Gabriela Dawson’s story ended in Puerto Rico, but the real reason behind the actress’s exit had nothing to do with the script

From Firehouse 51 to Hollywood

Monica Raymund was a staple of Chicago Fire for six seasons, winning hearts as the fierce and fearless Gabriela Dawson. But her exit in Season 6 left fans shocked—and left the writers scrambling. So, why did Raymund really leave one of the biggest shows in NBC’s lineup?

It turns out, the decision wasn’t rooted in drama, but geography.

It Wasn’t the Storyline—It Was the Zip Code

In a candid interview with the Chicago Tribune, Raymund explained that her contract had run its course. More importantly, she was ready to leave Chicago behind and plant roots in Los Angeles.

“I was hungry to explore a different role, a different story,” she said.
“I had been in Chicago for five years… I was ready to create my home.”

Filming Chicago Fire meant long stints in the Midwest, away from her new life goals—and opportunities. When her contract ended, she opted not to renew, choosing creative freedom and a new city over job security.

The Writers Didn’t See It Coming

Although Raymund gave the producers notice, the show’s writers were still caught off guard.

Showrunner Derek Haas told TVLine,

“I didn’t think she really wasn’t coming back. In my head, it was just end-of-year negotiating.”

As a result, the writing team had to quickly rework Gabriela Dawson’s storyline. They sent her off to Puerto Rico, where she took a job helping medical rescue teams after a failed second attempt to start a family with Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer).

The emotional goodbye—at the end of Season 6—became Dawson’s exit. Though she briefly returned in Seasons 7 and 8, her full-time run was over.

A Career That’s Only Grown Since

Since leaving Chicago Fire, Raymund has proven her instincts were right. She led three seasons of Starz’s Hightown, playing lead character Jackie Quiñones, while also stepping into directing and producing. She’s also directed episodes of Dexter: Resurrection, one of 2025’s most talked-about shows.

Still, she looks back on her time in One Chicago with pride.

“It was an honor to play Gabriela Dawson,” she wrote on social media.
“I’ll always be proud to have played a fierce paramedic with such an incredible cast and crew.”