Dr. Connor Rhodes is officially checking back into Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Actor Colin Donnell is set to reprise his iconic role in two upcoming episodes of NBC’s Chicago Med Season 12, beginning with the highly anticipated fall finale on December 9.
According to reports from People, hospital leader Sharon Goodwin, portrayed by S. Epatha Merkerson, personally recruits the skilled trauma surgeon to handle a complex and high-risk operation for a young heart patient.
This upcoming guest appearance marks Donnell’s first return to the medical drama since his departure in 2019. While he will not rejoin the main cast as a full-time series regular, his brief comeback reunites viewers with a foundational character who was first introduced during the opening scene of the show’s series premiere in 2015.
Why Bringing Dr. Connor Rhodes Back Was a Top Priority
Allen MacDonald, who took over as showrunner in 2024, revealed that orchestrating Donnell’s return has been a major objective since he stepped into the leadership role. MacDonald highlighted the profound impact the character left on the series and praised Donnell’s contributions.
“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,” MacDonald shared with People. “I’m so thrilled that Colin Donnell has agreed to return in his iconic role, bringing with him all of Connor’s warmth, intelligence, and complexity.”
Sharon Goodwin leads the effort to bring Rhodes back to the hospital, indicating that she is firmly back in charge following her recent professional battles and scrutiny over leaked medical files.
A Look Back at Connor Rhodes’ Dramatic Exit in Season 5
When Donnell last appeared on screen during the Season 5 premiere in 2019, titled “Never Going Back to Normal,” it brought a dark and definitive close to his initial tenure. His exit followed a tumultuous storyline involving the murder of his wealthy father, a crime for which Connor was initially suspected.
It was later uncovered that his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Ava Bekker, played by Norma Kuhling, had killed his father in a twisted attempt to force Connor back into her life. When Connor refused to reconcile, Ava died by . Overwhelmed by the trauma and hospital politics, Connor resigned, telling his mentor, Dr. Latham, that he needed to move on to somewhere where he could simply be another doctor.
Since his departure from Gaffney, Donnell has kept busy across television, film, and theater, taking on roles in projects such as Arrow, The Affair, FBI: International, and Zero Day, alongside acclaimed Broadway performances including Ragtime.
The Trend of Bringing Back Original Cast Members
Under MacDonald’s leadership, Chicago Med has embraced nostalgia by bringing back several beloved original cast members for special guest arcs. Recent seasons have welcomed the returns of Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead, Torrey DeVitto as Dr. Natalie Manning, and Rachel DiPillo as Dr. Sarah Reese.
With S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin and Oliver Platt as Dr. Daniel Charles remaining as the show’s enduring original series regulars, Donnell’s return adds another rich layer of history to the current Season 12 lineup.
Chicago Med airs on Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC, with episodes available to stream the following day on Peacock.
