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After almost a decade on TV, the numbers of original cast members are dwindling on Chicago Med, and another one may be on their way out. Is Sharon Goodwin leaving Chicago Med? Read on for why fans think Goodwin may be the next OG to leave Gaffney Chicago Medical Center for good.
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Is Sharon Goodwin leaving Chicago Med?
Goodwin — played by S. Epatha Merkerson — is one of three original characters left on Chicago Med, along with Maggie Lockwood (Marlyne Barrett) and Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt). Goodwin sparked speculation she was leaving Chicago Med in the preview for the Season 9 finale, “I Think I Know You, But Do I Really?,” in which she makes an emotional decision around her ex-husband, Bert, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s earlier in the season.
“I think it’s time,” Goodwin tells Dr.Charles in the episode. The preview also shows Goodwin hugging her boyfriend, oncologist Dr. Dennis Washington, as well as her comforting their daughter Tara. (Goodwin and Bert also share sons Michael and David.) “Ripley and Charles treat a high-risk prisoner who may have dementia. Archer and Sean clash when a resident from Margo’s facility lands in the E.D. Crockett receives shocking news,” the official episode description reads.
More: Where former Chicago Med cast members are now
While some fans speculated that Goodwin’s quote had to do with her putting Bert in a nursing home, others theorized that her decision could actually be about her resigning as the Chief of Patient and Medical Services at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center to focus on her family and Bert’s care.
“I hope S. epatha merkeson isn’t leaving the show. I hope the ‘maybe its time’ is to put Bert away in a home. I just hope she doesn’t sacrifice her happiness with the oncologist,” a fan commented on a YouTube video of the promo.
Another fan wrote on Reddit, “From the trailer, two things seem to be happening; the first one is goodwin saying goodbye, in some sort of way. It looks like she’s in her office and it looks relatively empty. I think goodwin will take a leave of absence (hopefully not a permanent leave! love epatha) so she can take care of bert until she is incapable or he passes. She’s a nurse, so she will likely be capable for as long as needed.”
The fan went on to theorize that Goodwin’s exit could create a path for Dr. Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains) to take her as Chief Administrator to give him a break from surgery after losing a patient earlier in the season. The theory is also hinted at in the finale’s episode description, which references Crockett receiving “shocking news” that could be about Goodwin’s exit.
“From the The second thing in the trailer (and i think the storyline everyone is most interested in) is Crockett getting shocking news; it’s implied he doesn’t enjoy surgery or he’s lacking confidence or something, that could be due to the news he is going to receive or some other reason,” the fan wrote. “Goodwin obviously notices, so i think she uses her situation to help crockett and offer him her job role to give him a break from surgery – we all know how great crockett is with patients. The shocking news could be goodwin leaving and/or a job promotion, or it could be something else entirely., two things seem to be happening; the first one is goodwin saying goodbye, in some sort of way.”
More: The most shocking Chicago Med exits over the years
The fan continued, “It looks like she’s in her office and it looks relatively empty. I think goodwin will take a leave of absence (hopefully not a permanent leave! love epatha) so she can take care of bert until she is incapable or he passes. She’s a nurse, so she will likely be capable for as long as needed.” Other fans also agreed with the theory of Crockett replacing Goodwin as the head of the Chicago Med. “Crockett is going to take Goodwin’s spot, she’ll be taking a leave of absence,” another Reddit user wrote.
More: Meet the Chicago Med cast’s children in real life
If Merkerson was to leave Chicago Med, she joins a long list of One Chicago stars who have also exited in the past year, including Chicago Fire‘s Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett), Alberto Rosende (Blake Gallo), and Eamonn Walker (Chief Wallace Boden) and Chicago P.D.‘s Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton.) She would also follow original cast member Nick Gehlfuss (who played Dr. Will Halstead) and Brian Tee (who played Dr. Ethan Choi) who both exited in Season 8.
Chicago Med is available to stream on Peaco*ck.
For more on Chicago Med, check out who the cast is dating or married to in real life in the gallery below.
