For more than a decade, Chicago Fire has built a reputation for powerful storytelling, unforgettable rescues, and emotional relationships that anchor Firehouse 51. From the iconic slow burn of Casey and Dawson to the fiery intensity of Severide and Kidd, romance has always been a crucial part of the show’s DNA.

But not every love story lands. In fact, one romance in Chicago Fire history remains infamous: Gabriela Dawson and Peter Mills. Fans never accepted it, and even the cast reportedly struggled to make it work. Here’s why this relationship was doomed from the start.

A Forced Setup

The Dawson–Mills pairing arrived in the show’s early seasons, when writers were still experimenting with different dynamics. On paper, it looked like a safe bet. Dawson was a bold, ambitious paramedic. Mills was a compassionate, steady firefighter. Both were single, dedicated, and part of the original crew.

Yet, viewers already sensed a spark between Dawson and Matt Casey. Their “will-they-won’t-they” tension was electric. Introducing Mills as Dawson’s love interest felt less like organic storytelling and more like a clumsy detour designed to stall Dawson and Casey’s inevitable romance. Fans quickly saw it as filler—an obstacle rather than a love story worth investing in.

Chemistry That Never Sparked

Television romances live or die on chemistry. Unfortunately, Monica Raymund (Dawson) and Charlie Barnett (Mills) never found that spark together. Both actors shined in other pairings, but their shared scenes felt flat and forced.

Fans voiced frustration on forums and social media. The romance lacked passion, banter, or emotional pull. The difference was even starker when compared to the natural, undeniable connection between Dawson and Casey. Viewers weren’t alone in noticing. Rumors and fan speculation at the time suggested that even members of the cast felt the pairing didn’t work.

A Clash of Personalities

Beyond the lack of chemistry, Dawson and Mills were mismatched at the character level. Dawson thrived on emotion and impulse. Mills was quiet, introverted, and cautious. While opposites can attract, this pairing highlighted their differences instead of blending them.

What should have been a relationship filled with growth and compromise instead felt like a string of conflicts. Instead of elevating the narrative, their romance pulled attention away from more compelling storylines. Viewers wanted Dawson and Casey. The Dawson–Mills detour only delayed the inevitable.

A Short-Lived Mistake

The backlash was impossible to ignore. Writers eventually ended the Dawson–Mills romance and shifted focus back to Dawson and Casey. That course correction was the right move. It acknowledged the lack of audience investment and reinforced Chicago Fire’s willingness to adapt.

In hindsight, the failed pairing serves as a cautionary tale. A good romance needs more than two compatible résumés on paper. It requires undeniable chemistry, believable development, and a connection the audience can root for. Dawson and Mills lacked all three.

The Legacy of a Misstep

Today, fans remember Dawson and Mills less as a love story and more as a miscalculation. But in its own way, the storyline had value. It showed the writers that romance must come from genuine character growth and actor chemistry, not manufactured drama.

The lesson stuck. Later relationships, such as Severide and Kidd’s slow-burn journey, became fan favorites precisely because they felt earned and authentic.

The Dawson–Mills romance may have been a stumble, but it paved the way for stronger, more lasting love stories at Firehouse 51. Sometimes, even the wrong pairings help a show find its heart.