When Matt Casey left Chicago Fire in Season 10, fans were heartbroken. But what unfolded behind the scenes was even more dramatic than the goodbye we saw on screen — because Jesse Spencer, the actor behind the beloved firefighter, didn’t initially plan to walk away.
Officially, the narrative was simple: Casey moves to Oregon to care for the sons of a fallen firefighter. But insiders reveal that Jesse’s decision to leave was filled with hesitation, emotion, and internal battles about loyalty — both to the fans and to himself.
“He was torn,” said a longtime writer on the show. “He loved the character. He loved the cast. But he was burnt out.”
After nearly a decade of playing the brave, noble Matt Casey, Jesse Spencer felt he was losing touch with himself. Filming 22 episodes a year, with emotionally intense storylines and high-stakes action, had taken its toll. “You could see the exhaustion in his eyes,” one crew member recalled. “He gave everything in every scene.”
What fans didn’t know is that Jesse was quietly considering his exit as early as Season 9. But it was his decision to keep it a secret from most of the cast that created tension. “When he finally told people, some were hurt,” said an assistant producer. “He didn’t want anyone trying to talk him out of it.”
The most emotional reactions came from co-stars Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett) and Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide), both of whom had become like family. “There were tears,” a makeup artist confirmed. “Especially from Kara. They had built something real.”
Even more surprising? A romantic proposal scene between Casey and Brett was filmed — but never aired. It was intended to give closure, but Jesse allegedly felt it would “box in the character.” The scene was cut at the last minute.
“He wanted Casey’s future to feel open,” said someone close to the actor. “Like he wasn’t done. Just… away.”
Jesse’s final day on set was quiet. No speeches. No goodbyes in front of the crew. He wrapped, hugged a few people, and left before sunset. “It felt like a funeral,” one stunt coordinator said. “Everyone knew it was the end of an era.”
Since leaving, Jesse has stayed mostly out of the spotlight — though fans erupted when he returned for a guest appearance in Season 11. But as of now, there’s no permanent comeback planned.
For fans still rewatching his final scenes, one question lingers: did Matt Casey leave to do the right thing… or did Jesse Spencer leave to save himself?
Whatever the truth, one thing is clear — the firehouse hasn’t felt the same since.
