Nick Gehlfuss has played Dr. Will Halstead from the jump. He was part of the original cast in 2015, and as much as fans loved his character, he had to say goodbye to “Chicago Med” in Season 8. Gehlfuss knew he had hit a creative end. He told Variety, “It was a difficult decision, but ultimately, I felt I’d taken Dr. Halstead as far as I can go with him. I think that comes down to a creative part of you, or the energy or spirit you have that you’re either built for a very long time with one person or not.”
Luckily for fans, his send-off wasn’t tragic. After complications in the O.R., his character left the show to be with his ex-fiance, Natalie Manning, played by Torrey Devitto. As it turns out, this was the writing team’s decision — not Gehlfuss’. He shared with TV Line, “They asked me if I had any ideas, and I did not have anything. I said, ‘Whatever makes most sense for you guys. I would like to preserve the possibility of coming back for important events or in whatever capacity makes sense…'”
As tough as it was to see him go, it was even more difficult for Gehlfuss to leave. He explained to TV Line, “A difficult decision because, of course, I have for the last eight years grown with a fantastic group of people, and they have become a family, they really have.”
