Chicago Med actor clears up coincidence after deciding to leave series

Chicago Med has lost another original cast members after eight years.

On Wednesday (24 May), the series aired its season eight finale, which featured several surprises for fans.

The Chicago Fire spin-off’s finale, titled “Does One Door Close and Another One Open?”, welcomed back cast member Torrey DeVitto, who plays Natalie Manning. The character returned to reunite with Nick Gehlfuss’ lead character Dr Will Halstead, who has officially resigned from Chicago Med.

Coincidentally, his departure came soon after Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Will’s brother Detective Jay Halstead, decided to leave Chicago PD.

Speaking about his decision to leave producer Dick Wolf’s One Chicago TV universe, Gehlfuss told Deadline: “It was a difficult decision but I felt I had taken Dr. Halston as far as I could take him.”

Gehlfuss acknowledged that the series “changed my life”, but said: “An actor is attracted to the profession for variety and I suppose it was time for me to try something different.”

He also said that he had no idea about Soffer’s decision to leave Chicago PD when he made his own choice to leave Chicago Med, stating: “No, I had not talked to Jesse about this before. These decisions were completely independent of one another. There was no planning of this happening in the way it did.”

Reflecting on his reunion with former co-star DeVitto, Gehlfuss added: “It was a beautiful moment at the end of the episode that I hope bring some closure to the fans.”

Addressing the show’s fans directly, Gehlfuss, who is not on social media, said: “Look, it’s no secret that without you we wouldn’t have jobs. One of the most important things we can give to one another is our time. Thank you all for your time and your support.

“I’ve been so flattered by the number of people that have come up to me to say something positive about One Chicago and my work. That is the best confirmation of the contract between the audience and the storyteller. While Will Halstead is leaving, One Chicago is not. Enjoy the seasons to come.”