Chicago Med brought its sixth season to an end with an episode that saw original cast members Yaya DaCosta and Torrey DeVitto saying a final farewell to their friends and colleagues at the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.
The two stars are leaving the NBC show after 120 episodes, and here's what happened behind the scenes.
The Chicago Med exits are at the end of the sixth season, and six years is the traditional length of a network TV contract. DaCosta, who plays April Sexton, decided not to renew her contract.
Leaving Chicago Med freed her up for a new, bigger role. In the fall, the actor will lead Our Kind of People, a Fox series in which she plays a Black hair-care mogul. In the cast, she will be joined by Morris Chestnut, who left his medical drama role on The Resident to be the male lead on the new show.
Deadline reported that DaCosta was quickly offered her new role after she decided to leave Chicago Med.
Writing on Instagram, DaCosta said of her departure: "After six amazing seasons of working with some of the most dedicated people in the business, learning wild medical jargon, growing as an actor and as a person... my time as April Sexton on Chicago Med has come to a close.
"I am so grateful to Dick Wolf, Peter Jankowski, show runners Andy Schneider and Diane Frolov, our producers (and stellar directors) Michael Waxman and Michael Pressman, and the entire Wolf Entertainment team for believing in me from the show's very inception, and for giving April wings to explore such dynamic storylines. The cast and crew were so good to me and the background actors gave me so much energy and love, even in silence."
Why is Torrey DeVitto leaving Chicago Med?
News that DeVitto, who plays Natalie Manning, was exiting the show was revealed just a few weeks ago. Her contract has also come to an end.
At the time, DeVitto wrote an Instagram message reading: "Well, looks like the cat is out of the bag...All good things must come to an end.
"It has been such an honor and pure joy to bring Dr. Natalie Manning to life for all of you on Chicago Med for the past 6 seasons. But it is now time for her and me to bow out and say goodbye.
"Thank you to all you loyal watchers who adored her as much as I did. I can't wait to share what's to come with all of you. New adventures await! With love and gratitude,
Torrey."
DeVitto's next appearance will be in indie movie Skelly. Filming began on the movie in Massachusetts earlier in the month.
A statement from the film's production company read: "Torrey embodies the warmth and encouragement of a Mom supporting her son and his friends and brings a world class talent to what we expect to be an inviting and fun film for Halloween this year."
While DeVitto and DaCosta are out at Chicago Med, other cast members are expected to return. As of mid-May, S. Epatha Merkerson had signed a new deal to return as Sharon Goodwin. Nick Gehlfuss, Brian Tee, Marlyne Barrett and Oliver Platt are also expected to be back when Season 7 comes to NBC in the fall.
All previous episodes of Chicago Med are streaming for free on Peacock.
