Steven Weber, who plays Dr. Dean Archer in Chicago Med, discusses the potential for a romantic relationship between his character and Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram). The medical drama, part of the One Chicago franchise, follows the doctors and nurses at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center’s emergency department. While faced with many emergency medical cases throughout its ten-season run, several characters have also taken a chance to find love in their personal lives. Among the popular pairs include Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto) and Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss).
During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Weber was asked if there was a potential for a romance between Archer and Asher. He responded that the two have had a platonic relationship for several seasons, so there is nothing on the horizon for a romance. The star then elaborated on why a romantic plot was unnecessary. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding, with both characters already dealing with emotional baggage from past circumstances. Instead of rushing into intimacy, the show focuses on the emotional connection the two have already developed. Check out Weber’s commentary below:
Here’s the thing, while it’s interesting and fun to think of that possibility, the reality is for both these characters, as they’ve been crafted, is that they’re both kind of complicated, almost broken, fractured people. They’ve both had hard challenges in their lives, and it’s less about hooking up and more about making a connection.
And what we’ve seen is that Archer and Asher have an emotional connection, an intimacy that has been very hard for him to achieve, to allow somebody to care for him, and not in a physical way, but for something that’s even deeper. It would be easy for an audience to say, “Oh, look at these two characters. They get along. Oh, they’re reasonably attractive, although he looks like an old bag of laundry, but hey, let’s get ’em together. Let’s do that.” I think the writers are smarter than that. Not smarter because it’s not that it’s dumb, but they’re trying to do something else with it.
They’re trying to earn a relationship with them. If it ever gets physical, I don’t know. It’s certainly not going to be Gone With the Wind or anything like that. Again, these are two people who are complicated and it’s hard for them to find safety in another human being. So we’ll see. As it stands now, I love working with Jessy Schram. We have great fun, and I like to think there’s good chemistry. It is a good and fairly unique relationship on TV. You don’t see this type of thing.
What This Means for Chicago Med’s Characters & Relationships
The Series Focuses on Realistic Relationships Over Rushing Into Romance
By focusing on emotional intimacy instead of an idyllic connection, Chicago Med allows the characters to develop realistically. By not placing any romantic pressure on Archer and Asher’s bond, the medical series dedicates its character development to nuanced storytelling. Additionally, Hannah’s recent breakup with Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell) may be a driving force behind no new advancements. This motive offers a realistic portrayal of relationships that stem from shared trauma rather than superficial attraction.
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Additionally, the decision to avoid rushing Asher and Archer into a relationship underlines Chicago Med’s approach to developing their bond based on trust and support. This outlook also creates space for these characters to evolve individually, especially due to speculation that Archer may be resigning. Their relationship has the potential to grow naturally without the constraints of needing to quickly fit into a typical romantic framework.
Archer and Asher’s relationship reflects the challenges many people face with navigating relationships, and their circumstances are no exception. The writers chose to focus on their own emotional healing, allowing the two characters to grow in ways that don’t rely on romantic expectations. Their bond creates distinction in the Chicago Med’s storytelling, providing a unique perspective on how intimacy can flourish even without idealized romance at its core.
Our Take On Archer & Asher’s Connection
Asher & Archer’s Friendship is Enough for Chicago Med
Chicago Med’s focus on Archer and Asher’s emotional connection is a bold and refreshing choice. It reflects a deeper understanding of how relationships are often formed in real life, where vulnerability outweighs physical attraction. By taking this approach, the series provides a more genuine portrayal of connection that resonates with viewers seeking depth over formulaic love. This choice enriches the show’s characters and ensures their relationship remains grounded and meaningful throughout Chicago Med’s progression.
Chicago Med is a medical drama television series that follows the lives of the doctors and nurses of the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead, the show is the third series in Wolf Entertainment’s Chicago franchise. Chicago Med premiered on NBC in 2015, and occasionally has crossover events with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.
- Release Date
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November 17, 2015
- Cast
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Marlyne Barrett
, S. Epatha Merkerson
, Oliver Platt
, Nick Gehlfuss
, Brian Tee
, Lorena Diaz
, Yaya DaCosta
, Torrey DeVitto - Creator(s)
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Michael Brandt
, Derek Haas
, Matt Olmstead - Seasons
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8
- Story By
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Michael Brandt
- Writers
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Michael Brandt
- Directors
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Michael Brandt
- Showrunner
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Michael Brandt