For over a decade, the interconnected world of One Chicago—spanning Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med—has provided viewers with riveting drama, high-stakes action, and, inevitably, profound heartbreak. These shows, built on the premise of family and loyalty among first responders, excel at making characters feel like friends and colleagues. When those characters leave, the emotional impact is devastating, often leading fans to utter the collective plea: “Please, not them too…”
The franchise has a notorious history of pulling the rug out from under its audience, delivering farewells that range from shocking deaths to quiet, heartbreaking departures. Now, with recent cast changes shaking up all three shows and fresh rumors swirling around key long-time players, the fear of another major exit has the fandom on high alert.
We look back at the goodbyes that tore the One Chicago family apart and dive into the latest rumors that suggest the heartbreak is far from over.
🕊️ The Exits That Broke the Fandom
Not all character departures are created equal. In the One Chicago universe, the most painful goodbyes are those involving original cast members whose absence fundamentally alters the DNA of their respective firehouse, precinct, or hospital.
The Deaths That Stunned Us
The most brutal exits are those sealed by tragedy, often serving as defining, traumatic events for the remaining characters.
- Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire): Shay’s death in the Season 3 premiere remains arguably the most devastating loss in the entire franchise. As Kelly Severide’s best friend and emotional rock, her unexpected, violent end in the line of duty shattered the familial dynamic of Firehouse 51. The pain of watching Severide and Gabby Dawson grieve Shay set the tone for the high emotional stakes of the series.
- Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Chicago Fire): Otis was the show’s quirky heart and resident optimist. His heroic death in the Season 8 premiere, succumbing to injuries sustained in a mattress factory fire, was a shock because it robbed the show of its comedy and innocence. His final words to Joe Cruz, “Brother, I will be with you always” (in Russian), were an instant, enduring source of tears for the fanbase.
- Alvin Olinsky (Chicago P.D.): Olinsky’s death by stabbing in prison was a painful dose of injustice. He was the silent, moral core of Intelligence, Hank Voight’s fiercely loyal right-hand man. His grim fate, driven by a brutal storyline, felt like a punishment to the character and left a permanent scar on Voight and the unit.
The Quiet Heartbreaks
Some exits, while not fatal, were equally heartbreaking because they broke up beloved on-screen partnerships and ended years-long character development.
- Jay Halstead (Chicago P.D.): The departure of Detective Halstead to join the Army in Bolivia left a massive hole in the Intelligence Unit and, more painfully, dissolved one of the show’s most popular pairings, “Upstead” (with Hailey Upton). His sudden, permanent exit felt like an incomplete chapter, leaving his marriage and his partnership unresolved.
- Erin Lindsay (Chicago P.D.): Sophia Bush’s departure to join the FBI left fans with the bittersweet sadness of seeing a deeply troubled character finally find a path to a stable, successful life—but away from her One Chicago family, especially her mentor, Hank Voight.
- Chief Wallace Boden (Chicago Fire): Eamonn Walker’s departure was a massive shakeup. Though not killed, Boden’s exit to take on a higher role in the CFD left Firehouse 51 without its stern yet loving father figure, altering the entire command structure of the show.
🚨 The Rumor Mill: Fearing the Next Heartbreak
The history of unexpected goodbyes has created a perpetual state of anxiety within the fanbase. Current, confirmed, and rumored exits suggest that the trend of losing beloved faces is accelerating, forcing fans to brace for the next painful farewell.
Confirmed and Imminent Exits
Recent seasons have already delivered painful blows across the franchise:
- Darren Ritter & Sam Carver (Chicago Fire): The conclusion of a recent season has already set up the exits of both Daniel Kyri’s Ritter and Jake Lockett’s Carver. While showrunners have teased “big endings” for these characters, their departures mean Firehouse 51 is losing two vital members of Truck and Engine, dramatically shifting the dynamic of the crew.
- Maggie Lockwood (Chicago Med): The confirmed departure of Marlyne Barrett (Maggie Lockwood) from Chicago Med is a huge blow. Maggie has been the fierce, compassionate charge nurse since the pilot. Her exit means the hospital loses one of its few remaining original anchors, leaving fans wondering how the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center will function without its emotional gatekeeper.
- Toya Turner (Chicago P.D.): The recent departure of Officer Kiana Cook, played by Toya Turner, who was a promising new recruit for Intelligence, continues the pattern of cast instability on P.D.
The Rumors That Spark Panic
Beyond the confirmed goodbyes, the most chilling rumors involve the few original cast members who remain, particularly on Chicago Fire where the core cast is shrinking:
- The Kelly Severide Uncertainty: Following Taylor Kinney’s hiatus and return, fans remain acutely sensitive to any rumors about his long-term contract. Any suggestion of a new personal project or a reduced filming schedule instantly sparks fears that Severide—the ultimate original anchor of Fire—could be the next major heartbreak.
- The P.D. Veteran: With the Intelligence Unit having lost so many veterans, rumors occasionally surface about the contracts of remaining original players like Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) or Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins). The potential loss of either character, who have been with P.D. since the beginning and represent the heart of the unit, would effectively signal the end of the show as fans know it.
🛡️ Why the Pain is Essential to One Chicago’s Success
While fans scream, “Please, not them too,” the cruel reality is that these painful goodbyes are an essential element of the One Chicago formula.
The emotional fallout of a major character loss serves several narrative purposes:
- Raises the Stakes: When a beloved character dies (like Shay or Otis), it makes the danger feel real. It reminds the audience that fire, crime, and medical crises are life-or-death, high-risk careers.
- Drives Character Growth: Departures force remaining characters to evolve. Severide became a different man after Shay’s death. Voight’s ruthlessness was cemented by Olinsky’s fate. Grief is a powerful engine for drama.
- Reflects Reality: In the real world, people change jobs, retire, or face tragedy. The revolving cast ensures the shows maintain a dynamic, fluid, and realistic workplace environment.
The constant fear of loss is what keeps the fandom emotionally invested. As the One Chicago universe moves forward, fans can only hold onto the remaining veterans and steel themselves for the inevitable next heartbreaking announcement that confirms their deepest fears.
