When fans tuned in to Chicago Fire Season 10, they expected drama, rescues, and intense teamwork — but what they didn’t expect was the sudden and emotional exit of firefighter Matthew Casey, played by Jesse Spencer. What viewers saw on-screen was bittersweet: a noble goodbye and heartfelt hugs. But what happened off-screen was far more complex — and left both fans and the cast stunned.
Matthew Casey had been with Firehouse 51 since the very first episode. As a lieutenant, he was the moral center of the team, a natural leader who faced down danger time and again. His chemistry with Sylvie Brett, his unwavering bond with Severide, and his commitment to every rescue made him irreplaceable. So when he announced in Season 10, Episode 5 that he was leaving for Oregon to care for the sons of his late best friend, jaws dropped.
But the bigger twist? This wasn’t just a plot decision. Jesse Spencer decided to walk away from the series — voluntarily.
After nearly a decade of suiting up as Casey, Spencer shocked even the showrunners with his choice to leave. His reasons weren’t dramatic — but they were deeply personal. “It was time,” he said in a post-episode interview. “I’d done 200 episodes, and I needed a break. I wanted to spend more time with family and focus on other parts of my life.”
While his decision seemed rational, it left a wake of chaos behind the scenes. The writers were reportedly forced to rewrite major arcs for the season on short notice. Casey had been positioned as a central figure in the show’s long-term narrative, especially in his developing relationship with Brett. Suddenly, that future evaporated.
Cast members, including Kara Killmer (who plays Brett), were caught off guard. “We were all shocked,” she admitted. “We knew something was going on, but no one knew he was planning to go so soon.” The departure sparked concern among fans, many of whom worried whether Chicago Fire could survive such a major loss.
But here’s where it gets even more intriguing.
Insiders claim Jesse Spencer almost didn’t return at all for his final episodes. Scheduling conflicts and contract negotiations reportedly dragged on for months. At one point, producers considered writing Casey out with a tragic off-screen death. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and the actor agreed to return — if only for a proper send-off.
The goodbye scene between Casey and Severide wasn’t just acting. The emotions were real. Showrunner Derek Haas revealed, “When they hugged on that rooftop, it wasn’t just Casey saying goodbye to Firehouse 51. It was Jesse saying goodbye to all of us.”
But is it truly goodbye?
In a twist that continues to fuel rumors, Spencer later teased a possible return — maybe not full-time, but for something “big.” Fans speculate that it could involve Brett, whose storyline has remained emotionally tethered to Casey ever since. And with Chicago Fire heading into even more dramatic territory, a surprise reappearance may be just what the show needs.
For now, though, Casey’s departure stands as one of the most shocking and human exits in One Chicago history — not because he died, but because he walked away.
Sometimes, the real drama isn’t in the fire. It’s in what happens when the gear comes off — and the actor underneath decides he’s had enough.
