As Chicago Med gears up for its highly anticipated 10th season, actress Marlyne Barrett is promising fans a fresh take on the hit medical drama. In an exclusive interview, Barrett, who plays fan-favorite nurse Maggie Lockwood, hinted that the upcoming season will offer a renewed energy and thrilling storylines unlike anything viewers have seen before.
“This season feels like a second coming for the show,” Barrett, 46, shared with PEOPLE. “It’s like a whole new Chicago Med.” The transformation, she revealed, is largely thanks to the arrival of new head writer Allen MacDonald, whom she called “the Christopher Nolan of medical television.”
Barrett is confident that season 10 will be the “most extraordinary” yet, particularly pointing to episode three as a standout. “I can’t wait for you guys to see episode three — although episode one is fantastic,” she teased. “It starts with a shipwreck, and the urgency, the ambulances, the state of emergency — it brings a pulse to the show that I haven’t felt in a long time.”
Barrett reflected on how the new season has injected fresh energy into the show’s longtime cast and crew. “By the time you get to episode three, you’re going to think, ‘This is a completely new show,’” she said. “I don’t even recognize it with all the changes.”
The actress described filming the upcoming season as an exhilarating experience, particularly as the storyline tapped into the vibrancy of the city. “Chicago felt alive, and it was extraordinary. Episode three is about femininity and courage, and the writing was just so bold and fearless.”
As Barrett wraps up filming for episode four and dives into the scripts for future episodes, she can’t wait to see how fans will react. “I truly believe One Chicago might just give Law & Order a run for its money,” she said with a laugh. “But it’s all in the same NBC family, so nobody be upset!”
The new season also brings some notable casting changes. In August, NBC confirmed that Sarah Ramos and Darren Barnet are joining the ensemble cast as series regulars. Ramos will play Dr. Caitlin Lenox, while Barnet steps in as Dr. John Frost.
These new faces arrive amid a significant shake-up for Chicago Med. In June, it was revealed that Dominic Rains, who portrayed Dr. Crockett Marcel for five seasons, would be leaving the show. Additionally, longtime co-showrunners Diane Frolov and Andy Schneider stepped down after nine years, making way for MacDonald to take the reins.
Despite the shifts, familiar faces like Jessy Schram, Steven Weber, and Luke Mitchell are slated to return, joining series regulars Nick Gehlfuss, Oliver Platt, and S. Epatha Merkerson.
The excitement around the 10th season has been palpable, and with fresh talent and bold new storylines, Chicago Med is poised to deliver its most thrilling chapter yet.
Related topics: