Reasons Behind Noah Sexton’s Departure from Chicago Med: Understanding Roland Buck III’s Exit from One Chicago

Trigger Warning: This article includes references to suicide.

The character of Noah Sexton has seen many ups and downs throughout his time at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center on NBC’s Chicago Med. For instance, introduced in season 1, episode 5 titled “Malignant,”Noah is portrayed by Roland Buck III and is the younger sibling of April Sexton, another critical character in the show. Despite being backed by their family, who funded his medical education, Noah managed to carve out his own identity in a high-pressure emergency medicine residency.

Although Noah initially struggled in his formative days at the hospital—freezing during rotations and inadvertently taking credit for a colleague’s work—he eventually earned the respect of his peers, thanks in part to April’s unwavering love and encouragement. His progression to a Resident in General Surgery was a significant achievement, but this success took a troubling turn in season 6.

Noah Sexton’s Departure from Chicago Med Season 6

The Circumstances of Noah’s Firing

Roland Buck III as Noah Sexton in Chicago Med
Maggie Lockwood and Noah Sexton in Chicago Med
April Sexton and Noah Sexton in Chicago Med
Another scene of April and Noah Sexton in Chicago Med
Noah Sexton in Chicago Med

Initially showcased as a recurring character in the first five seasons, Noah’s prominence dwindled in season 6 when his role was reduced to a guest appearance. This shift culminated in his exit during episode 5, “When Your Heart Rules Your Head.”The events leading to his departure were particularly dramatic, as Noah faced termination after a grave error in judgment.

During this episode, Noah and Dr. Crockett Marcel treated a patient advocating for assisted suicide, having previously aided his terminally ill wife in her death. Despite an emotional struggle, Noah believed that the patient’s choice should be honored and, in a critical lapse, left a dangerous amount of lidocaine on the bedside table. This act was discovered by Ethan Choi, resulting in Noah being dismissed for negligence, marking an abrupt end to his tenure as a resident.

April, desperate to shield her brother from legal consequences, pleaded with Choi to withhold police involvement; however, the gravity of Noah’s actions compelled Choi to remove him from the hospital staff entirely.

The Reasons Behind Roland Buck III’s Departure

Uncertainty Surrounding the Actor’s Exit

Roland Buck III as Noah Sexton in Chicago Med

While the narrative factors leading to Noah’s exit are clear, the exact reasoning behind Roland Buck III’s departure remains undisclosed. According to Looper, the departure could stem from two possibilities: Buck III might have voluntarily chosen to leave, or the writers could have felt that the storyline had reached its natural conclusion.

Character

Actor

Dr. Will Halstead

Nick Gehlfuss

April Sexton

Yaya DaCosta

Dr. Natalie Manning

Torrey DeVitto

Dr. Sarah Reese

Rachel DiPillo

Dr. Connor Rhodes

Colin Donnell

Dr. Ethan Choi

Brian Tee

Sharon Goodwin

S. Epatha Merkerson

Dr. Daniel Charles

Oliver Platt

Maggie Lockwood

Marlyne Barrett

Dr. Ava Bekker

Norma Kuhling

Dr. Crockett Marcel

Dominic Rains

Dr. Dean Archer

Steven Weber

Dr. Hannah Asher

Jessy Schram

Dr. Mitch Ripley

Luke Mitchell

Dr. Caitlin Lenox

Sarah Ramos

Dr. John Frost

Darren Barnet

It is possible the creative team behind Chicago Med opted for a plot evolution, or perhaps Buck III wished to pursue new opportunities. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s noteworthy that the show chose a narrative exit rather than a dramatic death for Noah.

Is there a chance Noah Sexton could return to Chicago Med?

Noah’s Brief Return in Season 8

April Sexton and Ethan Choi's wedding in Chicago Med.

Fortunately for fans of Chicago Med, Noah remains part of the One Chicago universe, which opens the door for potential returns in future episodes. Indeed, Roland Buck III made a cameo during season 8, episode 9, titled “This Could Be the Start of Something New.”In this episode, he appeared as one of the groomsmen at April’s wedding to Dr. Ethan Choi, alongside notable characters like Marcel, Will Halstead, and Dean Archer.

Given the importance of family in the narrative, Noah’s appearance at April’s wedding felt both fitting and necessary. While the show’s writers may be inventive enough to craft further appearances for him, whether they choose to do so remains uncertain.

For more updates on Roland Buck III’s journey after leaving Chicago Med, visit Looper.

Source & Images

© 2021 The Filibuster Blog