After a decade on Chicago Med, Marlyne Barrett is stepping away from the hit NBC medical drama ahead of Season 11. The actress, who has portrayed beloved ED nurse Maggie Lockwood since the series premiere in 2015, will not return for the upcoming season due to personal reasons.
According to Deadline, Barrett’s departure is expected to be temporary, with plans for her to return in the future. “This is envisioned as a temporary leave, and the hope is for her to return at some point,” the report states.
Barrett’s exit marks a major change for the long-running series, as she was one of only three remaining original cast members, alongside S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin) and Oliver Platt (Dr. Daniel Charles), who both recently renewed their contracts.
In 2022, Barrett publicly revealed her battle with uterine and ovarian cancer, later announcing in September 2024 that she was in full remission. During her treatment, she praised the Chicago Med team for their unwavering support.
“I’m an extremely private person, but I felt a responsibility to tell my story,” Barrett said at the time. “When my character went through breast cancer, I had a sea of people reach out to me through social media. They brought me courage, and so I felt a sense of inevitability to meet their hearts where they met me.”
Fans can still catch Barrett’s iconic performances in Seasons 1–10 of Chicago Med, now streaming on Peacock. Season 11 premieres Wednesday, October 1, 2025 on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.
We’re sending our best wishes to Marlyne and hoping to see Maggie back in Gaffney Chicago Medical Center soon.
