'Chicago Med' Season 6 Premiere Preview: Expect emotional moments as central character recovers from Covid-19
This Wednesday, all three shows of NBC's 'Chicago' franchise return after a long break. The previous seasons of all three shows were delayed because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic — the delayed start to the 'Chicago' franchise is also attributed to the same, as is the shortened seasons this time around.
Nevertheless, while all three shows have a safe future as they were renewed for three seasons each earlier this year, anticipation is high with respect to how these shows will tackle everything that has gone on this year.
'Chicago' Wednesdays will open with 'Chicago Med' and like the other medical shows on television now, such as 'The Good Doctor' and 'Grey's Anatomy', it will be focusing on the coronavirus pandemic which took the world by storm earlier this year. The pandemic has so far claimed more than 200,000 lives in the United States alone and while news reports indicate that a vaccine could be on the way, what we have now can be considered to be the new normal.
So, how will 'Chicago Med' handle the pandemic? Of all medical dramas that are currently running, 'Chicago Med' is usually considered to be among the more accurate and grittier side. Relationship drama aside, 'Chicago Med' is excellent at covering medical cases and it has some great characters that take those stories forward.
The focus this time around will on Dr Ethan Choi (Brian Tee). Last season, Ethan's storyline was completely occupied with his relationship with nurse April Sexton (Yaya DaCosta). This time, the writers have a chance to redeem that. Ethan Choi is the resident infectious diseases expert and as one of the senior nurses, April and Ethan will be heading the Covid-19 response unit at the hospital.
While this gives a chance for them to repair their relationship, we are anticipating how they take on the burden that the pandemic has placed on healthcare workers. We also know that one of the central characters will have been diagnosed with the virus prior to the events of the Season 6 premiere episode.
Showrunner Diane Frolov told One Chicago Center, "Given that so many health care workers have become infected, we thought it necessary for one of our own to have contracted the disease. The character is nearing the end of recovery as the season begins, but the emotional fallout is ongoing. And we may find some unexpected post-Covid symptoms."
Meanwhile, Dr Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) will have professional development of his own. He will be working on a clinical trial with new recurring character, Dr. Sabeena Virani (Tehmina Sunny). Will is currently in a relationship with recovering addict, Dr Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram), but the couple will go through a surprise in the first episode. The showrunners also told One Chicago Center that there is a "possibility of a new and deep personal relationship" for Will.
What does that mean for Will's ex-fiancee, Dr Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto)? As we saw in the previous season, Natalie was growing closer to the new doctor, Dr. Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains), after initially being cold to him because of his arrogant attitude. She learned that he lost a daughter to cancer and it looks like she may soften to him because of it. It quite looks like Natalie and Crockett may be the relationship to look out for in the new season.
'Chicago Med' Season 6 premieres on NBC on Wednesday, November 11, at 8/7c.