His epidemiologist daughter, Dr.

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Robin Charles (Mekia Cox, “Once Upon a Time”), has her own recovery to go through following a major operation removing a psychosis-inducing brain tumor.

On the romantic front, the new season promises to address the kiss between Dr. Choi and nurse April, and the return of former marine and “Chicago Fire’s” Firehouse 25 firefighter Jeff Clarke (Jeff Hephner) is likely to cause issues with Dr. Halstead and Dr. Manning’s longteased relationship.

Screen legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” 1971) is set to join the third season as Dr. Jaffrey, a distinguished, world-renowned heart surgeon and Dr. Bekker’s (Norma Kuhling, “Fallen,” 2016) mentor. His presence is sure to intensify her and Dr. Rhodes’ professional rivalry. Roland Buck III, star of National Geographic’s upcoming series “The Long Road Home,” reprises his recurring role as Noah Sexton, a medical student and April’s younger brother.

“Chicago Med” continues Wolf’s fruitful relationship with the peacock network. The prolific producer has worked with NBC for more than 30 years, starting with production and writing duties on “Hill Street Blues” and “Miami Vice.” After creating the original “Law & Order” in 1990, he went on to produce and create four spinoffs and a true crime anthology series, in addition to many other ensemble dramas.

“Chicago Med” returns to its original Tuesday night slot with hopes of continuing the trend of great, long-running Chicago-based medical dramas, following in the footsteps of “Chicago Hope” and “ER.” Catch the season 3 premiere of “Chicago Med” when it airs Tuesday, Nov. 21, on NBC.

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