Sarah Rafferty may be best known for her role as legal secretary Donna Roberta Paulsen in the legal dramaSuits,but she needs to revisit herChicago Medrole more. She portrayed Dr. Pamela Blake in the One Chicago medical series on the heels of Suits' ending. Both of her characters are charismatic, intelligent, and successful in their respective professions, and also fall in love with their co-workers. Paulsen’s complex relationship with Harvey Specter is one of the greatest pairings inSuits, while Blake’s mentorship and chemistry with Dr. Crockett Marcel is a major highlight inMed’s seventh season.
Rafferty’s characters were also faced with tricky situations, including Paulsen tackling tough cases and Blake’s complications after surgery on her hands. Fortunately, both managed to overcome their obstacles with tenacity and persistence. If Rafferty is to reprise one of these characters, however, it should be Dr. Blake because thisOne Chicagorole deserves more development after hercharacter leftChicago Med. By contrast, while Paulsen can return inSuits L.A., her story is already complete after a nine-season run onSuitsand marrying Specter in theSuitsseries finale.

Sarah Rafferty’s Role As Pamela Blake In Chicago Med Explained
Blake Was One Of The Best Chicago Med Characters In Season 7
Dr. Pamela Blake is introduced inChicago Medseason 7, episode 5, as the new leader of the transplant department. Blake instantly stands out among the doctors at Gaffney thanks to her quick thinking and distinguished skills when operating on patients. It didn’t take Blake long to acquaint herself withDr. Crockett Marcelby teaching him and having the doctor assist her with challenging transplant cases. Initially, Blake is stern with Marcel and the doctors under her mentorship, signifying how seriously she takes her job and leadership role. But throughout the season, she earns the respect of everyone at Gaffney.
Sarah Rafferty’s Dr. Pamela Blake made her first appearance inChicago Medin season 7, episode 5, and her final appearance in the season 8 premiere.

Blake and Marcel are great colleagues who develop a romantic relationship. However, this relationship takes some serious turns when Blake learns that her daughter, Avery Quinn, has feelings for Marcel. Avery’s interference doesn’t last long, but when Blake decides to trust Marcel to make medical decisions for her regarding numbness in her hands, she is distraught when her mobility doesn’t instantly return after surgery. Blake breaks up with Marcel because she believes he took advantage of her dilemma to take over her position at Gaffney.
Pamela Deserves Closure Or To Continue Her Story In Chicago Med
Donna Paulsen has already fulfilled her story inSuitsby rising from legal secretary to chief operations officer of the Pearson Specter Litt law firm. Paulsen’s working relationship withHarvey Specterand building their romantic bond over time further establish Donna as a bright and dominant presence onSuits. By contrast,Dr. Pamela Blake’s storyline inChicago Medis just getting started and deserves to continuebecause she wasn’t given a proper conclusion after the surgical procedure for her hands. Blake and Marcel have a final meeting, but it was a cold and unsatisfying goodbye for the transplant surgeon.
Chicago Med Season 10 Pays Off An Underrated Duo From The 2025 One Chicago Crossover (But With A Twist)
A surprising, but intriguing duo introduced during the 2025 One Chicago crossover on NBC returned in an episode of Chicago Med season 10.
Fortunately, Dr. Blake regained the full function of her hands after some recovery time. However, due to her contrasting views on Marcel’s medical decision-making for her, Blake doesn’t want to work with him at Gaffney anymore. It is revealed in season 8 that Blake plans to take a surgical position at a Boston hospital. This makes it challenging for Blake to ever make a return to Gaffney in the near future, but because of her familiarity with the staff and her tremendous work ethic, the surgeon could decide to go back to Chicago if she wants to.

How Rafferty’s Pamela Can Return In Chicago Med
Pamela Can Collide With Some Of The New Doctors In Med
While it seems unlikely that Dr. Blake will come back toChicago Med, it wouldn’t be impossible because theOne Chicagofranchise has a reputation for seeing beloved characters come and go. Having Blake return to Gaffney next season or sometime after that wouldn’t be out of the question. The show could reveal what happened to Blake after her final confrontation with Marcel, as well as a brief look at her work in Boston. Perhaps a complex transplant case linking the hospitals in Boston and Chicago could lead to a surprise appearance by Blake inMed.
Having Blake rejoin Gaffney next season could also lead to some intriguing confrontations with other doctors she hasn’t met yet, including Dr. Caitlin Lenox, who is reminiscent of Blake’s operating and leadership skills but with a much stricter outlook.

Although Dr. Marcel isn’t a part ofChicago Medanymore either, he could also return to the show after his sudden departure in order for him to make amends with Blake or even rekindle their relationship. Having Blake rejoin Gaffney next season could also lead to some intriguing confrontations with other doctors she hasn’t met yet, including Dr. Caitlin Lenox, who is reminiscent of Blake’s operating and leadership skills but with a much stricter outlook. Dr. Blake should have her story extended for a few more seasons to prove she still has what it takes to work at Gaffney.




