Monica Raymund was a main cast member on NBC’s Chicago Fire from the very first episode, playing paramedic-turned-firefighter Gabriela “Gabby” Dawson across six seasons.
When she announced her departure ahead of Season 7, it shocked many fans. Here’s what happened.
Why did Monica Raymund leave ‘Chicago Fire’?
Raymund’s contract was up after Season 6, and she chose not to renew. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she said the decision came from a desire to grow, explaining,
“I felt like I was hungry to explore a different role, a different story. I wanted to explore a different world,” as Distractify reported.
She also said after filming for several years in Chicago, she was ready to be at home in Los Angeles. “I was ready to create my home and kind of plant some roots in Los Angeles,” she told the Tribune.
She acknowledged the risk. According to NBC Insider, she said of the decision, “It’s kind of a double-edged sword because on the one hand, it’s wonderful to be employed for that long and to have job security. But sometimes you have to take a risk to diversify your opportunities.” She also said in an an interview Gold Derby she had nothing else lined up when she left.
How did showrunner Derek Haas react?
Per TVLine, Haas initially did not believe her. Raymund told the Chicago Tribune that she told him she was leaving and he responded, “No you’re not!” It took several conversations before he accepted that she was actually going.
How was Raymond’s character, Gabby Dawson, written off ‘Chicago Fire’?
The Season 6 finale wrote Dawson out with a job offer: Chief Hatcher offers her a position leading a rescue team in Puerto Rico, per ComingSoon.net. At the time, Dawson and her husband Matt Casey were dealing with tension over starting a family, and the offer provided a natural exit. Dawson accepted it and left Chicago.
Did Monica Raymund ever return to ‘Chicago Fire’?
She has returned to the show for guest appearances two times. According to Looper, Raymund returned in the Season 7 premiere to wrap up Dawson’s storyline with Casey, and again in Season 8 for a one-off appearance at a fundraiser event. Since her departure, Raymund went on to star in the Starz series, Hightown.
Featured image photo credit: Photo by Elizabeth Morris/NBC
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