Monica Raymund will forever be remembered by Chicago Fire fans as Gabriela Dawson — the fearless, compassionate paramedic whose fiery romance with Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) was one of the show’s most beloved storylines. Her departure from the series left a noticeable void, but her career has continued to thrive in exciting new ways. Now, her latest project has fans stunned — and heartbroken all over again.
A Familiar Face in a Shocking New Role
Raymund recently made a surprise return to the Dick Wolf TV universe in On Call, a new Prime Video drama. Given her history with Chicago Fire and her natural gravitas in procedural roles, she seemed like the perfect fit for another Wolf-led project. In fact, she’s the very first face viewers see in the On Call pilot, playing Officer Maria Delgado, a seasoned Long Beach cop with commanding presence and instant credibility.
But just as fans began to settle into seeing Raymund lead another show, the unexpected happened.
Gone in Minutes — The Devastating Twist
In a bold and brutal move, Raymund’s character is killed off within the first two minutes of the pilot. Delgado pulls over a vehicle, approaches the driver’s side, and is shot on sight — setting the tone for a gritty, emotionally intense series. It’s a moment that’s left many fans reeling, especially those hoping to see Raymund front and center again in a major role.
It turns out, her casting was a carefully crafted misdirect.
The Real Leads and the ‘Psycho’ Connection
While Raymund was used heavily in promotional materials, On Call actually centers around Officers Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) and Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente). The show’s co-creator, Tim Walsh — who previously worked with Raymund on Hightown — revealed that her death was a deliberate twist meant to subvert expectations.
“Hitchcock did it with Janet Leigh,” Walsh told TV Line, referring to the legendary director’s decision to kill off the main character early in Psycho. “We wanted people to believe it was a show about her, and it’s not exactly what happens.”
Walsh knew Raymund had the emotional weight and star power to make the moment land. And he was right — her death left a mark and immediately raised the stakes for everything that followed.
A Bold Career Move for a Fearless Performer
Raymund’s appearance in On Call may have been brief, but it was anything but forgettable. Just as she did with Gabby Dawson, Raymund brought humanity and fire to her role — even in just a few minutes of screen time. And once again, she left fans wanting more.
While it’s disappointing for Chicago Fire loyalists who hoped for a longer screen reunion with the actress, her willingness to take risks and defy expectations proves she’s still one of TV’s most compelling talents — on both sides of the camera.
It’s official: Monica Raymund may not stay long, but she always leaves an impact.
