Chicago Med Season 12: 4 Characters That Probably Won’t Be Back When NBC Medical Drama Returns This Fall

Dr Jennifer Kingston (Merrin Dungey) joined Chicago Med in Season 11 as a recurring physician who frequently worked with Dean Archer and Hannah Asher. Over the season, her professional connection with Dean turned into a brief romance, but the relationship ultimately served to highlight Dean’s growing feelings for Hannah. By the finale, Jennifer and Dean had gone their separate ways, while a major patient storyline related to her character had also come to an end. With her key story arcs seemingly wrapped up, the series could easily move forward without Jennifer, making her one of the characters who may not return for Season 12.

Ainsley Towne (Jessalyn Gilsig) is one of the characters least likely to return in Chicago Med Season 12. Introduced late in Season 10, she was revealed to have had an inappropriate romantic relationship with John Frost when he was still underage, making her a controversial figure in his past. After Frost confronted her, it seemed her story was over, but she briefly returned in Season 11. During that appearance, she unexpectedly showed up at a meeting related to the Nick of Time revival, prompting Frost to walk away from the project. With that storyline now resolved and Frost moving on, Ainsley’s role appears to be finished.

Dr. Theo Rabari (Manish Dayal) became an interesting addition when he joined the show in Season 11. He often challenged Dr. Daniel Charles with a contrasting approach to psychiatry. Their professional clashes ultimately helped them solve complex cases. But tensions rose when Theo attempted to take over Charles’ leadership role, creating a conflict within the department. The situation escalated when it was revealed that Theo had antisocial personality disorder, and news of his diagnosis reached hospital leadership. After failing to secure Charles’ position, Theo appeared to accept defeat and leave Gaffney. Before departing, he shared what felt like a final goodbye with Charles, suggesting his storyline may have come to an end.

Maggie Lockwood remains one of the characters fans would most like to see return in Season 12, but her comeback appears increasingly unlikely. After reports surfaced that Marlyne Barrett would leave before Season 11, there was hope she might return later in the season. That never happened, however, and Maggie was absent throughout the entire run. Early in Season 11, viewers learned that she had left Gaffney, but the show offered few details about her departure or where she went next. Aside from a handful of brief mentions, Maggie’s storyline received little closure, leaving open the possibility that her time on the series may be over.