Nick Gehlfuss is set to return to Chicago Med for Season 11 in a guest-starring role, NBC confirmed. The actor, who portrayed Dr. Will Halstead for eight years before his 2023 departure, will once again step into the role that made him a fan favorite.
Viewers last saw Halstead in the Season 8 finale, when he relocated to Seattle and rekindled his relationship with Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto) and her son, Owen. DeVitto had exited the series two seasons earlier, but the reunion offered closure for fans invested in the long-running relationship between the two characters.
Speaking to Variety at the time of his departure, Gehlfuss reflected on the choice to leave the show after nearly a decade. “It was a difficult decision, but ultimately, I felt I’d taken Dr. Halstead as far as I can go with him,” he said. The actor added that his career thrives on variety and joked, “Eight years is a long time. It’s two college degrees! I’m joking now that I basically have a doctorate in television.”
Gehlfuss also noted how meaningful it was to share Halstead’s final moments with DeVitto onscreen. “We fell right back into our work rhythm as if we didn’t have any time off,” he explained. “Because this relationship has come full circle for Will and Natalie. I think Will was seeking elements of Natalie in every relationship that followed their breakup. He never really got over her.”
Allen Macdonald, who became showrunner in Season 10, previously hinted that returning characters could appear in upcoming episodes. “One thing I love about the One Chicago world is just because someone has exited the show, they’re still part of the world,” he told reporters.
Chicago Med Season 11 premieres October 1 on NBC.
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