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‘Chicago Med’: Two Major Cast Members Leaving Show Ahead of Season 7

In a tough break for fans of NBC‘s Chicago Med, two major cast members are saying goodbye. Torrey DeVitto and Yaya DaCosta, are leaving the series before season 7. DeVitto played emergency pediatrics specialist Natalie Manning while DaCosta played ER nurse April Sexton. The moves come as cast contracts expire following the end of season 6.

Both Actresses are Joining New Projects

Yaya DaCosta’s exit may be shocking to fans, but she has a job already lined up. She landed the starring role in Fox’s new series, Our Kind Of People. According to Deadline, DaCosta got the part after opting not to renew her Chicago Med contract.

Our Kind of People is inspired by the book, Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class by Lawrence Otis Graham. DaCosta will play Angela Vaughn. Vaughn is a single mother with a haircare line trying to reclaim the family name. But she discovers that her family has a dark secret. Angela Vaughn grew up in a working-class household after her wealthy father turned his back on her family.

Meanwhile, DeVitto has landed a spot on an indie feature film, Skelly. Skelly focuses on an 11-year-old boy named Jonah whose grandfather dies and his father experiences grief that Jonah cant understand. This triggers an obsession with mortality in the young boy, who puts together a haunted house with his friends. DeVitto will play Jonah’s mother.

In a statement, the film’s production company described Skelly as a “heartwarming film that takes children and parents alike back to the curiosity and creativity of Halloween and family bonding. Torrey embodies the warmth and encouragement of a Mom supporting her son and his friends and brings a world class talent to what we expect to be an inviting and fun film for Halloween this year.”

A Silver Lining for ‘Chicago Med’ Fans

Hopefully, the fact that S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt are expected to stay on the show will lessen the blow. According to Deadline, Merkerson has closed a new deal, while the rest of the cast is in the process of negotiations. Chicago Med fans also don’t have to worry about a cancellation or series end any time soon. The show still has two years left on its three-season pickup.

The exit of DeVitto and DaCosta is surely a disappointment for fans, but on the bright side, both actresses have two new projects coming up, and many other cast members are staying right where they are. And, unlike some shows, Chicago Med isn’t at risk of cancellation. With their exit, Chicago Med season 7 is sure to experience quite a shake-up.