Chicago Med season 9 gets a brand-new image, and it teases a new character played by a Grey’s Anatomy alum. Marking the third installment in the larger One Chicago franchise of shows, Chicago Med first premiered in 2015, following the Emergency Department doctors of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center as they navigate their personal and professional lives. Following the conclusion of season 8 in May of last year, the show is now gearing up for its next outing, which will include the introduction of some new cast members.
Now, following the Chicago Med season 9 premiere last week, TVLine shares an image from episode 2, “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us,” revealing Sophia Ali’s new character, Dr. Zola Ahmad. Check out the image below:
This isn’t the first time Ali has played a doctor, of course, with the actor having previously recurred on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Dahlia Qadri. According to TVLine, Dr. Ahmad ruffles some feathers when she arrives at the hospital due to her unorthodox method of treating patients, with the episode 2 logline teasing a clash between the newcomer and Crockett (Dominic Rains).
What To Expect From The Rest Of Chicago Med Season 9
Ali’s Dr. Ahmad isn’t the first new character to appear on Chicago Med season 9, with last week’s premiere having introduced Luke Michell as Dr. Mitch Ripley. Both new characters are part of a larger attempt to offset the absence of several core characters, with cast members Guy Lockard (Dr. Scott), Brian Tee (Dr. Choi), and Nick Gehlfuss (Dr. Halstead) having all departed the show with season 8.
The Chicago Med season 9 premiere jumps forward in time to several months after the season 8 finale, and the show will seemingly be sticking with this jump ahead as new episodes continue to air. The premiere hits the ground running, with Dr. Mitch Ripley’s start at the hospital proving to be a rocky one. Friction forms between him and Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) due to their troubled past, and, though tentatively resolved, this storyline seems ripe for further exploration moving forward.
Also set up in the premiere is Maggie Lockwood’s (Marlyne Barrett) personal problems with Ben (Charles Malick Whitfield). Maggie reveals to Hannah (Jessy Schram) that Ben is seeking a divorce, and it’s possible that these personal troubles will start to spill into the hospital. It’s currently unclear whether Chicago Med season 10 will happen, but the episodes in the coming weeks will reveal whether the show can succeed moving forward without so many original cast members.