For more than a decade, NBC’s One Chicago franchise has built a television empire around courage, family, and sacrifice. Across Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med, fans have watched their favorite firefighters, cops, and doctors risk everything — and sometimes lose it all. But heading into the 2025–2026 network TV season, the heartbreak won’t just happen on-screen. Off-screen, fans are bracing for a wave of exits that will leave a lasting impact on Firehouse 51, the Intelligence Unit, and Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.
Some departures are permanent. Others, intriguingly, leave the door cracked open for a return. Either way, the One Chicago universe is about to look very different.
Chicago Med: A Founding Star Bids Farewell
Marlyne Barrett (Maggie Lockwood)
Since 2015, Maggie Lockwood has been the beating heart of Chicago Med. As the ED’s charge nurse, Maggie was more than just a medical professional — she was the glue that held the team together, the compassionate voice for patients, and a steady presence through 10 intense seasons.
That’s why fans were stunned to learn that Marlyne Barrett is leaving in Season 11. With her departure, only two original stars remain from the pilot episode.
The reason behind Barrett’s exit hasn’t been made public, though reports cite personal considerations. The Season 10 finale gave no hint that Maggie was on her way out, meaning her farewell could come in any form — a transfer, a sabbatical, or a sudden life change. Fortunately, producers reportedly want to keep the door open for her return. Unlike some of the series’ more brutal write-offs, Maggie’s exit won’t end in tragedy. But the absence of her warmth and wisdom will be felt deeply.
Chicago PD: A Short-Lived Fan Favorite Checks Out
Toya Turner (Officer Kiana Cook)
On Chicago PD, new recruits don’t always last long — and unfortunately, Officer Kiana Cook is the latest example. Introduced in Season 12 as a tactical officer turned patrol cop who earned a coveted spot in Voight’s Intelligence Unit, Cook brought a fresh energy to the show. Her bond with Kim Burgess and Dante Torres hinted at exciting storylines to come.
Instead, fans learned that Toya Turner’s time on the show has already ended. After just 21 episodes, Cook made her final appearance in the Season 12 finale.
NBC hasn’t clarified why Turner is leaving. Some speculate it’s creative redirection, while others point to the budget cuts affecting the entire franchise. Whatever the reason, it’s unclear how Chicago PD will write her out. Given the show’s history of shocking character deaths, Cook could easily be killed in the line of duty. On the other hand, the writers may opt for a quieter exit — a reassignment, a resignation, or a move out of Chicago. Fans will have to wait until Season 13 to see her fate.
Chicago Fire: A Mass Exodus at Firehouse 51
If Chicago Med and Chicago PD are losing one player each, Chicago Fire is facing something closer to an overhaul. With three confirmed exits, Season 14 is shaping up to be one of the most transitional in Firehouse 51’s history.
Jake Lockett (Sam Carver)
Carver’s exit may be the toughest for fans to swallow. Introduced in Season 11, Sam Carver quickly grew into a layered character — flawed, fiery, but deeply loyal. His struggles with addiction, family tension, and a turbulent romance with Violet Mikami made him one of the most human and relatable firefighters in recent memory.
Yet budget cuts sealed his fate. In the Season 13 finale, Carver revealed he had requested a transfer to the Denver Fire Department. The goodbye was bittersweet: Violet, heartbroken but supportive, kissed him one last time. Unless NBC changes its mind, Carver’s new life in Denver means Jake Lockett is gone from Chicago Fire.
Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter)
Another victim of the budget axe is Darren Ritter, played by Daniel Kyri since Season 7. Ritter has been a quiet fan favorite — compassionate, determined, and a vital part of the firehouse family. Unlike Carver, though, Ritter will get closure. Kyri is set to return for the start of Season 14, though only for a limited run.
Whether Ritter leaves by choice, gets promoted elsewhere, or faces tragedy is still unknown. But fans will at least get a chance to say goodbye properly.
Michael Bradway (Jack Damon)
Last but not least, Severide’s younger half-brother is leaving just as he was starting to find his place. Michael Bradway joined in Season 12 as Jack Damon, the surprise son of Benny Severide. His budding relationship with Kelly, his romance with paramedic Lizzie Novak, and his rookie energy made him an exciting addition to Firehouse 51.
But Bradway has booked a leading role in Prime Video’s Every Year After, adapted from Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel. Scheduling conflicts forced his exit. Unlike Carver and Ritter, Damon’s departure may not be final — Bradway’s door seems wide open for guest appearances down the road.
What These Exits Mean for the One Chicago Franchise
After 36 seasons and 728 episodes, change is nothing new for One Chicago. Cast exits have shaped the franchise time and again, from Shay’s shocking death in Fire to Antonio Dawson’s quiet departure from PD. But the cluster of exits in 2025 is different: it represents a turning point.
For fans, the heartbreak is real. But it also signals new beginnings. With veterans stepping away, Season 14 of Fire, Season 13 of PD, and Season 11 of Med will have room to introduce fresh faces, take bolder storytelling risks, and re-center around the characters who remain.
And in the One Chicago universe, no goodbye is ever truly final. Whether it’s through a cameo, a flashback, or a surprise return, these exits may not be forever.
🔥 Bottom line: 2025 is a year of heartbreak for One Chicago fans. But just as the shows’ characters pick themselves up after tragedy, so too will the franchise. With change comes possibility — and the future of Firehouse 51, Intelligence, and Gaffney ED has never been more uncertain, or more exciting.
