‘Code Black’
Malaya Pineda (Melanie Chandra) will no longer work at Angels Memorial in “Code Black” Season 3. But how will her departure be written into the show? CBS

“Code Black” Season 3 will no longer feature lesbian character Malaya Pineda.

According to TV Line, Melanie Chandra, who played the role of Malaya since Season 1, will no longer be part of the upcoming episodes. But her departure would mean the arrival of two new characters. “Scream” actor Tyler Perez has just been cast in a recurring role as Diego, a very rich and handsome young man who has everything handed to him. One of his recent privileges is a residency at Angels Memorial.

Read: Moon Bloodgood cast in “Code Black” Season 3 as Rox

“Nashville” star Chaley Rose, on the other hand, has been cast as a guest star. She will play the role of Pepper, a new resident who is very smart but may not be tailor fit for the intensity of the hospital. Pepper will appear in the Season 3 premiere of “Code Black.”

Last month, CBS announced the casting of Moon Bloodgood in Season 3. The “Falling Skies” alum will play the recurring role of Rox. Described as a sassy and competitive paramedic, Rox will also become Dr. Willis’ (Rob Lowe) new ride-along partner. Previously, executive producer Michael Seitzman told TV Line that Dr. Willis will change the focus of his training to field medicine in Season 3. As a result, majority of his shifts will take place in an ambulance or chopper.

Meanwhile, “Code Black” Season 3 was surprisingly renewed by CBS in May. According to Variety, the ratings for the first two seasons of “Code Black” have been decent. However, the Marcia Gay Harden-starrer still ranked as one of the lowest-rated scripted series on CBS. Season 2 averaged a total of six million viewers and a 1.0 demo rating among adults aged 18 to 49.

“Code Black” follows the lives of the residents of Angels Memorial who work in the ER. Other characters include Jesse (Luis Guzman), Mario (Ben Hollingsworth), Angus (Harry Ford), Dr. Rollie Guthrie (William Allen Young), Risa (Angela Relucio), Heather (Jillian Murray), Will (Boris Kodjoe), Dr. Elliott Dixon (Noah Gray-Cabey) and more.

“Code Black” Season 3 will premiere on CBS sometime in 2018.

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