The Resident boss teases how major character will be replaced following exit

Photo credit: Walt Disney Company Ltd.
Photo credit: Walt Disney Company Ltd.

The Resident spoilers follow.

The Resident recently saw the departure of one of its major characters as surgeon Dr Mina Okafor returned to Nigeria.

Mina (played by Shaunette Renée Wilson) left a big gap in the hospital and there's been some talk about how Mina could be replaced.

Speaking to TVLine, The Resident's executive producer Andrew Chapman explained that there won't be a new character introduced as Mina's replacement. Two recent cast additions will instead have increased visibility on the show for the remainder of season four.

Billie (played by Jessica Lucas) and Leela (played by Anuja Joshi) will have more on-screen time and the show will explore their personal stories in greater detail.

Photo credit: Walt Disney Company Ltd.
Photo credit: Walt Disney Company Ltd.

Related: The Resident star confirms character's fate after latest episode's twist

Chapman said: "Because we knew Mina was leaving from early on, one of the things we did was look for people to bring into Chastain who are not replacements, but are additions to the cast who will be fun to watch and will… bring new elements into the show.

"We were handed lemons with [Wilson] leaving, but we looked to make lemonade."

Billie recently restarted her surgical career after a terrible mistake that took place years ago while Leela is a surgical intern. Chapman said that he and the other show writers find these characters "so fresh and so interesting".

Photo credit: Fox
Photo credit: Fox

Related: The Resident future confirmed after season 3 ends early

"[Billie’s] complicated backstory will get more complicated as the next couple of episodes unroll. We feel like that’s a star in the making and a really big addition to the show," Chapman explained.

The showrunner also said that Leela's character embodies the core idea of what the show is all about: "It’s about learning how to be a doctor, learning how the system can screw you up… And yet, as a character, she’s so stubborn and ambitious, and she will not be knocked down.

"[Both characters] are going to have big storylines going forward for the rest of the season. And, knock on wood, we get picked up for a fifth season, they will have big storylines in Season 5."

The Resident airs on Fox in the US, and on Sky Witness in the UK.


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