His main concern was Daytons insistence on using the O.R.
2.0. even after a machine error caused the death of a patient and couldve also claimed Daytons life.
So to stay afloat financially, Dayton sells the hospital.
CHICAGO MED – “Row Row Row Your Boat on a Rocky Sea” Episode 09001 – Pictured: (l-r) Steven Webber as Dr. Dean Archer, Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah AsherGeorge Burns Jr/NBC
DEADLINE: Its been so long since we last caught up with the folks at Gaffney.
What have they been up to all this time?
DIANE FROLOV:Well, quite a bit.
(l-r) Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher, Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood
The hospital was sold to a conglomerate business consortium, so thats been taken care of.
Oh, I wanted to add one thing.
We didnt think it was realistic to jump back right after the finale.
So this premiere takes place six months after the finale.
FROLOV & SCHNEIDER:Exactly.
DEADLINE: How will the new board affect our characters and the hospital?
SCHNEIDER:Well, theyre business people.
But we dont deal with that in the premiere episode.
All we learn is that they have new owners and that they are business people.
FROLOV:They will also discover theres a conflict of interest on the part of a board member.
And that is something that boards do, have a physician representing the doctors.
So he will be involved a little bit more with whats going on with the administration as well.
DEADLINE: Does this new role change him?
FROLOV:Well, hell have new responsibilities.
So yeah, he will become a little bit of a different character.
Its a new role for him.
Hes also been working on the 2.0 and trying to fix it so it can be used.
DEADLINE: Maggie (Marlyne Barrett) had some personal drama last season.
SCHNEIDER:Right, theres some fallout from what happened last season.
Could a divorce be in her future?
SCHNEIDER:Well, thats a sad thought, isnt it?
FROLOV:Yeah, but a lot went on with Ben (Charles Malik).
DEADLINE: Is there a possibility shed reunite with her longtime love?
After that heart-to-heart in the Season 8 finale, where are they now?
FROLOV:We wont see Liliana in the first episode but she did move in with him.
We love Alet who plays Liliana, shes so terrific.
The two of them just work; they have great chemistry.
SCHNEIDER:But down the line, her brother will be a problem.
FROLOV:Hes a bit of a pariah.
Hes got his own problems that cloud his judgment.
DEADLINE: This is a shorter season but could wedding bells be in their future?
SCHNEIDER:You know what?
Hope is always there.
DEADLINE: The big news of the season is the addition of Luke Mitchell as Dr. Mitch Ripley.
What can you tease about the character?
FROLOV:There will be a lot of conflict between him and Charles.
We wont tip it just yet.
DEADLINE: Do you have any plans for her personal life?
Is anyone lined up on his dance card?
FROLOV & SCHNEIDER:Sure.
Deadline: just tell us who.
SCHNEIDER:Well, look at who we have available.
SCHNEIDER:Well, thats a possibility but hes a very handsome guy in the E.D.
Were going to mix things up.
FROLOV:And hes going to have to deal with that past and some mistakes he made.
SCHNEIDER:Hes got a bit of soul-searching to do.
He will continue to be the great and wise psychiatrist, but hell have some soul-searching to do.
DEADLINE: Archer was put through the wringer last season with his health struggles.
Thats absolutely what is happening.
They have a great scene in that first episode.
Archer too, has to evolve.
He has to accept his sons gift, and thats very hard for him.
But it does bring them closer together.
DEADLINE: Archer though is a rule-breaker.
Could we see trouble catch up to him?
SCHNEIDER:We dont have any plans immediately to have trouble catching up with him.
FROLOV:I see him having to manage a new resident and she causes a lot of trouble.
So hes going to be dealing with other people causing trouble in the E.D.
SCHNEIDER:Hes the Chief of the E.D.
now so its a funny position for him to be in now, but its so different.
DEADLINE: Would you say were missing out on a lot due to the shorter season?
SCHNEIDER:Well, we have 9 episodes [left].
[Laughs] We have to come to our season arcs more quickly because its a shortened season.
DEADLINE: Do you already know how the season will end?
SCHNEIDER:Rosy, were not there yet.
So were working it out.
DEADLINE: It must be a very exciting time in the writers room right now.
FROLOV:It is because were watching what is happening with the characters as were going along.
Its a whole different energy.
SCHNEIDER:Right now, nobody is tired.
Were currently shooting episode four and prepping five.
Everyone is working on double expressos right now.
Thisinterviewhas been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
