Viewers of NBC's Chicago Med were surprised in 2021 when Torrey DeVitto left the medical drama. DeVitto, who portrayed Dr. Natalie Manning, had been part of the series since its first season, in 2015. Her character was long considered the show's female lead, while also being one-half of its central couple alongside Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss). It was difficult to think of the series without her. So why did Torrey DeVitto leave Chicago Med?
Fans of the connected One Chicago series had differing opinions about Natalie. Some still loved her as much as they had in Season 1, while others felt she had become increasingly more difficult by the time she departed in Season 6. With her on-again, off-again romance with Will seemingly done for good after Natalie took up with newcomer Dr. Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains), the character seemed like she was headed toward an ending.
Who Was Natalie Manning on Chicago Med?
Torrey DeVitto as Dr. Natlie Manning in Chicago Med Season 6.
Dr. Natalie Manning was one of the Emergency Department physicians at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. She specialized in pediatrics, but did a fellowship in emergency medicine, usually working on cases involving women and children. Natalie started the series as a widow. Her husband Jeff was killed while serving in the U.S. military overseas.
She gave birth to their son Owen in Season 1, Episode 6, "Bound." Natalie and Will kissed just four episodes later, starting a romance that continued for years, and included several breakups and a failed wedding. The duo known as "Manstead" broke up for good in Season 5, after Will refused to take Natalie back. She then dated Marcel in Season 6, and even introduced him to her mother.
But as much drama as Natalie's personal life involved, her professional career could sometimes be even more chaotic. Natalie was headstrong and would usually do what she felt was right -- even if it was against the rules, or the wishes of a patient or their loved ones. She was arrested once and routinely butted heads with fellow doctors. In Season 6, she helped Marcel with an unauthorized surgery, then stole medication from Will's clinical trial to give to her ailing mother. Will lost his job over the theft, which prompted Natalie to come clean in the Season 6 finale. The Season 7 premiere revealed she had been fired and was leaving Chicago for a new job.
The Reason for Torrey DeVitto's Chicago Med Exit
Dr. Natalie Manning talks with a patient on Chicao Med.
Torrey DeVitto's departure from Chicago Med was much less contentious than her character's. The actor's contract expired at the end of Season 6, and she chose to pursue other opportunities. In an Instagram post before the final two episodes of Season 6, DeVitto wrote, in part, "It is now time for me and her to bow out and say goodbye." She appeared in the Hallmark Channel film The Christmas Promise in April 2021 before her final Med episode aired in September 2021.
It's not uncommon for actors to want to move on after being on series for several years. Fellow One Chicago star Jesse Spencer recently left Chicago Fire after 10 seasons playing Matthew Casey. DeVitto starred in almost 120 episodes of Chicago Med, not counting her crossover appearances on the other two One Chicago dramas. It was the longest role of the One Tree Hill alum's career. DeVitto was clearly ready to try new things, and after Natalie had gone through so much both in and out of the hospital, it was also a good time to give the character a fresh start.
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