When Chicago Med Season 9 premieres, Gaffney Chicago Medical Center will look very different. The NBC medical drama is returning without original cast members Brian Tee and Nick Gehlfuss—both of whom exited last season—and introducing a new series regular to fill the void. Showrunners Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider spoke about what it’s been like to move the series forward both on and off-camera, as well as the one quirky hurdle they have going into Season 9.
The season begins with a six-month jump forward in time. “We didn’t think it was realistic to jump back to the next day or the next week after such a long [hiatus],” Andrew explained, as the entertainment industry strikes pushed the start of Season 9 from September 2023 to January 2024. As a result, “Some of those things that we were exploring last year have been resolved,” Diane continued. “Some haven’t; some have moved on to a different level.
“But it’s just very exciting to be back with everybody,” she added. “Of course we miss those actors [Tee and Gehlfuss]. But we have new actors, and it’s really great to be back with everyone.”
“It’s a challenge,” agreed Schneider, “but inspiring.”
One of the new actors they’re referring to is Luke Mitchell, who joins the main cast as Dr. Mitch Ripley. Mitchell will be recognizable to NBC viewers from his role in the network’s action drama Blindspot; he starred for two seasons and recurred in two more as Roman Briggs. He also led CBS’ legal drama The Code opposite Chicago Med alum Ato Essandoh. Mitchell is a very strong performer looking for a breakout role, and Ripley has the potential to be that part.
“He’s a wonderful actor,” enthused Schneider. “His character has a lot of interaction with Dr. Charles, and he’s an actor that is able to stand up to [Oliver Platt[ and go toe-to-toe with him. It’s very exciting to watch their scenes.”
“He’s such a pro, too,” added Frolov. “Our actors have to come on and be medically trained; they have to know how to stitch and put gloves on and all of those things. He took right to it. He didn’t have very much time, either!”
Ripley isn’t the first person to enter the Emergency Department having a past with an existing lead; most notably, current ED chief Dr. Dean Archer was introduced as a former Navy colleague of Dr. Ethan Choi’s. Why introduce another pre-existing link between characters? “It creates immediate potential for conflict,” said Schneider, as Frolov elaborated, “There’s an emotional bond between the characters, even if it’s one of conflict.”
Ripley will also have some screen time with Dr. Hannah Asher, who’s spent much of her renewed tenure on Chicago Med growing closer to Archer. Their storyline will be a further part of Season 9, particularly in the first episode. “Hannah has continued to help Archer through the process of dialysis and his kidney problems,” Frolov teased. “We’re at the part now where he can get a kidney transplant, so in the premiere, you really see a lot of interaction between those two.
Speaking of the Asher and Archer dynamic, “It was a little bit of a surprise,” she said. “They’re both so good, and they’re so good together. Then as writers, we think well, let’s do a little more. Let’s do a little more.”
“What’s interesting is to create a close friendship out of a difficult relationship,” Schneider reflected. “To see the progression of [Archer and Asher’s] relationship from animosity and hostility to one of really sublime respect.”
The progression of Chicago Med into nine seasons and over 150 episodes has also resulted in a particularly fun wrinkle for Schneider, Frolov and their writing staff. Fans may have noticed that the episode titles have the same number of words as the season they’re in—so for Season 9, that means nine-word titles. The premiere is entitled “Row Row Row Your Boat on a Rocky Sea.” How difficult has it been to come up with titles that long?
“It is a little daunting!” Frolov laughed. “They actually limit the number of characters we can use. We can only do 40 characters, so they’re going to be nine short words… We’re always counting on our fingers, the number of words in the title.”
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on NBC.
