Colin Donnell Returning to “Chicago Med” as Dr. Connor Rhodes After 7 Seasons (Exclusive)

Colin Donnell, an original cast member of the popular medical drama *Chicago Med*, is making a highly anticipated return to the series this December. After departing in 2019 during the season five premiere, Donnell will reprise his iconic role as Dr. Connor Rhodes in two episodes, starting with the season 12 fall finale on December 9.

Donnell left *Chicago Med* after a dramatic exit, where his character resigned from Gaffney Chicago Medical Center following a series of personal and professional struggles. His last appearance was marked by an intense storyline that involved the tragic death of his father, leading to a whirlwind of complications that ultimately pushed Connor to seek a fresh start away from the hospital.

In the upcoming episodes, viewers will see Dr. Rhodes back in action as he is brought in to assist with a challenging surgical case involving a young heart patient, as highlighted in an exclusive report by PEOPLE. Sharon Goodwin, portrayed by S. Epatha Merkerson, will be the one to enlist his expertise for the risky procedure.

With the show’s landscape evolving, Donnell’s return is particularly noteworthy, as he joins just two remaining original characters, Goodwin and Dr. Daniel Charles, played by Oliver Platt. This return is a product of showrunner Allen MacDonald’s commitment to regaining the essence of the early seasons by reintroducing original cast members. In previous seasons, the producers have welcomed back characters including Nick Gehlfuss and Torrey DeVitto, as well as Rachel DiPillo.

Expressing his enthusiasm for Donnell’s return, MacDonald remarked, “Dr. Connor Rhodes was the very first character fans met in the opening scene of *Chicago Med’s* premiere episode in 2015, and he’s one of my absolute favorites in the history of the series.” He emphasised the importance of bringing Colin back to the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center and shared his excitement that Donnell has agreed to step back into the role that fans have missed.

Donnell’s final episode in the series was particularly grim, marking a significant turning point for his character. In a tangled narrative, Connor discovered that his father had been murdered not by him, as he was led to believe, but by his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Ava Bekker. The circumstances surrounding his father’s death compounded Connor’s decision to leave the hospital, as he sought to escape the turmoil that had become intertwined with his life.

The actor, who is now 44, shared his love for the *Chicago Med* family upon announcing his departure back in April 2019. He thanked fans for their support during his four seasons on the show, stating, “I love my #ChicagoMed #OneChicago family dearly, and a special thank you to all the fans that have made these last four seasons so amazing.”

Since exiting the series, Donnell has continued to pursue diverse roles in his career. He has appeared in various projects, including *FBI: International* and *Zero Day*, and recently completed a significant run on Broadway in the production of *Ragtime*. In addition to his professional endeavours, Donnell and his wife, Patti Murin, who played Dr. Nina Shore on *Chicago Med*, have welcomed two children and released a joint music album.

As anticipation builds for his return, fans of *Chicago Med* are undoubtedly eager to see how Donovan’s Dr. Rhodes will fit back into the complex dynamics of the hospital, especially with the current tensions between the other original characters. The fall finale is set to air on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, promising to deliver an emotional reunion for one of the show’s most beloved figures.

In a television landscape where characters often come and go, Donnell’s impending reappearance serves as a reminder of the connections that have defined *Chicago Med* since its inception. As the series continues to weave new stories while honouring its roots, viewers can look forward to a captivating return from Dr. Connor Rhodes.