Chicago Med is one of those binge-worthy series which has action in every episode and comes with a set of characters whose lives are filled with tension and drama. Viewers can relate to the characters, who juggle personal and professional issues and who are imperfect in their attempts to master an imperfect world.
Still, their hearts are in the right place, and there is more healing and restoration happening at the Chicago Medical Center where the drama takes place than brokenness. It is a skit on life and all the triumph and heartbreak which it involves. Here are just 10 interesting facts about the main characters of Chicago Med which even faithful followers of the series might not know.
From Lilly To Natalie
Dr. Natalie Manning didn't start off as a Natalie; the character was initially intended to be called Lilly. In the early promotional pictures of the show, the name 'Lilly' can be clearly seen on her lab coat. Her name was changed to Natalie before the initial episode.
Why the narrators made the decision to change her name remains unsaid, but viewers have come to love her as Natalie—the rest, you could say, is history.
An Unlikely Entry Point
Will Halstead started his career as a medical professional in the field of plastic surgery. With his good looks, it's easy to imagine him making others more beautiful. From this entry point into the profession, he then went on to study emergency medicine through the Gaffney Medical Center.
Everyone has to start somewhere! Interestingly, his father never wanted him to study at all after school and wanted him to start working straight away. One has to take their hat off to Will who worked his way to where he is in his chosen profession.
Brothers In Community Care
Will Halstead is, in fact, the brother of Jay Halstead, of Chicago PD fame. The two series interlink in more ways than one. It would seem the brothers haven't always seen eye to eye, especially after their mom's death. However, when their father is in an unexpected accident, they unite over his hospital bed, making a joined decision to turn the machine off.
Colleagues With A Past
Viewers of Chicago Med might not know that April Sexton and Kelly Severide of Chicago Fire were childhood friends. When Kelly heard April was working for Chicago Med, he immediately requested to see her. He persistently pursued her thereafter, and the pair subsequently had a brief relationship with each other. According to the show's narrative, April's family took care of Kelly before they came together again as colleagues.
Depression Holds Dr. Daniel Charles
Dr. Daniel Charles, who is Chief of Psychiatry of the Chicago Medical Center, is extensively involved with victims of trauma related to medical and emergency ordeals. He is on the scene, rolling up his sleeves and giving his utmost for the job. He also supports his co-workers with personal struggles. Viewers might be surprised then to find out that Dr. Charles battles with his own demons and wrestles with his own personal depression.
An Unusual Allergy
The narrators of Chicago Med come up with some inventive storylines. Each character has their own fair set of flaws and weaknesses, adding to their credibility as real people in time and space.
One of the weaknesses given to April Sexton by narrators is a rare allergy called Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase A allergy. It sounds too strange to be true, but she's so perfect one expects at least one thing to be weak in her. Considering the series is hospital-focussed, the allergy adds a measure of credibility and humanity to the character of April Sexton.
Wearing His Heart On His Sleeve
Fans of Ethan Choi might not be quite aware of his softer side. While this has been displayed in his relationships on the show, it is only clearly evident when he gets involved with the furrier patients from Chicago Zoo.
Here, he attempts to rescue a panda that has a heart defect. Ethan comes from a family of excellence, which is probably why he is willing to go to these kinds of lengths for a worthy cause. His father was a Navy veteran, equally committed to his services and to humanity.
A Difficult Past
Dr. Natalie Manning is a firm favorite with viewers. She's professional and strong in character but manages to maintain a semblance of unique femininity, which attracts the attention of Will Halstead.
Still, Natalie has had a difficult past. Fans might not be aware that she was married in the past and that her husband was killed in action. It kind of makes viewers like her more, and it sheds new light on her initial resistance to Will's advancements.
The Tragic Story Of Connor Rhodes
Connor Rodes, played by Colin O'Donnell, is a team player at the Chicago Medical Center. Though he grew up in Chicago along with many of the other characters in the series, he is somewhat a dark sheep in terms of his past.
He has an unseen brokenness caused by his mom's untimely death. According to the show's narrative, his mom killed herself when he was younger. This she did by throwing herself from the roof of their home. Perhaps this is why he takes his job as a medical professional so seriously.
An Unexpected Twist
It's given that there will be twists in any series' narrative. However, some are more heart-breaking or attention-drawing than others. Dr. Sarah Reese enters the show for just a short period of time and viewers would have loved for her to stay longer. Her backstory is that she wanted to become a pathologist but changed her mind after graduating, to become a psychiatrist.
An unlikely twist in her story leaves viewers spellbound when she is transferred away from Chicago Med on suspicion that her father is a serial killer. This causes her to have a fall out with Dr. Daniel Charles.