The fifth season of FOX’s medical series “The Resident” witnesses a series of startling developments in the life of Chastain’s chief of surgery, Billie Sutton. She meets her estranged son Trevor and reunites with him but loses her best friend Nic in a car accident. As the season progresses, Billie’s turbulent life becomes even more complicated when she meets Robert Porter, who raped her when she was thirteen.
Billie’s attempts to stop Porter from becoming more powerful backfire when Porter resurfaces about her past. With her job at Chastain hanging by a thread, Jessica Lucas fans have to wonder if the hardships will lead to the end of Billie’s time on the show. Let’s find out! FRONT SPOILERS.
What happened to Billie Sutton?
From Dr. Bell, Billie learns that Robert Porter, who raped her when she was thirteen, is vying for a seat on the Georgia State Medical Board. Realizing that such a sexual predator should not occupy a responsible and influential position, she files an ethics complaint against the famous doctor. Even though the complaint fails to convince the council that Porter is a rapist, Billie’s actions shake him as he seeks to have a clean criminal record. He proclaims that he will destroy her career if she chooses not to withdraw her complaint. Billie fires him and decides to fight him.
Billie’s brave stance prompts Porter to incite Twitter attacks against the surgeon. Hundreds of tweets reveal that she operated on a patient as a resident without her supervisor, which resulted in the patient becoming a paraplegic. Although Billie manages to prove her claims to Trevor, her past still stands in her way. The Twitter attack drives Billie’s patients out of the hospital by banning her from performing surgeries. As her career at Chastain comes to a head, fans are worried about whether she will eventually leave the hospital, which will lead to Jessica Lucas’ exit from the medical drama. Let’s see!
Is Jessica Lucas leaving The Resident?
When Porter launches the attack on Twitter to take down Billie, CEO Dr. Kit offers Billie her support. She does her best to convince the council members that a mistake as a resident does not invalidate Billie’s value and effectiveness as a surgeon. Still, the members demote Kit from his position as CEO due to the predicament. Given the number of patients leaving hospital, the board may not be convinced by logic and reasons alone. Thus, Billie’s career at Chastain is in jeopardy, paving the way for the potential exit of Jessica Lucas.
However, the lack of an official statement from FOX or Jessica regarding Billie’s supposed departure points to the possibility that there is nothing to worry about about the actress’ future on the show. Additionally, in a February 2022 interview, Jessica revealed that there was more to Billie’s storyline to explore, particularly regarding her relationship with Trevor and Conrad. According to Jessica, Billie and Trevor’s turbulent relationship will see a major development in episode 16. The actress also teased that an incredible romance or friendship between Billie and Conrad is also a possibility.
Given these factors, we think Jessica Lucas should continue to star in “The Resident.” In Bell and Kit, Billie has two friends and mentors who will fight for her even if the board is unconvinced by the neurosurgeon. The result of Trevor and Porter’s DNA test should motivate the board to support Billie. In a few days, we can expect the heat around the case to calm down and Billie to continue her practice as usual.
Read more: Will Conrad and Kincaid reunite in The Resident? Theories
