For over a decade, Chicago Fire has been blazing its way into the hearts of viewers, offering intense drama, thrilling rescues, and unforgettable moments from the brave firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51. As the show prepares for its 14th season, only a handful of the original cast members remain, and the series has seen a lot of heart-wrenching departures over the years. The latest wave of departures following season 13 has brought some fan-favorite characters to an emotional goodbye, leaving fans wondering what’s next for the actors who brought these characters to life.
Let’s take a look back at the Chicago Fire stars who have left the show, and what they’ve been up to since their exit from the fiery world of Firehouse 51.
Teri Reeves as Dr. Hallie Thomas (Season 1)
Teri Reeves played Dr. Hallie Thomas, the ex-fiancée of Matt Casey, in Chicago Fire’s first season. Sadly, her character was killed off in the season 1 finale, struck by a criminal during a fire at her clinic. Since leaving the show, Reeves has made guest appearances on shows like NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, and Lucifer. She also had recurring roles on Once Upon a Time and The Punisher.
Lauren German as Leslie Shay (Seasons 1-2)
Leslie Shay was a fan favorite and an integral part of Chicago Fire’s early years. Played by Lauren German, Shay’s tragic death in the season 3 premiere shocked viewers and raised the emotional stakes of the show. Since then, Lauren German went on to play Detective Chloe Decker on Lucifer for six seasons, becoming a key figure in the show’s success.
Charlie Barnett as Peter Mills (Seasons 1-3)
Charlie Barnett portrayed firefighter Peter Mills, who left Firehouse 51 in season 3 to pursue a new life in North Carolina. Since departing Chicago Fire, Barnett has starred in Russian Doll, Tales of the City, and has an upcoming role in Star Wars: The Acolyte.
Monica Raymund as Gabriela Dawson (Seasons 1-6)
Monica Raymund’s portrayal of Gabriela Dawson, a paramedic with a strong sense of duty, became a defining role on Chicago Fire for six seasons. Dawson’s exit came when she moved to Puerto Rico to join relief efforts after a devastating crisis. Raymund returned briefly in season 8, but her departure was emotional for both the character and fans. Since leaving, Raymund starred in Hightown and appeared in films like Bros and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.
Yuri Sardarov as Otis Zvonecek (Seasons 1-8)
Yuri Sardarov’s portrayal of Otis Zvonecek brought both humor and heart to Chicago Fire. Sadly, Otis’ life was tragically cut short in season 8 after an explosion. Sardarov later appeared in The Rookie and FBI: International, and starred in the film Adam alongside Aaron Paul.
Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey (Seasons 1-10)
Jesse Spencer, one of the original Chicago Fire cast members, played the beloved Lieutenant Matthew Casey for ten seasons. His departure marked a major shift in the series. Casey’s exit came when he moved to the West Coast to care for his late colleague’s children. Spencer’s decision to leave was driven by a desire to explore other opportunities. Since his exit, he starred in Last Days of the Space Age (2024) and started a family with wife Kali Woodruff Carr, welcoming their first child in 2022.
Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden (Seasons 1-12)
Eamonn Walker, who portrayed Battalion Chief Wallace Boden, has been with Chicago Fire for 12 seasons. After stepping down from his main cast role in season 12, Boden took on a new role as Deputy Commissioner in the fire department. Walker has also been active in theatre, starring in the play Liberation at the Royal Exchange Theater in 2025.
Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett (Seasons 3-12)
Kara Killmer portrayed Sylvie Brett, a paramedic who joined the series in season 3. Brett’s character arc concluded with a beautiful storyline involving her marriage to Matt Casey. After over 190 episodes, Killmer bid farewell to the series in season 12. Her character’s exit was described as a natural conclusion to her journey. Since leaving, Killmer has been involved in other projects, though she is best known for her time as Brett.
Dora Madison as Jessica ‘Chili’ Chilton (Seasons 3-4)
Dora Madison, also known as Madison Burge, played Jessica “Chili” Chilton. Despite being a fan favorite, her character was fired halfway through season 4 due to her struggles with alcoholism. Madison went on to star in films such as Everybody Wants Some!! and Song to Song, and she also appeared in three Joe Begos films, including VFW and Christmas Bloody Christmas.
Steven R. McQueen as Jimmy Borelli (Seasons 4-5)
Known for his role as Jimmy Borelli, Steven R. McQueen’s time on Chicago Fire was cut short when his character suffered severe injuries. McQueen made appearances in shows like Legacies and Home by Spring after leaving the series.
Annie Ilonzeh as Emily Foster (Seasons 7-8)
Annie Ilonzeh played Emily Foster, who joined the series in season 7 as a paramedic replacing Gabriela Dawson. Ilonzeh left the show after season 8 but quickly found success in 2021, starring in The Game (2021-2023). She also joined the final season of S.W.A.T. as a new recruit.
Daniel Kyri as Darren Ritter (Seasons 7-13)
Daniel Kyri’s firefighter Darren Ritter became a fan favorite during his seven-season run. After announcing his departure in season 13, Kyri shifted focus to his music career, releasing an EP titled Childish Games in July 2025.
Alberto Rosende as Blake Gallo (Seasons 8-12)
Alberto Rosende’s character Blake Gallo left Chicago Fire after season 12, moving to Detroit to care for his aunt. Rosende’s departure was heartfelt, with the actor acknowledging the special friendships he made during his time on the show. He also expressed pride in the storylines he got to be part of.
Adriyan Rae as Gianna Mackey (Season 9)
Adriyan Rae’s Gianna Mackey came into Chicago Fire in season 9 and left after one season. Rae has since starred in The Game (2021-2023) and appeared in Forever (2025), which is executive produced by Regina King.
Jake Lockett as Sam Carver (Seasons 11-13)
Jake Lockett’s character Sam Carver came and went quickly on Chicago Fire, transferring to a new firehouse in Denver in season 13. Lockett recently eloped to Hawaii with actress Dominique Domingo, marking a new chapter in his personal life.
Michael Bradway as Jack Damon (Seasons 12-13)
Michael Bradway’s Jack Damon, introduced as the half-brother of Kelly Severide, made his exit after season 13. Bradway will soon star in Every Summer After, the upcoming Amazon Prime Video adaptation of the popular novel by Carley Fortune.
As Chicago Fire continues to evolve with new faces and departures, it’s clear that the show’s cast members, both past and present, have left their mark in more ways than one. Whether on screen or in new projects, these actors continue to captivate audiences with their incredible talent.
Will the new class of firefighters and paramedics live up to the legacy of their predecessors? Or will the impact of these former stars continue to linger in Firehouse 51?
