Monica Raymund Shares Why She Left ‘Chicago Fire’ After Season 6

Monica Raymund played a significant role in ‘Chicago Fire’ for six years as Gabby Dawson, a beloved head paramedic. After being part of the hit NBC series since its inception in 2012, she ultimately decided it was time to move on.

In an article by Lex Briscuso, Raymund expressed that she felt it was time for a change. With her six-year contract concluding, she was eager to explore new acting opportunities. She shared with the Chicago Tribune, I’m not sure the exact moment when it happened, but I knew that my six-year contract was coming to an end and I felt like I was hungry to explore a different role, a different story. I wanted to explore a different world.

In addition to seeking new acting roles, she desired a shift in her personal life. After living in Chicago for five years while filming the show, she was ready to establish her home and roots in Los Angeles.

Derek Haas, her boss on the show, initially found it hard to believe she was actually leaving. Given her integral role in the cast, he thought she might be negotiating for a better contract when she announced her departure after season six. It took several discussions for him to realize she was serious about moving on.

To accommodate her exit from the main cast, the writers sent Gabby to Puerto Rico to lead a rescue team. Although she left in 2018, she made guest appearances in season seven and season eight, leaving the possibility open for her return in the future.

Leaving the show was a significant risk as it meant forfeiting a steady paycheck. Raymund discussed the difficulty of that decision with the Chicago Tribune, stating She said, 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. And to be able to delve into a storyline and to [flesh] it out over that amount of time. To get that opportunity is extremely rare and special. Job security is always the two favorite words an actor can say! But sometimes you have to take a risk to diversify your opportunities.

Ultimately, taking that risk has paid off for her. Since departing from the firefighting drama, she has landed a leading role in the Starz series ‘Hightown’ and has also directed episodes for major shows like ‘FBI’, ‘Dexter: Resurrection’, and ‘Boston Blue’. Her desire to grow as a performer was fulfilled by leaving her comfortable role.

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