NBC is bringing back its set of Chicago-based procedural dramas for new seasons including Chicago Med. Hailing from super-producer Dick Wolf, Chicago Med premiered in 2015 and was the third NBC procedural to become part of the Chicago franchise. First came Chicago Fire, focusing on fire-fighters, which was followed by Chicago PD, a spinoff unsurprisingly focusing on cops. Chicago Med became the medical branch of the franchise, with Chicago Justice coming along to take things to the courtroom.
Wolf's Chicago franchise clearly drew on the formula he first established with the sprawling Law & Order universe, which has seen many shows come and go. Like Law & Order though, Dick Wolf's Chicago franchise has not been immune to failure, as Chicago Justice was canceled after a single season. Still, that hasn't done anything to stop Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med from continuing to be successful, drawing some of the most consistent ratings on NBC.
Chicago Med now prepares to head into its eighth season, a mark the vast majority of shows don't reach. The doctors, nurses, and other personnel at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center will soon be back on call, doing their best to save lives while also navigating personal challenges. Here is everything that is known about Chicago Med season 8.
Chicago Med Season 8 Renewal
In this case - and also with Chicago Fire season 11 - there was no suspense for Chicago Med viewers as to whether season 8 would happen. Dick Wolf was able to broker a blockbuster deal in 2020 that allowed for multi-year renewals of the Chicago suite of shows. This included Chicago Med, which was renewed for seasons 6, 7, and 8 in one fell swoop.
Chicago Med Season 8 Cast: Who Will Return?
No announcements have been made or indication given that any major cast members from Chicago Med season 7 will not return for season 8. Some interpreted the ending of season 7 as hinting that the recurring character Dr. Pamela Blake (Sarah Rafferty) might be on her way out, but that does not appear to be the case. While no significant changes are known, it has been confirmed that former Jack Torrance actor Steven Weber will return as recent regular cast addition Dr. Dean Archer after signing a new contract between seasons.
Chicago Med Season 8 Story: What Season 7's Ending Set Up
Chicago Med's season 7 finale saw several Gaffney Chicago Medical Center members end up in a situation more suited to their sister show Chicago Fire. A blaze broke out in Will's apartment building, leaving him, Hannah, Dylan, and Jo in a potentially deadly situation. Elsewhere, Crockett made a bad choice with medical consequences for Pamela, Charles broke up with his therapist girlfriend, babies were born, and Vanessa prepared to meet her biological father. It seems likely that season 8's premiere will pick straight up from these events, especially since it needs to get all those characters out of that building fire.
Chicago Med Season 8 Release Date Prediction
Chicago Med has not been assigned a season 8 premiere date yet. If past seasons are a guide, though, season 8 should debut near the end of September 2022. That is, of course, presuming nothing happens to delay production between now and then.