TV fans love a good Easter egg — and one hidden gem in Dexter: Resurrection has Chicago Fire fans buzzing with excitement. The surprise? A subtle nod to Monica Raymund’s firehouse past, woven seamlessly into the blood-soaked world of Showtime’s serial killer saga. Now, eagle-eyed viewers are scrambling to rewatch and spot the tribute to Raymund’s early days as Paramedic Gabriela Dawson.
But this clever wink to her Chicago Fire roots is just one layer of a much bigger story: Raymund has quietly become a major force behind the camera.
From Gabby Dawson to Directing Dexter
Monica Raymund first captured national attention on Fox’s Lie to Me, but it was her six-season stint as Gabby Dawson on NBC’s Chicago Fire that cemented her place as a fan favorite. Charismatic, fiery, and fiercely loyal, Gabby’s presence left an indelible mark on Firehouse 51. In 2019, Raymund made the difficult decision to leave the hit procedural behind — not because it was ending, but to follow her passion for storytelling from a new vantage point: the director’s chair.
“I wanted to explore a different world,” Raymund told NBC at the time. “I was ready to create my home and kind of plant some roots in Los Angeles.”
Taking the Leap Into Directing
Raymund’s first steps behind the camera came while she was still acting. She directed an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2018, followed by multiple episodes of FBI, and even directed her own show, Hightown, where she also starred as the complicated and gritty Jackie Quiñones. Her natural eye for storytelling quickly caught the attention of major networks.
In a 2020 interview with Wolf Entertainment, Raymund described directing as the place where she feels “most at peace,” adding:
“My ego gets out of the way and all that matters is getting the essential moments… my artist cap is tightly fastened to my brain and I become utterly obsessed with crafting the world.”
Raymund and the Dexter Universe
Raymund’s directing talents soon landed her on one of the most iconic crime dramas of the last two decades. In Dexter: Original Sin, the acclaimed prequel series that explored the early years of Dexter Morgan, Raymund helmed four of the ten episodes. Her work balanced the psychological tension and eerie tone that fans loved from the original series, earning her praise for helping breathe new life into the franchise.
Now, in Dexter: Resurrection, Raymund is back — this time not just as a director, but also as a producer, working alongside Dexter veteran Marcos Siega. Together, they’ve crafted a return worthy of the character’s legacy, with Raymund playing a pivotal role in its vision and execution.
A Hidden Tribute That Fans Can’t Stop Talking About
While the new season delivers plenty of grisly thrills and plot twists, it also offers a sly nod to Raymund’s roots: a brief scene set in a fictional firehouse, featuring a framed photo of a female paramedic who bears a striking resemblance to Dawson herself. It’s quick, subtle, and never addressed directly — but for Chicago Fire diehards, it’s a rewarding blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment.
It’s a clever tribute to a career that’s come full circle — from running into burning buildings in Chicago to orchestrating nail-biting drama behind the camera.
Monica Raymund: A Creative Powerhouse
As Dexter: Resurrection finds its groove, fans are taking notice of Raymund’s influence — even if they’re only just connecting the dots. Her evolution from actress to acclaimed director and producer is not only impressive but also inspiring. She’s one of a growing number of women carving out space behind the lens in television, and doing it with style, substance, and storytelling savvy.
So the next time you watch Dexter, keep your eyes peeled — not just for killers lurking in the shadows, but for the hidden legacy of a former firefighter who’s now calling the shots.
