Why Is Kristen Hager Leaving 'Chicago Med'?

Kristen Hager has departed her role as Dr. Stevie Hammer in Chicago Med, at least for now.

The actor had joined the NBC medical drama as a series regular for Season 7, which premiered on September 22, 2021. However, she has not appeared in an episode of the show since its 14th episode on March 2.

Here is everything you need to know about Hager's character and her exit.

Why is Kristen Hager Leaving 'Chicago Med'?

Chicago Med has recently had a cast shake-up following the departures of Yaya DaCosta and Torrey DeVitto as series' regulars at the end of Season 6.

Hager joined as Stevie, a physician in the emergency department, at the start of Season 7, and she was set to be a new series regular, even appearing to be having a will-they-won't-they romance with Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss).

However, in Episode 14, Hager's character reconciled with her bipolar mother and chose to return to Michigan, where she could also try and patch things up with her estranged husband and give their marriage another shot.

Since her decision to move, Stevie has not been seen in the emergency department in Chicago Med, and while the door is left open for her return, the character may well remain in Michigan.

Meanwhile, Gehlfuss' character had an old flame come back into his life as Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) has returned to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center after tackling her drug addiction and being two-years sober.

Those working behind-the-scenes on the show have shared the reason behind the departure of Hager's character and the potential of a return.

Executive producers Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov said in a statement to TVLine: "Her story arc with her mother ended. But we all really liked Kristen and would welcome her character coming back in the future."

In an interview with Variety, Frolov said of the character: "What's happening with Stevie right now is she's going back to try and reconnect with her husband and make that work.

"So we're leaving that up in the air. Does that in fact happen? She is a character that has the potential to return."

Hager, for her part, has not commented officially on her departure from Chicago Med so she could well return to the NBC show in the future. She is currently expecting a child with her husband Matt Jones.

Newsweek has contacted Hager's representatives for further comment.

Chicago Med airs on NBC every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT, and it is released alongside Chicago Fire and Chicago PD.