Chicago Med Brings Back Colin Donnell as Dr. Connor Rhodes After Seven Years

Well, look who's making his way back to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center! After seven years away, Colin Donnell is officially returning to Chicago Med as Dr. Connor Rhodes, and longtime fans finally have a reason to celebrate. The beloved cardiothoracic surgeon is coming back for two episodes during Season 12, beginning with the fall finale on December 9.

And honestly, after the way Connor left Chicago, we're curious to see what kind of reception awaits him. His departure was anything but peaceful, and while Gaffney has certainly seen its share of drama since then, Connor's exit remains one of the show's most devastating storylines.

Why Is Dr. Connor Rhodes Returning?

According to the newly announced storyline, Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) reaches out to her former colleague when a young patient requires a complicated, high-risk heart operation. Connor's surgical expertise makes him someone Goodwin can trust when the stakes are especially high.

It's a fitting reason to bring him home. Before his departure, Connor was one of Gaffney's most talented surgeons, even if his personal life had a habit of becoming just as complicated as his cases. His return also creates an opportunity for the series to revisit a character who never really received the fresh start viewers got to witness.

Donnell's guest appearance will span two episodes, although NBC has not revealed when the second installment will air or whether Connor's visit could lead to anything more permanent.

Remember How Connor Left Chicago Med?

For anyone who needs a refresher, Connor's final days at Gaffney were an absolute nightmare. His complicated relationship with fellow surgeon Dr. Ava Bekker (Norma Kuhling) came to a horrifying conclusion when he discovered that Ava had murdered his father, Cornelius Rhodes.

When Connor refused to help her escape responsibility, Ava took her own life in front of him. The tragedy left Connor emotionally shattered, and he ultimately decided to leave Chicago behind in the Season 5 premiere. That was back in 2019, and viewers haven't seen him since. Seven years is a long time, particularly on a medical drama where entire relationships, careers, and hospital administrations can change before the next commercial break.

Bringing Back an Original Chicago Med Favorite

Connor wasn't just another doctor passing through Gaffney. He was one of the original characters when Chicago Med debuted in 2015, and viewers were introduced to him in the very first scene of the series.

Showrunner Allen MacDonald has made it clear that bringing Donnell back was something he wanted to accomplish. The series has welcomed other familiar faces in recent seasons, including former regulars Nick Gehlfuss, Torrey DeVitto, and Rachel DiPillo, but Connor's return has been a particularly anticipated reunion.

With Sharon Goodwin and Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt) among the remaining original cast members, seeing Connor step back through Gaffney's doors should be quite the nostalgic moment.

Of course, nostalgia only gets you so far. What we're really interested in is whether the show will acknowledge everything Connor went through before leaving, and how those experiences have shaped the doctor he's become.

Gaffney Is Already Dealing With Enough Drama

Connor's return comes during a particularly chaotic period for the hospital. Season 12 opened with Sharon Goodwin facing accusations involving a leaked medical record, putting her position and reputation in jeopardy. The premiere also revealed that Nurse Doris admitted responsibility for the leak, adding another complication to an already messy situation. With leadership tensions continuing to unfold, Goodwin bringing back a trusted former surgeon could be one of the more welcome developments of the season.

There are still plenty of questions surrounding Connor's homecoming. Has he found happiness since leaving Chicago? Is he still carrying the emotional weight of what happened with Ava? And could two episodes really be enough to catch up with someone fans haven't seen in seven years? Whatever happens, one thing is certain: Gaffney is about to welcome back a familiar face, and we're more than ready to see Dr. Connor Rhodes put on those scrubs again.

Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with episodes available to stream the following day on Peacock.