‘You Sit Down And You Watch’: Chicago Med’s New Showrunner Talks Taking Over After 9 Seasons And Resolving Ripley’s Cliffhanger

‘You Sit Down And You Watch’: Chicago Med’s New Showrunner Talks Taking Over After 9 Seasons And Resolving Ripley’s Cliffhanger

As a seasoned gamer of the small screen, I must say that the return of One Chicago to NBC’s Wednesday night lineup is like a long-awaited level-up in my TV RPG. The anticipation for the resolution of the cliffhanger in Chicago Med is as thrilling as facing a boss battle after hours of grinding through quests.


Following a lengthy break, the three shows in the One Chicago series will reappear on NBC’s Wednesday night schedule within the 2024 television lineup. In the Season 10 opener of Chicago Med, there is a significant cliffhanger to address since Season 9 concluded with Dr. Mitch Ripley being accused of attacking Liliana’s suspicious brother. At least one character will not be present for this premiere. The most notable change for Season 10 has occurred behind the scenes, as Allen MacDonald assumes the role of showrunner following the departure of previous co-showrunners Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov from the series. In a conversation with TopMob, the new boss discusses readying for the top position and swiftly resolving the cliffhanger.

As a seasoned TV producer, transitioning into the role of showrunner for “Chicago Med” is an exciting yet daunting challenge. With a solid background on shows like “CSI” and “13 Reasons Why,” I’m a fresh face in the world of One Chicago. When it comes to diving headfirst into a series that’s already nine seasons deep, with almost 200 episodes under its belt, preparation is key. So, when asked about my approach, I shared:

Initially, you dive right in by watching all 176 episodes of the series, becoming fully acquainted with the setting and characters. Once immersed, it’s time for me to brainstorm how I can contribute this season while staying true to the show’s established excellence and emotional depth. The goal is to expand upon the existing foundation and put my own spin on its heartfelt narrative.

There are definitely less enjoyable ways to get ready for a fresh job than marathoning a popular TV series! The landscape of Chicago Med has undergone significant shifts during the 176 episodes it has produced, with several original cast members leaving. However, MacDonald is no stranger to medical dramas, as he went on to explain:

As a long-time enthusiast of medical dramas like St. Elsewhere and ER, I’ve always harbored a desire to create my own medical series. The chance has only come now, but my love for these shows runs deep. I aim to elicit both laughter and tears from the audience simultaneously, and I believe medical dramas offer the best platform for this emotional rollercoaster ride, more so than other procedural genres.

One thing about Chicago during primetime is that it’s consistently a spot where you can both laugh and shed tears, and it looks like there will be even more of that coming this fall with the series Med. If you’re interested in catching up on any or all of the 176 episodes already aired, they are available for streaming with a Peacock subscription. Later, MacDonald discussed some specific stories he’s excited to explore as Chicago Med enters this new phase:

I was really looking forward to the dynamic between Hannah and Ripley. Their happiness at the end of the previous season, which lasted until the final scene, made me eager to introduce challenges into their relationship. I was thrilled to weave that narrative, and I’m still excited about it. We are indeed continuing to tell that story, but let me assure you, there will undoubtedly be obstacles ahead for Hannah and Ripley in the future.

Jessy Schram’s character Hannah and Luke Mitchell’s character Ripley started showing romantic sparks in the previous season, but their relationship was just budding… until the Season 9 finale dropped a major shock with the accusation against him that he had brutally assaulted someone he had good reason to dislike. I pointed out to the new showrunner that he’s got quite an intriguing dilemma on his hands as he kicks off Season 10, and he agreed.

In Episode 1, much of the plot revolves around the mystery of Ripley’s role in Pawel’s assault from last season, a secret he hasn’t fully shared with Hannah. This secrecy has created tension between them, making their initial encounters quite frosty. By the end of the premiere, we learn the truth about Ripley’s involvement in the attack, but the aftermath of this revelation and its impact on his relationship with Hannah is something that will continue to unfold throughout the season.

As a gamer diving into the latest season of Chicago Med, I can’t help but feel the suspense building around the mystery of whether Ripley was indeed involved in the attack on Pawel. However, it won’t be Hannah who’ll experience this tension right away, as the Season 10 premiere leaps forward approximately a month from where we last left off in Season 9. This means that for quite some time, Ripley will keep Hannah in the dark about the entire incident.

As Chicago Med kicked off its tenth season at breakneck speed, what discussions did Allen MacDonald engage in with former showrunners Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov regarding the handover of responsibilities? MacDonald elaborated on this, stating:

Your question is excellent, Laura. To be frank, I haven’t had a conversation with Andy or Diane personally. However, having observed their work in the 176 episodes, I must admit I’m quite fond of them. Their unique approach to emotional storytelling and character creation truly resonates with me. The new cast has sparked great excitement within me, prompting me to eagerly sit down at my laptop and compose dialogue and narratives for them. And let me tell you, the experience has been nothing short of delightful.

Luckily, the anticipation for Season 10 of my favorite show, “Chicago Med,” is almost at an end! It’s back on NBC every Wednesday starting September 25 at 8 p.m. ET, kicking off One Chicago Wednesdays this fall. If you’re like me and need a quick recap of that nail-biting cliffhanger from May, here it is:

Every Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, you can catch the ongoing season of “Chicago Med” on NBC. Following that, don’t miss “Chicago Fire” Season 13 and “Chicago P.D.” Season 12 at 9:00 PM ET and 10:00 PM ET respectively. Keep an eye on TopMob for updates about One Chicago!

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2024-09-24 01:37