A City of Tears: The Most Upsetting Departures in ‘One Chicago’ History 🏙️
The One Chicago universe—comprising Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med—has become a television institution, thanks to its compelling characters and high-stakes drama. But with great storytelling comes great heartbreak, and no franchise has been better at delivering gut-wrenching farewells than this one. Over the years, a constant stream of cast departures has left fans in a state of mourning, whether the characters were killed off in a shocking twist or simply chose to leave for a new life. These exits were not just the end of a character’s journey; they were a profound shift in the show’s dynamics and a test of its ability to move on. This article chronicles ten of the most upsetting departures in One Chicago history, from the tragic and sudden to the slow and painful.
10. Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire) 💔
Leslie Shay’s (Lauren German) death in the Season 3 premiere of Chicago Fire was a shocking and devastating loss. After a massive explosion in the Season 2 finale, the fate of the entire crew of Firehouse 51 was left hanging in the balance. The Season 3 premiere delivered the heartbreaking news that Shay had been killed by a falling pipe. Her death was the franchise’s first major character loss and a defining moment for the show. The subsequent grief of her best friend, Kelly Severide, and her partner, Gabriela Dawson, was palpable and beautifully portrayed. It was a loss that was felt by every member of the firehouse and a reminder that even the most beloved characters were not safe.
9. Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Chicago Fire) 🚒
The death of Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov) in the Season 8 premiere was another gut punch for fans. A beloved original cast member and a source of much of the show’s humor, Otis died in the line of duty during a mattress factory fire. As the explosion erupted, he was thrown against a steel door. His final words to Joe Cruz, in Russian, were “Brother, I will be with you always,” a moment that was both tragic and poetic. Otis’s death was a shock to the system, a reminder that heroism often comes at a price. His memorial and the subsequent grief of his friends, especially Cruz, were some of the most emotionally charged moments in the show’s history.
8. Dr. Connor Rhodes (Chicago Med) 🩺
Dr. Connor Rhodes’ (Colin Donnell) exit was a different kind of heartbreak. After the sudden, and suspicious, death of his father, the charismatic and brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon found himself in a complex and painful storyline involving his former lover, Dr. Ava Becker (Norma Kuhling). It was ultimately revealed that Ava had murdered his father and then died by suicide. The emotional toll of these events was too much for Connor to bear, and he decided to leave the hospital for good. His departure was upsetting because it was a tragic end for a character who had so much potential and a sad conclusion to a storyline that felt almost Shakespearean in its drama.
7. Erin Lindsay (Chicago P.D.) 🚔
Erin Lindsay’s (Sophia Bush) departure was one of the most talked-about in the franchise’s history. For four seasons, she was the moral compass of the Intelligence Unit, a tough but compassionate detective who had overcome a difficult past. Her decision to leave was driven by a culmination of personal and professional turmoil, leading her to take a federal job in New York. While her exit felt like a natural progression for the character, it was upsetting to fans because it signaled the end of an era for the Intelligence Unit and the fan-favorite partnership with her mentor, Hank Voight, and her love interest, Jay Halstead. Years later, Sophia Bush revealed that her departure was also influenced by a toxic work environment and “abusive behavior” on set, which added a layer of real-life heartbreak to the on-screen farewell.
6. Alvin Olinsky (Chicago P.D.) 💔
Alvin Olinsky’s (Elias Koteas) death was one of the most shocking and brutal in the series. The original member of the Intelligence Unit and a fiercely loyal friend to Hank Voight, Olinsky’s loyalty ultimately led to his demise. He was arrested for the murder of his son’s killer, a crime he did not commit but took the fall for to protect Voight. While in prison, he was targeted and stabbed. His death in the Season 5 finale was a violent and upsetting end for a character who had been a quiet but steady presence on the show. It was a loss that haunted the Intelligence Unit for seasons to come, especially Voight, who was driven to avenge his friend’s death.
5. Gabriela Dawson (Chicago Fire) 👩🚒
The departure of Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund) was a painful one for fans, particularly because it severed her relationship with Matthew Casey. The pair, who had been the central couple of the series, finally got married and were raising a foster child. But Dawson’s desire to help others abroad took precedence, and she decided to move to Puerto Rico to work for a non-profit. Her exit was a blow to the show’s central romance and left Casey heartbroken. While she made a few guest appearances, her departure felt like a final goodbye to a character who had been a pivotal part of the show’s first six seasons.
4. Dr. Natalie Manning (Chicago Med) 👩⚕️
Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto) was one of the original and most beloved characters on Chicago Med. Her journey was filled with romance, heartbreak, and professional challenges. Her departure was both upsetting and controversial. In the Season 6 finale, Natalie confessed to stealing experimental drugs for her mother and was fired. While the story was a way to write her off the show, many fans felt it was a strange and out-of-character way to end her journey. Her exit left a significant void in the hospital and ended her on-again, off-again romance with Dr. Will Halstead, a relationship that had been a central focus of the show since its inception.
3. Antonio Dawson (Chicago P.D./Justice) 🥃
Antonio Dawson’s (Jon Seda) exit was a rollercoaster of emotions. After a long career on Chicago P.D., he moved to Chicago Justice and then returned after its cancellation. His final storyline involved a struggle with addiction to pain medication, a deeply personal and difficult arc. His departure was abrupt and left many questions unanswered. Fans felt that his storyline was “played out” and that he was unceremoniously written off the show to make room for new characters. The unresolved nature of his struggles with addiction made his departure particularly frustrating for viewers who had invested in his character for years.
2. Matthew Casey (Chicago Fire) 🔥
The departure of Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) was a monumental loss for Chicago Fire. As the show’s original leading man, Casey was the heart and soul of Firehouse 51. His decision to leave in Season 10 was a difficult one for both the character and the actor. Casey left to take care of the sons of his late friend, Andy Darden, in Oregon. His farewell was a beautiful and emotional one, but it left a void that the show has struggled to fill. Casey’s return for Sylvie Brett’s wedding in Season 12 brought some closure, but his absence as a regular cast member is still deeply felt by fans.
1. Jay Halstead (Chicago P.D.) 💔
Jay Halstead’s (Jesse Lee Soffer) exit in Season 10 was arguably the most upsetting departure in One Chicago history. As a fan-favorite, a central love interest for Hailey Upton, and a moral counterbalance to Hank Voight, his character was an integral part of the show’s DNA. His exit was both abrupt and unsatisfying for many. Halstead chose to leave Intelligence and return to his roots in the Army to hunt down drug cartels in Bolivia. The decision felt rushed and out of character, especially given his recent marriage to Hailey. His departure created a massive hole in the show, both romantically and professionally, and his absence continues to be a central part of the show’s ongoing narrative.
