Chicago Fire lost several important figures over the years, but some actors deserved better exits for their characters than they received. Part of the One Chicago universe, the Chicago Fire season 11 finale was dramatic and saw huge development in some of the show’s most anticipated storylines. One notable absence from the episode, however, was Chicago Fire’s Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), who departed earlier in the season. However, theories about the overall story and Severide’s return in Chicago Fire season 12 have quickly culminated.
The upcoming Chicago Fire season 12 will likely follow a similar pattern to previous installments but, hopefully, will avoid any more sudden character exits. Throughout the show, several well-loved and endearing characters left Chicago Fire, but their respective actors didn’t receive the departure storyline that was warranted. Whether they were heartlessly killed off or subtly pushed out of the narrative, there have been multiple Chicago Fire characters that deserved a better goodbye in the hit procedural drama.
7. Monica Raymund
Portrayed Gabriela Dawson
Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund) was a beloved character in Chicago Fire and was best known for her bravery and dedication as a paramedic throughout the show. Because of her determination, compassion, and courage, Dawson was a central figure in the series. Another reason why she was such an intriguing character was one core storyline that focused on her heartbreaking Chicago Fire relationship with Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) and the ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage she experienced. The pain they both went through trying to adopt their foster son, Louie, was also greatly impactful on Dawson as a character.
Dawson experienced many highs and lows in Chicago Fire, which was why her departure felt so anticlimactic. At the beginning of season 7, Dawson decided to leave Chicago and head to Puerto Rico to help with disaster relief. While this fit in with her characterization perfectly, Gabby Dawson‘s exit from Chicago Fire was abrupt and sudden. Her marriage to Matthew fell apart so quickly after he was wary of them trying for a child again, and within a matter of episodes, Dawson was gone. After six seasons of significant character development, Dawson deserved a farewell story that reflected her overall.
6. Lauren German
Portrayed Leslie Shay
Leslie Shay (Lauren German) was another paramedic who kept Chicago Fire on its toes, especially in storylines that highlighted her close friendship with Kelly Severide. Despite her struggles with other personal relationships in Chicago Fire, her bond with Severide remained strong until her very jarring and unexpected death in the season 3 premiere episode “Always.” Leslie’s death was a massive shock, especially as the season 2 finale set up a cliffhanger over the fate of her and Dawson, only for one of them to survive the explosion at a five-story building.
Despite only lasting until the very start of Chicago Fire season 3, Shay was an important character in the show and deserved a more emotionally resonating exit. She never got an appropriate goodbye with Severide, and he was forced into working with Shay’s replacement, Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), in the same episode, which was the ultimate disservice to their incredible relationship. While not the most exciting, a more fitting exit for Shay would have let her bid farewell to Firehouse 51 on her terms rather than being heartlessly killed off at the opening of a new season.
5. Rome Flynn
Portrayed Derrick Gibson
Derrick Gibson (Rome Flynn) was a firefighter on Truck 81 who only appeared in Chicago Fire season 12. Even though he wasn’t as much in the spotlight as some other characters, Gibson still made a big impact during his six episodes on the show. Gibson struggled to fit in with the rest of the unit, which seemed like a setup for a storyline that focused on him forming closer bonds with his colleagues, but the character didn’t stay in the show long enough for that to happen.
One detail about Gibson that was revealed was his past as a boxer and accidentally killing an opponent during a match, which led to him leaving the sport. Because of his issues with this and an addiction to medication that he found difficult to control, Gibson decided to depart Firehouse 51 and Chicago Fire altogether. While it was hard to pinpoint what would have been a better end for him, it was still a shame that Gibson’s disappointing exit from Chicago Fire was so quick. However, because of his swift exit, it made sense that his departure wasn’t exactly scene-stealing.
4. Yuri Sardarov
Portrayed Brian “Otis” Zvonecek
Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov) had one of the best character arcs in Chicago Fire. Not only was he a loyal firefighter, but his comic relief was integral to keeping his colleagues going in their line of work. Otis was an expert on elevators, which was helpful for his work and also earned him his nickname. He was also the co-owner of Molly’s Bar, which he and other fellow firefighters used as their social hub while not working. Despite Otis’ bravery and quick thinking, his incredible skills as a firefighter weren’t able to help save his life.
Otis’s death in the season 8 episode “Sacred Ground” was profound, but considering he was one of the best main characters in Chicago Fire, he still deserved a less abrupt exit. His final words to Cruz (Joe Minoso) in Russian, “Brother, I will be with you always,” were heartwrenching. Still, such a light-hearted and loved character deserved to have departed the show with his future ahead of him, even if his injuries impacted his life and career. Otis grew and changed massively throughout the show, but his sudden death made a lot of his character development feel wasted or underappreciated.
3. Dora Madison
Portrayed Jessica “Chili” Chilton
Jessica “Chili” Chilton (Dora Madison) had some deeply impactful storylines in Chicago Fire. Her most prominent was easily her battles with alcohol, which led to her eventual dismissal as Paramedic-in-Charge of Ambulance 61 in the season 4 episode “All Hard Parts.” Her outgoing and energetic nature helped her quickly blend in with her team, but Chili’s alcoholism eventually caused conflicts that she never truly patched back up. In her final episode, Chili was fired after she was caught drinking on the job. The lead-up to this episode saw Chili’s behavior grow increasingly erratic.
However, a lot of this was attributed to her grief over the unexpected death of her twin sister, Allisa. What was so disappointing about Chili’s departure was that she reached out to Boden (Eamonn Walker) for help, only to lose her job. Luckily, Severide assisted her in going to rehab, but his support should have been the mid-point of her exit storyline, not the end. She had lots of potential, such as with her drink-chilling invention she spoke about in season 3. Chili should have had one final storyline with her improving and growing, not heartlessly discarded and forgotten about.
2. Charlie Barnett
Portrayed Peter Mills
Peter Mills (Charlie Barnett) worked as both a firefighter and paramedic in Chicago Fire and arguably had some of the most significant developments in the show. When he was first introduced in season 1, Mills was a new recruit but proved himself to be skilled and dedicated enough to become one of the best firefighters in the show. During his time in Chicago Fire, an illness forced him to transfer to Rescue Squad 3, but he was eventually cleared and finally returned to his original duties again. He was a resilient person all around, but his exit felt rushed.
Mills’ final storyline focused on his difficulty deciding between his family and commitment to his life-saving job. While it made sense, to a degree, that Mills wished to stop living in his late father’s shadow and instead run the restaurant with his mother and sister, it was still a little odd. There were no obstacles or conflicts to his decision; he simply walked away, but the character deserved more in his exit. Although not every character in Chicago Fire necessarily needed to have a dramatic departure, Mills was a person who logically should have received one.
1. Steven R. McQueen
Portrayed Jimmy Borrelli
Jimmy Borrelli (Steven R. McQueen) had a completely unfair exit from Chicago Fire. When he was first introduced in season 4, Borrelli didn’t take things very seriously. He had a bizarre but strained relationship with his brother, Danny (Andy Ahrens), whose death in Chicago Fire influenced Jimmy’s attitude. Over time, Jimmy quickly proved himself as a candidate, and his journey to be accepted by his colleagues was a central theme in his character development. Sadly, in the season 5 episode “A Real Wake-Up Call,” Jimmy was severely injured and burned in a large traffic collision and lost his left eye.
This accident caused the rather blunt end to his firefighting career, as well as his time on the show. However, it made no sense that Jimmy’s injuries were immediately followed by his departure from Chicago Fire, as the character was never seen again. Ideally, a storyline that focused on his rehabilitation and getting some sort of closure over his life unexpectedly changing would have been a much better ending for Jimmy. It would have also allowed Jimmy to make peace in several ways, notably in his conflicts with Boden and Danny’s death, and also to reflect on his own future.
