Torrey DeVitto talks to THR about how the latest #OneChicago pairing stands apart.
Like Chicago P.D.'s 'Linstead' couple and Chicago Fire's 'Dawsey' before that, Dick Wolf's ever-growing Chicago franchise has become known for launching some of TV's most beloved couples. And Chicago Med has proven to be no exception.
Just halfway through its first season, the freshman medical drama has always spawned yet another closely followed will-they-or-won't-they pairing with 'Manstead,' i.e. Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) and Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto).
When speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at PaleyFest earlier this month, DeVitto said it didn't take long for her to realize there was more to their relationship below the surface.
"I kind of felt it from the beginning that they were pinning us together in that way," she said. "I mean Nick and I were both shocked at how many Manstead hashtags, we were laughing so hard when we saw that. [The fans] caught onto it, I feel like, before anybody else even did on our set. They were in."
So what is it about these two that generated such a loyal following so quickly? "Its really admirable when you watch their friendship. They support each other, they're both doctors, they know what they're going through," DeVitto said. "He's so sweet with the pregnancy and the baby and understanding all that so its just a really endearing relationship."
Her newborn baby (and the recent death of her husband) will continue to serve as an obstacle for the potential twosome. However, DeVitto says it's these complications that help 'Manstead' stand apart from the other Chicago couples.
"It's going to be different because Natalie has so much going on to juggle with," she said. "Its just a lot for her to juggle."
After Will first kissed her and admitted his feelings for her, Natalie said she simply wasn't ready to be more than friends. Learning to balance home and work responsibilities, as well as her grief, will continue to play a role going forward.
"There's so much still going to come up with that and I love getting to play a character like that because there are so many single working moms and I love that I get to tell that story," she said. "Its so admirable."
However, she did offer some hope for the future. "I don’t know how to say it without saying it but there's a lot," DeVitto said. "You're going to see more and its good.
Chicago Med airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
Chicago Med