The One Chicago universe—spanning Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med—has never shied away from high-stakes emergencies and raw emotional drama. But sometimes, the biggest gut punches don’t come from storylines… they come from real-life departures.
Over the years, fans have had to say goodbye to some of their favorite characters—each exit leaving behind a legacy, unanswered questions, and in many cases, heartbreak. Whether for creative shifts or personal growth, these actors moved on, but the voids they left behind? Still very much felt.
Let’s take a look at seven of the most unforgettable One Chicago exits—and the real reasons behind them.
7. Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton, Chicago P.D.)
Introduced in Season 4 and promoted to series regular by Season 5, Tracy Spiridakos’ Hailey Upton became a staple of Chicago P.D. Her intense loyalty, layered backstory, and romantic chemistry with Jay Halstead gave the show one of its most compelling arcs.
But after seven seasons, Spiridakos made the emotional decision to leave. Citing a desire to pursue new creative opportunities, she acknowledged just how difficult it was to walk away from a role—and a cast—that had become home.
“It was not easy,” she shared. “I grew up on this show.”
6. Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead, Chicago P.D.)
As a founding member of Chicago P.D., Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead was more than just a fan favorite—he was the heart of Intelligence. His shocking exit in Season 10 sent shockwaves through the fandom, especially given his on-screen marriage to Hailey Upton.
Soffer explained his decision was rooted in growth. After nearly a decade in the same role, he wanted to evolve as a creative—eventually returning to direct an episode post-departure.
“This show means the world to me,” he told fans. “But it was time.”
5. Monica Raymund (Gabriela Dawson, Chicago Fire)
For six seasons, Monica Raymund’s Gabriela Dawson lit up Chicago Fire with her passion, intensity, and chemistry with Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer). Her departure at the end of Season 6 was a gut punch for many, especially since Dawsey (Dawson + Casey) was a pillar couple.
Raymund shared that she wanted to challenge herself with new projects, though she admitted leaving the Firehouse 51 family was incredibly emotional.
“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”
4. Sophia Bush (Erin Lindsay, Chicago P.D.)
Erin Lindsay was a cornerstone of the early Chicago P.D. years, and Sophia Bush’s abrupt exit after Season 4 raised eyebrows. It wasn’t until later that Bush opened up about her reasons, revealing she left due to a toxic work environment that impacted her health and well-being.
Her candid comments sparked a larger conversation about safety and boundaries on set—and her decision to walk away was a powerful move of self-advocacy.
“I realized I had to put myself first.”
3. Jon Seda (Antonio Dawson, Chicago P.D.)
One of the rare One Chicago stars to appear across multiple series, Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson was beloved for his grit and moral compass. His Season 6 exit felt sudden—and it was.
Reportedly, the departure was due to creative reasons, with writers feeling they had taken his arc as far as it could go. Fans, however, weren’t ready to say goodbye.
“Antonio deserved more,” many fans lamented.
2. Yaya DaCosta (April Sexton, Chicago Med)
A cornerstone of Chicago Med from the beginning, Yaya DaCosta’s April Sexton had one of the show’s most heartfelt storylines, particularly with Dr. Choi. Her decision to leave after Season 6 shocked many, but DaCosta shared she wanted to explore other creative opportunities—including leading Our Kind of People on Fox.
“April will always have a piece of my heart,” she said.
1. Torrey DeVitto (Natalie Manning, Chicago Med)
Dr. Natalie Manning was as brilliant as she was emotionally complicated, and Torrey DeVitto brought her to life with nuance and grace. Her Season 7 departure felt abrupt—but was part of a larger creative shift.
DeVitto expressed her gratitude to fans, noting that it was simply time for a new chapter.
“This show has changed my life. I’ll carry it with me forever.”
Why These Exits Still Sting
The One Chicago franchise thrives on relationships—among the teams, with their communities, and with us, the audience. When a beloved character leaves, it feels like losing a friend. These seven exits didn’t just change the shows—they changed the emotional DNA of the One Chicago universe.
And no matter how many fires are fought, cases are cracked, or surgeries are performed, the impact of these losses lingers.
