Since 2012, viewers have been transported to Chicago, Illinois, to get a glimpse into the lives of firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers, lawyers, and paramedics in NBC’s “One Chicago” universe, which includes Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and for one season, Chicago Justice, according to NBC.
Before her departure at the beginning of the third season of Chicago Fire, Leslie Shay, played by actress Lauren German, was a fan favorite. For two seasons, Shay, a paramedic and a lesbian, garnered a large following in the LGBTQ community as her character allowed the show to explore the complexities of same-sex relationships. It didn’t hurt that Shay also shared an apartment with her best friend, Kelly Severide, played by Taylor Kinney, who has long been considered a heartthrob on the series.
Given her popularity on the show, it was a surprise to many fans when, at the end of the second season of Chicago Fire, Shay was involved in a building explosion caused by a serial arsonist that left her gravely injured. As reported, fans were left waiting to learn Shay’s fate until the premiere of the third season, which confirmed what many feared: Shay was dead, and Lauren German would never return to Chicago Fire to reprise her role.
Much like shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, the “One Chicago” universe is prone to injuring or killing off characters simply for dramatic effect. This flair for the dramatic was showcased when the show’s writers decided to kill off the beloved character Leslie Shay at the beginning of the third season. In an interview, Chicago Fire’s executive producer, Matt Olmstead, said that they decided to kill Shay to have a “big impact, rather than opting for a lesser-known character”.
The producer’s words began to resonate among fans who disagreed with this decision. Removing such a popular character from the series and especially losing a great actress like Lauren German from the drama could be lethal for the show’s future. Yet, the NBC drama continued its path, and she wasn’t the only one who ended up leaving.
Since then, Lauren German left her role in Chicago Fire and recently played Chloe Decker in Lucifer, a show that follows the devil himself as he leaves hell behind to start a new life in Los Angeles. Lucifer officially ended after six seasons in September 2021, and no announcements have been made about the actress’s next steps.
