Allen MacDonald (Showrunner for Chicago Med)

One Chicago Podcast: Deep Dive with Alan McDonald, Showrunner of Chicago Med

Host: Brian Lucci
Guest: Alan McDonald, Showrunner (Chicago Med)
Date: January 8, 2026
Main Theme: A revealing look into the making of Chicago Med’s high-stakes midseason episodes, character arcs, and writer's room decisions, with emotional behind-the-scenes insights and teasing upcoming twists.

Episode Overview

This episode reunites host Brian Lucci and Chicago Med showrunner Alan McDonald for an in-depth conversation about the series' explosive midseason premiere (“Triple Threat”), the writers’ process behind major cliffhangers, the evolving arcs of fan-favorite characters like Dr. Lennox, character dynamics, and what fans can expect as the season continues. Both men reflect the grounded, emotional, sometimes irreverent tone fans love, blending heartfelt admiration with playful ribbing and candid process talk.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Dr. Lennox Cliffhanger and Her Risk-Taking Arc

(Starts ~02:03)

Origin of Dr. Lennox’s Storyline:
- The writer's room decided early in the season to put Lennox in grave danger for the fall finale. Her hereditary prion disease (a terminal diagnosis) and its “ticking time bomb” effect was consistent since last season ([06:13]).
- Alan McDonald: “She knows this is in her. It’s like a ticking time bomb, but she has no idea when it’s gonna go off, and I think that drives her a little bit insane.” ([06:50])
Progression of Her Behavior:
- Lennox starts the season in denial but, influenced by witnessing others confront death, increasingly embraces living “as much as she can...as fast as she can.”
- The writers intentionally escalated her risk-taking: “at first, it’s, you know, sex with a stranger at a bar...then we kept escalating the risks that she’s taking” ([08:57]).
Purpose of the Cliffhanger:
- The decision for the brutal “pistol whip” moment was set early, fulfilling both drama and character authenticity ([13:18]):
  - Brian Lucci: "You cliffhangered the fans again... For that, you get to keep your devious patch." ([05:28])
  - Alan McDonald: “We knew it was gonna be Dr. Lennox, whose life was put in danger, and we knew she was probably gonna get pistol whipped in the final moment.” ([13:18])

2. Risk, Death, and Emotional Authenticity

(07:54, 10:07, 12:13)

Quotes from Key Episodes:
- Dr. Lennox (quoted during discussion): “I am sick. I may not die today, but it’s coming. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it. No one can ... say goodbye, just in case. Because when time runs out, it’s gone.” ([07:54])
- Lennox confronting danger: “Do you want to die? No. But it doesn’t scare me anymore.” ([09:33])
Writers' Intention:
- They saw “risk as a drug”—each near-miss driving Lennox toward more reckless choices, both in her personal life and on the job. Her actions build organically out of this need to feel alive in the face of inevitable decline ([11:16], [12:13]).

3. The Intertwined Domestic Abuse Storyline

(10:07–13:06)

The “Carters” storyline (Faye and Devin) paralleled Lennox’s trajectory:
- The writers explored the complexity of domestic violence, showing both victim’s entanglement and Lennox’s growing willingness to break rules to protect others, culminating in her involvement in altering a crime scene.
- Brian Lucci: “As a cop showing up at a door when there’s domestic violence and it’s, ‘Oh no, we don’t have any problems’ ... that was beautiful.” ([10:53])
- Alan McDonald: “She did it to protect Faye because she knew that Faye had shot basically an unarmed man. … So Lennox wanted to make sure that Faye had a chance of living her life.” ([22:14])

4. Writing and Directing the Triple Threat Episode

(19:23, 19:50, 25:23)

Breaking Form:
- “Triple Threat” broke from the usual show structure; it told the story in flashbacks and used multi-perspective interrogations, drawing inspiration from Chicago PD’s style ([19:23], [20:52], [25:23]).
- Brian Lucci: “The wolves have different rules. POVs, no flashbacks. I’m like, oh, my God. This whole thing...is flashing back and forth. But it felt right.” ([20:34])
- Alan McDonald: “I was taken aback by how emotional it was, and it hit me even harder than I thought it would.” ([25:23])
POV and Emotional Core:
- Centering on three “interrogation” POVs: Dr. Charles, Dr. Archer, and Dr. Lennox, each facing accountability and guilt.
- Alan McDonald: “With Triple Threat, we would be locked in with these three characters who in their own ways are being interrogated.” ([20:52])

5. Character Pairings and Relationship Dynamics

(13:46, 15:36, 16:02, 32:47–37:06)

New Pairings:
- This season, the writers specifically worked to find new, unexplored pairings, like Lennox and Ripley during her ordeal ([13:46]).
Ripley’s Arc and Emotional Growth:
- Ripley’s own journey through trauma informs his ability to support Lennox, without trying to “fix” her ([15:16], [15:36]).
Will Halstead’s Heroic Return:
- One top fan moment: Will Halstead returns, carrying a child in a dramatic entrance ([31:44]).
  - Alan McDonald: “That was a big hero moment, and it was such a great entrance for a character that the audience loves but has not seen for a long time.” ([31:52])
Flashback Techniques:
- A scene with Sharon (S. Epatha Merkerson) as a younger woman, reflecting the pain and joys of motherhood, deeply moved both the showrunners and the network ([34:35–35:32]).
Interpersonal Moments:
- The Lennox sibling dynamic: rich with affection, irritation, and realism, in part due to real off-screen rapport between Sarah Ramos and Logan Miller ([46:10–47:53]).
- Alan McDonald: “There’s a real dynamic between them, and there’s a real affection between them... They are truly gifted actors. And they truly feel like siblings.” ([47:40])

6. Humor and Heart – “Adorkable” and Ship Teases

(36:14–39:58)

Nurse Casey’s Comic Relief:
- Casey (Kim Quinlan) gets standout comedic lines—“Well, well, well, Dr. Frost. Looks like you’re in an old-fashioned love triangle… But if you ever want to make that triangle a square, give me a call.” ([37:03])
- Both host and showrunner praise her “adorkable” presence and how real-life office gossip colors the hospital backdrop.
Novak & Frost, Love Triangles, and Flirtations:
- The Novak/Frost “bunny in the treehouse” scene is called out as risky to write but became a standout due to casting and writing chemistry.
- Writers coordinate between Med and Fire to keep romantic crossovers fun and layered ([39:22]).

7. Writing in the Writers’ Room – The Method

(27:05–28:21)

Storyboarding:
- Each character’s arc is mapped on a giant board per episode. Sometimes stories adapt or expand as new ideas take hold (“Jeremy Esme” storyline grew from three to four episodes).
Connected Storytelling:
- Alan McDonald: “I always look at those two episodes, the fall finale and the spring premiere as a two part episode … the stories are usually the same, connected.” ([28:01])

8. Standout Acting – Understated Performances

(40:46–43:54)

Praise for Ashley Sharp Chestnut (Dr. Naomi Howard):
- Alan reveals behind-the-scenes rewrites to flesh out her scenes and credits her for strong, subtle confession scenes about regret and professional boundaries.
Doctors are Humans Too:
- A central theme is the stark contrast between their expertise with patients and their own “screwed up” personal lives, enhancing the humanity at the heart of the show ([45:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“She knows this is in her. It’s like a ticking time bomb, but she has no idea when it’s gonna go off … drives her a little bit insane.”
-- Alan McDonald ([06:50])
“I am no longer afraid of dying. I don’t want to die, but I’m not afraid of it.”
-- Paraphrased Dr. Lennox ([09:25])
“Risk is like a drug, Looch ... every time she experiences it, she has to escalate it to get a better high off of it.”
-- Alan McDonald ([11:16])
“That was a big hero moment, and it was such a great entrance for a character that the audience loves but has not seen for a long time.”
-- Alan McDonald, re: Dr. Will Halstead’s return ([31:52])
“Sometimes you just feel it in the room. And that was one of those moments.”
-- Alan McDonald, on moving pitches in the writers’ room ([18:14])
“If you ever want to make that triangle a square, give me a call.”
-- Nurse Casey (Kim Quinlan) ([37:03])
“There's a real dynamic between them, and there's a real affection between them... They are truly gifted actors. And they truly feel like siblings.”
-- Alan McDonald, about Lennox and her brother ([47:40])

Important Timestamps

02:03: Jump into the Dr. Lennox cliffhanger and risk-taking
06:13–09:19: Writer’s room discussion and Lennox’s arc origins
10:07–13:32: The domestic violence storyline and its impact
15:16–16:29: Ripley’s character arc and connection with Lennox
19:23–21:20: Breaking form in “Triple Threat”—structure and POV
25:23: Emotional aftermath of filming “Triple Threat”
27:05–28:21: Storyboarding and interconnected episodes
31:44: Favorite moment—Dr. Will Halstead’s return
34:35–35:32: Making a powerful family flashback scene
36:16–39:58: Comic relief, love triangles, treehouse scene
40:46–43:54: Shout-outs to actor performances and nuanced confessions
46:10–47:53: Lennox’s sibling relationship and casting story
48:03–49:07: Teases for the rest of the season and what to expect

Looking Ahead: What Fans Can Expect

Major plotlines to come:
- The continuation of Dr. Hannah’s pregnancy arc and its impact on Archer
- Big episodes focused on Dr. Charles and his emotional journey ([48:41])
- More “rock star hero” moments for Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson)
- Emotional and character-driven stories with surprising pair-ups and evolving relationships

Conclusion

This episode offers a rare, candid look behind Chicago Med’s most memorable arcs—how writers layer in risk, emotion, and surprise, and how real-life dynamics inform on-screen chemistry. Alan McDonald’s transparency about process and decision-making, plus Brian Lucci’s fan-savvy questions, make this illuminating for longtime fans and potential new viewers alike.

Catch Chicago Med Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC (or stream on Peacock). The One Chicago Podcast drops every Thursday.

One Chicago Podcast: Deep Dive with Alan McDonald, Showrunner of Chicago Med

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Dr. Lennox Cliffhanger and Her Risk-Taking Arc

(Starts ~02:03)

Origin of Dr. Lennox’s Storyline:
- The writer's room decided early in the season to put Lennox in grave danger for the fall finale. Her hereditary prion disease (a terminal diagnosis) and its “ticking time bomb” effect was consistent since last season ([06:13]).
- Alan McDonald: “She knows this is in her. It’s like a ticking time bomb, but she has no idea when it’s gonna go off, and I think that drives her a little bit insane.” ([06:50])
Progression of Her Behavior:
- Lennox starts the season in denial but, influenced by witnessing others confront death, increasingly embraces living “as much as she can...as fast as she can.”
- The writers intentionally escalated her risk-taking: “at first, it’s, you know, sex with a stranger at a bar...then we kept escalating the risks that she’s taking” ([08:57]).
Purpose of the Cliffhanger:
- The decision for the brutal “pistol whip” moment was set early, fulfilling both drama and character authenticity ([13:18]):
  - Brian Lucci: "You cliffhangered the fans again... For that, you get to keep your devious patch." ([05:28])
  - Alan McDonald: “We knew it was gonna be Dr. Lennox, whose life was put in danger, and we knew she was probably gonna get pistol whipped in the final moment.” ([13:18])

2. Risk, Death, and Emotional Authenticity

(07:54, 10:07, 12:13)

Quotes from Key Episodes:
- Dr. Lennox (quoted during discussion): “I am sick. I may not die today, but it’s coming. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it. No one can ... say goodbye, just in case. Because when time runs out, it’s gone.” ([07:54])
- Lennox confronting danger: “Do you want to die? No. But it doesn’t scare me anymore.” ([09:33])
Writers' Intention:
- They saw “risk as a drug”—each near-miss driving Lennox toward more reckless choices, both in her personal life and on the job. Her actions build organically out of this need to feel alive in the face of inevitable decline ([11:16], [12:13]).

3. The Intertwined Domestic Abuse Storyline

(10:07–13:06)

The “Carters” storyline (Faye and Devin) paralleled Lennox’s trajectory:
- The writers explored the complexity of domestic violence, showing both victim’s entanglement and Lennox’s growing willingness to break rules to protect others, culminating in her involvement in altering a crime scene.
- Brian Lucci: “As a cop showing up at a door when there’s domestic violence and it’s, ‘Oh no, we don’t have any problems’ ... that was beautiful.” ([10:53])
- Alan McDonald: “She did it to protect Faye because she knew that Faye had shot basically an unarmed man. … So Lennox wanted to make sure that Faye had a chance of living her life.” ([22:14])

4. Writing and Directing the Triple Threat Episode

(19:23, 19:50, 25:23)

Breaking Form:
- “Triple Threat” broke from the usual show structure; it told the story in flashbacks and used multi-perspective interrogations, drawing inspiration from Chicago PD’s style ([19:23], [20:52], [25:23]).
- Brian Lucci: “The wolves have different rules. POVs, no flashbacks. I’m like, oh, my God. This whole thing...is flashing back and forth. But it felt right.” ([20:34])
- Alan McDonald: “I was taken aback by how emotional it was, and it hit me even harder than I thought it would.” ([25:23])
POV and Emotional Core:
- Centering on three “interrogation” POVs: Dr. Charles, Dr. Archer, and Dr. Lennox, each facing accountability and guilt.
- Alan McDonald: “With Triple Threat, we would be locked in with these three characters who in their own ways are being interrogated.” ([20:52])

5. Character Pairings and Relationship Dynamics

(13:46, 15:36, 16:02, 32:47–37:06)

New Pairings:
- This season, the writers specifically worked to find new, unexplored pairings, like Lennox and Ripley during her ordeal ([13:46]).
Ripley’s Arc and Emotional Growth:
- Ripley’s own journey through trauma informs his ability to support Lennox, without trying to “fix” her ([15:16], [15:36]).
Will Halstead’s Heroic Return:
- One top fan moment: Will Halstead returns, carrying a child in a dramatic entrance ([31:44]).
  - Alan McDonald: “That was a big hero moment, and it was such a great entrance for a character that the audience loves but has not seen for a long time.” ([31:52])
Flashback Techniques:
- A scene with Sharon (S. Epatha Merkerson) as a younger woman, reflecting the pain and joys of motherhood, deeply moved both the showrunners and the network ([34:35–35:32]).
Interpersonal Moments:
- The Lennox sibling dynamic: rich with affection, irritation, and realism, in part due to real off-screen rapport between Sarah Ramos and Logan Miller ([46:10–47:53]).
- Alan McDonald: “There’s a real dynamic between them, and there’s a real affection between them... They are truly gifted actors. And they truly feel like siblings.” ([47:40])

6. Humor and Heart – “Adorkable” and Ship Teases

(36:14–39:58)

Nurse Casey’s Comic Relief:
- Casey (Kim Quinlan) gets standout comedic lines—“Well, well, well, Dr. Frost. Looks like you’re in an old-fashioned love triangle… But if you ever want to make that triangle a square, give me a call.” ([37:03])
- Both host and showrunner praise her “adorkable” presence and how real-life office gossip colors the hospital backdrop.
Novak & Frost, Love Triangles, and Flirtations:
- The Novak/Frost “bunny in the treehouse” scene is called out as risky to write but became a standout due to casting and writing chemistry.
- Writers coordinate between Med and Fire to keep romantic crossovers fun and layered ([39:22]).

7. Writing in the Writers’ Room – The Method

(27:05–28:21)

Storyboarding:
- Each character’s arc is mapped on a giant board per episode. Sometimes stories adapt or expand as new ideas take hold (“Jeremy Esme” storyline grew from three to four episodes).
Connected Storytelling:
- Alan McDonald: “I always look at those two episodes, the fall finale and the spring premiere as a two part episode … the stories are usually the same, connected.” ([28:01])

8. Standout Acting – Understated Performances

(40:46–43:54)

Praise for Ashley Sharp Chestnut (Dr. Naomi Howard):
- Alan reveals behind-the-scenes rewrites to flesh out her scenes and credits her for strong, subtle confession scenes about regret and professional boundaries.
Doctors are Humans Too:
- A central theme is the stark contrast between their expertise with patients and their own “screwed up” personal lives, enhancing the humanity at the heart of the show ([45:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“She knows this is in her. It’s like a ticking time bomb, but she has no idea when it’s gonna go off … drives her a little bit insane.”
-- Alan McDonald ([06:50])
“I am no longer afraid of dying. I don’t want to die, but I’m not afraid of it.”
-- Paraphrased Dr. Lennox ([09:25])
“Risk is like a drug, Looch ... every time she experiences it, she has to escalate it to get a better high off of it.”
-- Alan McDonald ([11:16])
“That was a big hero moment, and it was such a great entrance for a character that the audience loves but has not seen for a long time.”
-- Alan McDonald, re: Dr. Will Halstead’s return ([31:52])
“Sometimes you just feel it in the room. And that was one of those moments.”
-- Alan McDonald, on moving pitches in the writers’ room ([18:14])
“If you ever want to make that triangle a square, give me a call.”
-- Nurse Casey (Kim Quinlan) ([37:03])
“There's a real dynamic between them, and there's a real affection between them... They are truly gifted actors. And they truly feel like siblings.”
-- Alan McDonald, about Lennox and her brother ([47:40])

Important Timestamps

02:03: Jump into the Dr. Lennox cliffhanger and risk-taking
06:13–09:19: Writer’s room discussion and Lennox’s arc origins
10:07–13:32: The domestic violence storyline and its impact
15:16–16:29: Ripley’s character arc and connection with Lennox
19:23–21:20: Breaking form in “Triple Threat”—structure and POV
25:23: Emotional aftermath of filming “Triple Threat”
27:05–28:21: Storyboarding and interconnected episodes
31:44: Favorite moment—Dr. Will Halstead’s return
34:35–35:32: Making a powerful family flashback scene
36:16–39:58: Comic relief, love triangles, treehouse scene
40:46–43:54: Shout-outs to actor performances and nuanced confessions
46:10–47:53: Lennox’s sibling relationship and casting story
48:03–49:07: Teases for the rest of the season and what to expect

Looking Ahead: What Fans Can Expect

Major plotlines to come:
- The continuation of Dr. Hannah’s pregnancy arc and its impact on Archer
- Big episodes focused on Dr. Charles and his emotional journey ([48:41])
- More “rock star hero” moments for Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson)
- Emotional and character-driven stories with surprising pair-ups and evolving relationships

Conclusion

Catch Chicago Med Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC (or stream on Peacock). The One Chicago Podcast drops every Thursday.

wavePod

Summary

One Chicago Podcast: Deep Dive with Alan McDonald, Showrunner of Chicago Med

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Dr. Lennox Cliffhanger and Her Risk-Taking Arc

2. Risk, Death, and Emotional Authenticity

3. The Intertwined Domestic Abuse Storyline

4. Writing and Directing the Triple Threat Episode

5. Character Pairings and Relationship Dynamics

6. Humor and Heart – “Adorkable” and Ship Teases

7. Writing in the Writers’ Room – The Method

8. Standout Acting – Understated Performances

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Looking Ahead: What Fans Can Expect

Conclusion

Transcript

Summary

One Chicago Podcast: Deep Dive with Alan McDonald, Showrunner of Chicago Med

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Dr. Lennox Cliffhanger and Her Risk-Taking Arc

2. Risk, Death, and Emotional Authenticity

3. The Intertwined Domestic Abuse Storyline

4. Writing and Directing the Triple Threat Episode

5. Character Pairings and Relationship Dynamics

6. Humor and Heart – “Adorkable” and Ship Teases

7. Writing in the Writers’ Room – The Method

8. Standout Acting – Understated Performances

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Looking Ahead: What Fans Can Expect

Conclusion