When Monica Raymund announced her departure from Chicago Fire in 2018, fans were devastated—but many didn’t realize just how sudden, and secretive, her exit really was.
Raymund, who played paramedic Gabriela Dawson since Season 1, had become one of the emotional anchors of the show. Her chemistry with Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey was electric, and their on-screen marriage was a cornerstone of the series. So when Season 6 ended with Dawson heading to Puerto Rico, most viewers assumed she’d return in the fall.
But she didn’t.
According to insiders, Raymund had made her decision months earlier—but chose not to tell the cast or even the showrunners until after her final episode was filmed. “She kept it quiet until the very end,” one crew member said. “Even Jesse [Spencer] found out after the wrap party.”
Why the secrecy? Friends say Raymund had grown tired of the demanding shooting schedule and wanted to pursue directing and other roles. But others hint at deeper issues, including tension with production and disagreements over her character’s arc.
“She wanted more than just love triangles and tears,” said one writer. “She wanted real growth.”
When news broke, producers scrambled to explain her disappearance in Season 7. Her character was written off through letters and quick mentions, but fans felt the closure was lacking.
Though Raymund later returned for a one-episode cameo, she has largely stayed away from the One Chicago universe. In a recent interview, she hinted, “Some stories end before you’re ready. But sometimes, you need to write your own.”
