One Chicago’s Most Heartbreaking Exits: Colin Donnell, Sophia Bush and More

Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

One Chicago’s Most Heartbreaking Exits: Colin Donnell, Sophia Bush and More

If there’s one thing DickWolf isn’t afraid of, it’s killing off a beloved character. A fact that fans of the One Chicago universe — ie. Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. — know all too well. The franchise kicked off in 2012 with Chicago Fire; after its success, Chicago P.D. was launched in 2014 and Chicago Med followed in 2015. However, the cast of each show has changed drastically through the years. While some characters were killed off – RIP Leslie Shay – others exited the show because they felt it was time. Monica Raymund, who was a series regular on Chicago Fire from its debut, decided to hang up her hose in 2018. "It has been an honor to play Dawson on Chicago Fire and one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I am so thankful for the journey and especially to all of you for watching, but I have made the decision that it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter in life,” she wrote on Twitter at the time. “I’ll always be proud to have played a fierce paramedic with such an incredible cast and crew. On to the next! See you on the ice. Love, Monica.” [jwplayer q3IRb9US-zhNYySv2] That said – the end isn’t always the end. Dawson wasn’t killed on the show, but took a job in Puerto Rico, and creator Derek Haas is hopeful that someday she’ll return. "It’s not the end as far as I’m concerned. It may not happen right away, but there is more of that story to be told,” he tweeted after her announcement. “I hope we keep going for seasons to come and get a chance to tell it. I won’t stop hoping if you won’t.” While that may work for Dawson – still hoping she’ll return someday – other characters were shockingly killed off. Scroll through our gallery for some of the most shocking One Chicago departures:

Credit: George Burns Jr/NBC

Nick Gehlfuss

The actor surprised fans in May 2023 when his Chicago Med character, Dr. Will Halstead, left the hospital and flew to Seattle during the season 8 finale. The character’s exit marked his final episode on the series after starring on the medical drama for all eight seasons.

“It was a difficult decision, but ultimately, I felt I’d taken Dr. Halstead as far as I can go with him. I think that comes down to a creative part of you, or the energy or spirit you have that you’re either built for a very long time with one person or not,” Gehlfuss told Variety at the time. “I am attracted to the profession for the variety in it, and eight years is a long time. It’s two college degrees! I’m joking now that I basically have a doctorate in television.”

Credit: George Burns Jr/NBC

Asjha Cooper

"Thank you for all of the love for Dr. Vanessa Taylor," Cooper wrote via her Instagram Story in November 2022, after her character announced plans to leave Chicago Med for an opportunity to travel to the Philippines and help others. "Gonna miss my OneChicago fam." 

Credit: Lori Allen/NBC

Jesse Lee Soffer

The soap opera alum announced his departure from Chicago P.D. in August 2022. "This is sad but true," he tweeted at the time, confirming season 10 would be his last. "Just want all the fans to know how grateful I am. You guys are why we do it! It has been an honor. Love you all."

Soffer was an original cast member of the procedural, playing Detective Jay Halstead since the show's 2014 premiere.

Credit: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

Tuesday

Firehouse 51’s Dalmatian passed away in real life in May 2022, making Chicago Fire’s season 10 finale her final episode. The dog joined the cast in season 7 in 2018 as firefighter Darren Ritter’s (Daniel Kyri) beloved pooch. After coming to the firehouse because she had separation anxiety, Tuesday soon became the honorary dog for the station. “Heartbroken to learn my little buddy is gone,” Kyri wrote via his Instagram Story after learning the news. “I’ll miss her. Love you Tues!”

Credit: George Burns Jr/NBC

Kristen Hager

Some fans were surprised when the actress disappeared from Chicago Med in March 2022 after 14 episodes on the series. Hager joined the cast during the season 7 premiere as Dr. Stevie Hammer, who had a back-and-forth flirtation with Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss). TVLine reported in April 2022 that Hager’s story line had come to an end, but executive producers Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov teased that she could eventually come back.

“Her story arc with her mother ended. But we all really liked Kristen and would welcome her character coming back in the future,” the duo said in a statement at the time.

Credit: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

Jesse Spencer

The actor left Chicago Fire following the 200th episode in 2021 after 10 seasons, explaining to press at the time that he wanted a break after doing 18 years straight of TV.

"It was a difficult decision because I've loved this show from the start, but there's other things that I would love to do in the future and there's some family that I need to take care of," he said at the time. "My home here with my wife [Kali Woodruff Carr] is in Chicago, and I'm still going to be here, I'm just stepping back for right now. ... I'm stepping away but I'll be back."

Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Yaya DaCosta

After appearing in the show for six seasons, DaCosta will not return to Chicago Med for season 7.

Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Torrey DeVitto

In May 2021, DeVitto announced she will be leaving Chicago Med at the end of season 6.

Credit: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

Adriyan Rae

Which Show: Chicago Fire

What Happened: Rae's character, Gianna Mackey, accepted a new job during season 9 after only appearing on 10 episodes. "Adriyan let us know she had some private reasons to leave Chicago," showrunner Derek Haas said following the exit. "To hear that as a showrunner, you absolutely respect what an actor needs. All I can say is we love her and I know she's going to be great on some other series."

Credit: Elizabeth Morris/NBC

Yuriy Sardarov

Which Show: Chicago Fire

What Happened: In the season 8 premiere, Sardarov’s character, Brian “Otis” Zvonecek, was killed off in a basement fire. Co-creator Derek Haas confirmed to Us Weekly at the time that it was his decision to write off Otis, and that Sardarov was extremely gracious when he was told the news. Otis’ final words were in Russian to his best friend, Cruz: “Brother, I will be with you, always.”

Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Colin Donnell

Which show: Chicago Med

What happened: Days after season 4 wrapped in April 2019, news broke that Colin Donnell was exiting the series, much to everyone’s surprise. Donnell played Dr. Connor Rhodes since the series’ 2015 premiere. Following the news, he shared a photo of the cast on Instagram, thanking them, as well as the crew and the fans. “These people have made my heart full for the last four seasons. I love and appreciate every gift they’ve given to me,” he wrote. “Thank you to all the fans who’ve made Connor what he is on #ChicagoMed. The show doesn’t exist without you and I know that there are exciting things in store for you all in the seasons to come!”

Credit: Matt Dinerstein

Jon Seda

Which show: Chicago P.D.

What happened: Jon Seda, who portrayed Detective Antonio Dawson, was part of Chicago P.D. when it premiered in 2012. He briefly left the series in 2017 to join the Chicago Justice spinoff, but when Justice was canceled after one season, P.D. brought Seda back. After wrapping season 6, NBC revealed he would not be returning in April 2019. “It’s been an honor portraying Det. Antonio Dawson in the #OneChicago world,” Seda posted to Twitter after the news. “To my cast #Family, I’ll always treasure the time and stories we shared. To all you #chihards out there, THANK YOU for being the best of fans! We’ll Always have CHICAGO.”

Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Norma Kuhling

Which show: Chicago Med

What happened: After two years playing Dr. Ava Bekker, Norma Kuhling’s exit was announced in April 2019, days after season 4 wrapped. “Really going to miss this family, but feeling nothing but gratitude,” she shared on Instagram at the time. “A huge thank you to @nbc and @dickwolf for bringing me on board, to the best cast and crew imaginable, and finally to the fans for making these shows what they are."

Credit: Elizabeth Morris/NBC

Monica Raymund

Which show: Chicago Fire

What happened: After season 6 wrapped, Monica Raymund announced that Gabriela Dawson would not be returning and that she had decided to leave the show to focus more on directing. She was part of the series since its 2012 debut. Dawson made a surprise appearance in the season 7 premiere and Haas revealed to Us Weekly that the actress is welcome to come back at any time.

Credit: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC

Mekia Cox

Which show: Chicago Med

What happened: Mekia Cox joined season 2 of Chicago Med as Dr. Charles’ daughter, Robin. After one season, Cox exited the series – her character left town – due to being promoted to a regular on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. However, Cox returned at the second half of season 4. 

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Treat Williams

Which show: Chicago Fire

What happened: While he was never a series regular, Treat Williams recurred throughout the first seven seasons of Chicago Fire, playing Severide’s dad, Benny. In a shocking twist, he died midway through the season of a heart attack.

Credit: Parrish Lewis/NBC

Elias Koteas

Which show: Chicago P.D.

What happened: At the end of season 5, Elias Koteas’ Alvin Olinsky was stabbed in prison and later died in the hospital, leaving the cast, crew and fans of the series heartbroken. “It just evolved from a storytelling perspective,” showrunner Rick Eid told Us at the time of the decision. 

Credit: Matt Dinerstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Sophia Bush

Which show: Chicago P.D.

What happened: Sophia Bush had one of the most shocking exits in the franchise, suddenly leaving the show at the end of season 4 after leading the series as Detective Erin Lindsay. While Bush has never fully revealed why she left, ending her contract early, she’s hinted at it in many interviews, saying that she “didn’t feel respected” in the environment.

Credit: Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Charlie Barnett

Which show: Chicago Fire

What happened: Charlie Barnett portrayed Peter Mills until his surprise exit at the end of season 3. EP Matt Olmstead explained at the time that they wrote him off the show – Mills moved away – strictly to create room to bring in new characters.

Credit: Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Lauren German

Which show: Chicago Fire

What happened: In 2014, Chicago Fire fans were shocked when Lauren German, who portrayed Leslie Shay, was killed in a fire during the season 3 premiere. Her death shook up the entire firehouse – as well as the rest of the Chicago universe – and left viewers absolutely devastated. 

Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. air on NBC Wednesdays beginning at 8 p.m. ET.