Chicago Med EPs Explain [Spoiler]’s Unexpected Exit in Season 8 Premiere
Warning: The following contains spoilers from Wednesday’s Chicago Med premiere. Proceed at your own risk!
Another doc is checking out of Chicago Med: Guy Lockard, who plays ED pediatrician Dr. Dylan Scott, exited the NBC drama in Wednesday’s Season 8 premiere, TVLine has learned. The actor joined the series in last season’s opener, helping to fill the void left by the departures of longtime cast members Torrey DeVitto and Yaya DaCosta.
In this week’s episode, Dylan decided to leave the hospital after Milena died and he realized that he could never truly escape his police past if he stayed in the Windy City. “He was a former cop and that dynamic and his being caught between those two worlds is what was so interesting in his character,” executive producer Andrew Schneider tells TVLine, “but we felt we really played that out with a number of storylines, and finally with the death of the woman he loved, we felt this would be a good time for him to move on.”
Schneider says that the writers wanted to “really make his exit meaningful. That he didn’t just disappear, but it was really grounded in the story of the first episode,” the EP shares.
And as is often the case with Med goodbyes, Dylan is “moving on but not necessarily out,” EP Diane Frolov notes. So consider the door open for a return appearance. “He’s a wonderful actor. He was great to work with, and we would welcome him back in the future,” Schneider adds. (On that note, get scoop on the episode’s big surprise return here.)
Lockard is the second of last season’s new series regulars to depart the show: Kristen Hager, who played Dr. Stevie Hammer, exited the drama in the middle of Season 7.
Speaking about what lessons they’ve taken away from those characters’ arcs and what works for the series and what doesn’t, Frolov says, “The show always has to replenish itself, and it has to be new. Our main characters need people to play off of and to develop their characters.”
“Going into Season 8, we are always looking for new dynamics between the characters,” Schneider elaborates. “It’s actually very helpful to bring new people in who have a different backstory, different emotional issues. It gives more room to play, to open up fresh ideas.”
Chicago Med fans, what did you think of Dylan’s goodbye? Hit the comments with your thoughts!
Almost too many moving parts for the season premier. I really like Dylan’s character and the ability to merge the law enforcement side with the medical side. Hope he wanted to leave instead of being booted off.
I was thrilled that april showed up and I read on another site that we will be seeing more of her. i’m sad that Dylan is leaving though. But I did get tired of him always being drawn back to his police work. I’ll miss him, because he was a wonderful pediatrician and I loved most his scenes with kids. Welcome back, april Sexton! woo hoo.
I hated to see Dylan leave, he will be greatly missed.
You should have kept Dr. Scott. He was exciting. Bring him back. You can use him wanting to stay near his dad as an excuse.
I dont know why but I kind of get the feeling we will see him resurface on the 10:00 Chicago hour towards May
Why do you think that? He said he was leaving Chicago because of his past as a cop. He wants to go somewhere he can JUST be a doctor.
I will miss his character.
I think it’s past time for Dr.Charles to retire. He could be replaced by his former protege Dr. Sarah Reese, who was as nutty as some of her patients. Imagine the storyline possibilities!
Didn’t Sarah Reese go Coo Coo?
No, she just couldn’t work with Dr Charles any more because he hesitated in providing medical care to her father.
Oh, now I remember. It wasn’t that, it was because she started to get all wigged out about her safety and pepper sprayed a patient! That lead to her getting suspended until further notice. Her character is actually still open.
No, Kalli is right. She couldn’t work with Dr. Charles after he had a hard time working with her dad (who turned out to be a rapist/killer).
Okay, okay, y’all are right! He was a serial killer, and Dr. Charles didn’t save him from his heart attack. I forgot all about him!
Really bad idea to get rid of Dr. Scott — he was a much needed likable character played by a great actor.
I will miss Dylan… I’m truly sad that April is back I can’t stand the actress or the part that she plays I usually fast forward whenever she’s on her voice grates on me.. of the three Chicago’s this is definitely the bottom of my list
Ditto I also hated her interaction with the doctors. She was a real know it all. I’ll FF through her again.
I agree, I did not like the April character!
A woman he loved? The writers are definitely giving “we want you to believe w/women are so important😅” Geez, can we have storylines that show every woman can feel like they’re important to any man?ðŸ˜
I am really disappointed they are losing Dr. Scott. He was the epitome of what a doctor should be, especially in a city like Chicago. He was a role model for African-American youths to watch & emulate. I think they’re making a very big mistake.
I agree. I really liked his character. So sick of Halstead and his 2nd guessing everyone’s decisions. BooHoo poor Will. Blah! Dr. Scott was much more interesting. Getting tired of Maggie’s hangdog expressions too! She needs to go back to being that strong character she was.
I agree with you on all of this ! Will gets on my nerves…..he should be gone or grow up. Love Dr. Scott and hopefully he will be back from time to time.
Dr. Charles is getting nuttier than his patients ,he has issues,
he needs to solve them or retire.
OMG so true. I was thinking are they prepping us for Dr. Charles to have dementia?!
I like DR. Charles BUT (& this is a huge but), I would be hesitant to see a psychiatrist that NEEDS a therapist.
I too wish that Halstead would disappear. He is such a conniving useless doctor that makes me want to turn the show off…..
She just announced that she’s suffering from ovarian and uterine cancer.
Maggie has been going through cancer treatments this past year, and now in real life her performer has it as well, so I doubt that’ll change much in the next season.
Good luck and speedy recovery to both actor and acted.
Why not get rid of Halstead? He’s never been more than a mediocre actor, and his character is too moody and weak.
Careful now, Dianne… you’re making too much sense!
I think it should be a ending season when it’s found out that,,April and Ethan has a child that he didn’t know about,,I really love their relationship and they should get back together..
Sad to see Dylan go. His perspective will be missed.
Dr Scott & Dr Stevie were great additions to the show. Hope they come back and stay longer. It is a good idea to have revolving doctors to add freshness & sparks into this show. Do love Crocket, Ethan, Maggie & Dr Charles.
Damn he’d become my favorite…
I will miss him. He was a fav of mine since he joined.
I saw they brought back April (here’s hoping it was a one-off), never liked her character.
Love to see that Yaya is back playing April and I hope her role will continue!
Dylan should join Chicago PD.
Why would he do that? Did you not watch the episode where he said he has to LEAVE Chicago to get AWAY FROM HIS COP BACKGROUND & JUST BE A DOCTOR?
Guy Lockhard was a great central character in Chicago Med, His “removal” is unconscionable. Fie on the show’s management,