Chicago Fire has always been defined by the tight-knit family at Firehouse 51, and no storyline has captivated fans more than the complex love life of Captain Matt Casey. The journey from the volatile, passionate relationship with Gabby Dawson (Monica Raymund) to the slow-burn, ‘meant-to-be’ romance with Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) was a foundational arc for the show.
With Casey and Brett’s emotional wedding marking the departure of Kara Killmer in Season 12, and the recent news of Chief Wallace Boden’s (Eamonn Walker) scaling back, the show is navigating a significant shift. Showrunner Andrea Newman has been open about the creative choices behind these emotional turns, offering a deep dive into the beloved ‘Brettsey’ romance, the lingering shadow of ‘Dawsey,’ and the necessary evolution of the One Chicago cornerstone.
Brettsey’s ‘Perfect Match’: A Long Road to the Altar
The coupling of Matt Casey and Sylvie Brett was a relationship built on shared grief, mutual respect, and a friendship that slowly blossomed into deep love. It took many seasons for the two to overcome the massive emotional hurdle: Brett was Casey’s ex-wife’s best friend.
Showrunner Andrea Newman, who penned the poignant wedding episode, reflected on the chemistry that ultimately made ‘Brettsey’ a fan-favorite pairing. She described the couple as a “truly perfect match,” noting that their eventual coupling felt like an “aha moment” for the writers and the audience alike.
“The goodbye between Casey and Brett was such a tough one. It tore them both up, but they (and we) saw it as inevitable at the time,” Newman noted, referring to Casey’s initial move to Portland to care for his late friend’s sons. “When Brettsey finally happened it was such an ‘aha moment’—a truly perfect match.”
Newman emphasizes that the core of their bond is that they are “both such good people, with such big, open hearts.” In the high-stress, trauma-filled environment of Firehouse 51, this shared goodness became their safe harbor. Their Season 12 wedding, which saw the entire firehouse rally together to create a magical, intimate ceremony, served as the “perfect” send-off for the beloved pair as they moved to Portland, Oregon, to officially blend their family, including Brett’s adopted baby girl, Julia.
The Shadow of Gabby Dawson: Was Casey Ever Truly Over Her?
For years, the question of Matt Casey’s true feelings for his ex-wife, Gabby Dawson, served as the invisible third party in the ‘Brettsey’ relationship. Their history was complex: a dramatic romance, a painful divorce due to long-distance and differing life goals, and a lingering sense of unfinished business.
The showrunner has acknowledged that this hesitation and the fear of repeating history was a key element of the ‘Brettsey’ slow-burn. In a past interview, when Brett finally pushed Casey away after their first kiss, she argued that he was “still in love with Gabby.”
Newman confirmed that Brett was not wrong to call him out on his emotional hesitation.
“I think she is right,” Newman admitted. “It’s the kind of thing you can try to brush aside but we the audience watched it—for six years… and so I think she’s well within her bounds to call him out on that and maybe he isn’t being completely honest with himself.”
The shadow of Dawson was an essential narrative device that allowed the show to explore Casey’s emotional growth. He had to resolve the “idea” of a life with Gabby before he could fully commit to Brett. The fact that he ultimately proposed to Brett and moved his entire life to Oregon to be with her and their new family is the definitive answer from the showrunners: Casey finally chose Brett. His wedding to Brett, the woman who was once Gabby’s partner and best friend, cemented the end of the ‘Dawsey’ era and the ultimate triumph of ‘Brettsey.’
Life After Boden: Navigating Major Cast Exits
The emotional goodbyes at Firehouse 51 didn’t end with Brett and Casey. Season 12 saw a remarkable number of cast departures, signalling a major shift in the series dynamic. Most notably, original cast member Eamonn Walker stepped down as a series regular after the Season 12 finale, “Never Say Goodbye.”
Walker’s character, Chief Wallace Boden, had been the steady, father-figure heart of the firehouse for over a decade. His departure was framed creatively within the show as a necessary promotion. In the finale, Boden faced off against formidable adversaries in a high-stakes call that forced him to question all forms of leadership. His decision—to put himself forward for a higher position, presumably the Deputy Commissioner role—was his own way of leading and protecting Firehouse 51 from those who might dismantle it.
While his regular presence will be sorely missed, Newman reassured fans that the exit is not permanent, stating that Walker “will return to the series in a recurring role.” This allows Boden to remain a powerful off-screen resource for his former team, echoing the pattern established by Jesse Spencer’s occasional returns as Casey.
The New Firehouse 51
The showrunner confirmed that these major cast changes, which also included the exits of Alberto Rosende (Blake Gallo), Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter), and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver), are an intentional part of the show’s evolution. Season 13 and beyond will see a new dynamic take shape.
Newman teased that new faces and new relationships are necessary to keep the firehouse family feeling fresh. The introduction of characters like Paramedic Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), who arrived to replace Brett, and the ongoing storyline involving the remaining main cast, will ensure the drama continues.
“There will be some time jump going into the premiere, and viewers and 51 are in it together,” Newman teased before the Season 12 debut. “There have been big changes, and the 51 gang is on a rollercoaster ride throughout the episode trying to navigate all of it.”
The emphasis now shifts fully to the stability of Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), the new power couple, and the romantic potential of the remaining members. As Chief Boden might say, Firehouse 51 has weathered many storms, and this latest shake-up is just the next chapter in the history of the legendary firehouse.
