One Chicago’s Most Heartbreaking Exits
If there’s one thing Dick Wolf isn’t afraid of, it’s killing off a beloved character. A fact that fans of the One Chicago universe — ie. Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. — know all too well.
The franchise kicked off in 2012 with Chicago Fire; after its success, Chicago P.D. was launched in 2014 and Chicago Med followed in 2015. However, the cast of each show has changed drastically through the years. While some characters were killed off – RIP Leslie Shay – others exited the show because they felt it was time.
Monica Raymund, who was a series regular on Chicago Fire from its debut, decided to hang up her hose in 2018. “It has been an honor to play Dawson on Chicago Fire and one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I am so thankful for the journey and especially to all of you for watching, but I have made the decision that it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter in life,” she wrote on Twitter at the time. “I’ll always be proud to have played a fierce paramedic with such an incredible cast and crew. On to the next! See you on the ice. Love, Monica.”
That said – the end isn’t always the end. Dawson wasn’t killed on the show, but took a job in Puerto Rico, and creator Derek Haas is hopeful that someday she’ll return. “It’s not the end as far as I’m concerned. It may not happen right away, but there is more of that story to be told,” he tweeted after her announcement. “I hope we keep going for seasons to come and get a chance to tell it. I won’t stop hoping if you won’t.”
While that may work for Dawson – still hoping she’ll return someday – other characters were shockingly killed off. Scroll through our gallery for some of the most shocking One Chicago departures.
After appearing in the show for six seasons, DaCosta will not return to Chicago Med for season 7.
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
In May 2021, DeVitto announced she will be leaving Chicago Med at the end of season 6.
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Which Show: Chicago Fire
What Happened: Rae's character, Gianna Mackey, accepted a new job during season 9 after only appearing on 10 episodes. "Adriyan let us know she had some private reasons to leave Chicago," showrunner Derek Haas said following the exit. "To hear that as a showrunner, you absolutely respect what an actor needs. All I can say is we love her and I know she's going to be great on some other series."
Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC
Which Show: Chicago Fire
What Happened: In the season 8 premiere, Sardarov’s character, Brian “Otis” Zvonecek, was killed off in a basement fire. Co-creator Derek Haas confirmed to Us Weekly at the time that it was his decision to write off Otis, and that Sardarov was extremely gracious when he was told the news. Otis’ final words were in Russian to his best friend, Cruz: “Brother, I will be with you, always.”
Elizabeth Morris/NBC
Which show: Chicago Med
What happened: Days after season 4 wrapped in April 2019, news broke that Colin Donnell was exiting the series, much to everyone’s surprise. Donnell played Dr. Connor Rhodes since the series’ 2015 premiere. Following the news, he shared a photo of the cast on Instagram, thanking them, as well as the crew and the fans. “These people have made my heart full for the last four seasons. I love and appreciate every gift they’ve given to me,” he wrote. “Thank you to all the fans who’ve made Connor what he is on #ChicagoMed. The show doesn’t exist without you and I know that there are exciting things in store for you all in the seasons to come!”
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Which show: Chicago P.D.
What happened: Jon Seda, who portrayed Detective Antonio Dawson, was part of Chicago P.D. when it premiered in 2012. He briefly left the series in 2017 to join the Chicago Justice spinoff, but when Justice was canceled after one season, P.D. brought Seda back. After wrapping season 6, NBC revealed he would not be returning in April 2019. “It’s been an honor portraying Det. Antonio Dawson in the #OneChicago world,” Seda posted to Twitter after the news. “To my cast #Family, I’ll always treasure the time and stories we shared. To all you #chihards out there, THANK YOU for being the best of fans! We’ll Always have CHICAGO.”
Matt Dinerstein
Which show: Chicago Med
What happened: After two years playing Dr. Ava Bekker, Norma Kuhling’s exit was announced in April 2019, days after season 4 wrapped. “Really going to miss this family, but feeling nothing but gratitude,” she shared on Instagram at the time. “A huge thank you to @nbc and @dickwolf for bringing me on board, to the best cast and crew imaginable, and finally to the fans for making these shows what they are."
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Which show: Chicago Fire
What happened: After season 6 wrapped, Monica Raymund announced that Gabriela Dawson would not be returning and that she had decided to leave the show to focus more on directing. She was part of the series since its 2012 debut. Dawson made a surprise appearance in the season 7 premiere and Haas revealed to Us Weekly that the actress is welcome to come back at any time.
Elizabeth Morris/NBC
Which show: Chicago Med
What happened: Mekia Cox joined season 2 of Chicago Med as Dr. Charles’ daughter, Robin. After one season, Cox exited the series – her character left town – due to being promoted to a regular on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. However, Cox returned at the second half of season 4.
Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
Which show: Chicago Fire
What happened: While he was never a series regular, Treat Williams recurred throughout the first seven seasons of Chicago Fire, playing Severide’s dad, Benny. In a shocking twist, he died midway through the season of a heart attack.
Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Which show: Chicago P.D.
What happened: At the end of season 5, Elias Koteas’ Alvin Olinsky was stabbed in prison and later died in the hospital, leaving the cast, crew and fans of the series heartbroken. “It just evolved from a storytelling perspective,” showrunner Rick Eid told Us at the time of the decision.
Parrish Lewis/NBC
Which show: Chicago P.D.
What happened: Sophia Bush had one of the most shocking exits in the franchise, suddenly leaving the show at the end of season 4 after leading the series as Detective Erin Lindsay. While Bush has never fully revealed why she left, ending her contract early, she’s hinted at it in many interviews, saying that she “didn’t feel respected” in the environment.
Matt Dinerstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Which show: Chicago Fire
What happened: Charlie Barnett portrayed Peter Mills until his surprise exit at the end of season 3. EP Matt Olmstead explained at the time that they wrote him off the show – Mills moved away – strictly to create room to bring in new characters.
Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Which show: Chicago Fire
What happened: In 2014, Chicago Fire fans were shocked when Lauren German, who portrayed Leslie Shay, was killed in a fire during the season 3 premiere. Her death shook up the entire firehouse – as well as the rest of the Chicago universe – and left viewers absolutely devastated.
Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. air on NBC Wednesdays beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
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