Monica Raymund holds a special place in the hearts of Chicago Fire fans. As Gabriela Dawson, she was central to the show for several seasons, with her turbulent romance with Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) standing out as one of its most memorable storylines.
Raymund’s departure from Chicago Fire in Season 6 and her brief cameo in Season 8 left many fans yearning for more of her on screen. However, her career post-Chicago Fire has been an exciting journey, with roles that push her boundaries as an actor. When news broke that Raymund had joined the new Prime Video show On Call, a Dick Wolf production, fans were thrilled. It seemed like the perfect fit for her talents.
Monica Raymund’s Brief but Impactful Role in On Call
In the On Call pilot, Raymund takes on the role of Officer Maria Delgado, a veteran with the Long Beach Police Department. For fans of Dick Wolf’s procedural dramas, her appearance felt like a homecoming, and her strong screen presence made her a natural fit for the show.
However, the excitement quickly turned to shock. Raymund’s character is introduced in the very first scene of the pilot, but within minutes, she’s fatally shot during a routine traffic stop. It’s a gut-wrenching twist that sets the tone for the rest of the show and leaves viewers reeling.
While her presence added a sense of gravitas to the pilot, Raymund’s role served as a red herring. The real focus of On Call is on Officers Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) and Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente), whose stories take center stage following Delgado’s tragic death.
The Creative Gamble Behind Raymund’s Role
Tim Walsh, the show’s co-creator, explained the reasoning behind the shocking twist in an interview with TV Line. Walsh, who previously collaborated with Raymund on Hightown, wanted to emulate the shocking narrative turn seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film Psycho (1960). In Psycho, the apparent protagonist, played by Janet Leigh, is killed off early in the story—a move that stunned audiences at the time.
“Hitchcock did it with Janet Leigh, killing her off a quarter of the way [into Psycho],” Walsh explained. “We wanted people to believe it was a show about [Raymund], and it’s not exactly what happens.”
Walsh praised Raymund’s ability to draw viewers in, noting that her familiarity and skill made her the perfect choice to set up such a shocking narrative pivot. Her death, while devastating, serves to amplify the tension and stakes of the series.
What’s Next for On Call?
Raymund’s brief but impactful appearance has certainly left fans talking. While her character’s death removes her from the ongoing storyline, it has undeniably hooked audiences, leaving them eager to see how the series unfolds. Officers Harmon and Diaz now bear the weight of carrying the show forward, and the dramatic opening suggests viewers are in for a gritty, intense ride.
For Chicago Fire fans, seeing Raymund again—even briefly—reminds us of her immense talent and charisma. Though Delgado’s time was short-lived, Raymund’s role in On Call proves she continues to be a dynamic force on screen, always willing to take risks and surprise her audience.
