The One Chicago franchise — which includes Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. — is known for its gripping storylines, intense action, and unforgettable characters. But for all the adrenaline-pumping rescues and dramatic cases, nothing hits fans harder than when a beloved character leaves. Whether they walk away, transfer, or meet a tragic end, these exits stay with fans long after the credits roll.
1. Alvin Olinsky (Chicago P.D.)
Perhaps no exit hit harder than the loss of Detective Alvin Olinsky, played by Elias Koteas. A loyal friend to Voight and a grizzled yet honorable member of Intelligence, Olinsky’s death in prison during Season 5 broke fans’ hearts. Framed and stabbed in jail, his death felt sudden, brutal, and deeply unfair. Watching Voight grieve over his best friend was a raw moment that changed the tone of Chicago P.D. forever.
2. Dr. Connor Rhodes (Chicago Med)
Colin Donnell’s exit as Dr. Connor Rhodes was an emotional blow for Chicago Med fans. A talented cardiothoracic surgeon with a complicated past, Rhodes was one of the original pillars of the hospital. His departure in Season 5 followed the death of Ava Bekker and a spiraling storyline that left fans disappointed and heartbroken. Watching such a skilled and layered character leave — especially under such grim circumstances — was a tough pill to swallow.
3. Jay Halstead (Chicago P.D.)
Jay Halstead’s exit in Season 10 was not only emotional — it was controversial. After years of being the moral compass of Intelligence, Jesse Lee Soffer’s character abruptly left for Bolivia on a long-term military assignment, leaving behind his wife, Hailey Upton. Fans were stunned by the lack of closure and screen time given to the farewell. His absence continues to be felt deeply, especially in Hailey’s emotionally frayed storylines.
4. Gabby Dawson (Chicago Fire)
Monica Raymund’s Gabby Dawson was a fierce, passionate paramedic-turned-firefighter whose presence defined much of Chicago Fire’s early seasons. Her relationship with Casey was iconic, and her departure at the end of Season 6 left a massive hole in the firehouse — and fans’ hearts. Though she made a brief return in Season 8, Dawson’s exit for Puerto Rico and her decision not to reconcile with Casey left many viewers in tears.
5. Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire)
Shay’s death in the Season 2 finale was shocking, tragic, and haunting. Played by Lauren German, Shay was the heart of Ambulance 61, known for her wit, compassion, and friendship with Severide. Her death in the line of duty after a building collapse devastated fans and marked one of Chicago Fire’s most heartbreaking storylines. The ripple effect of her loss was felt for seasons.
6. April Sexton (Chicago Med)
Yaya DaCosta’s April Sexton was a fan favorite from Day One. A skilled ED nurse with a deep sense of loyalty and faith, her dynamic with Dr. Choi was a cornerstone of the series. When she left the hospital at the end of Season 6 to pursue a nurse practitioner program, it was bittersweet. While not tragic, the absence of April’s grounding presence still lingers — and her brief return in Season 8 only reminded fans of what they’d lost.
7. Antonio Dawson (Chicago P.D.)
Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson had a rough ride in Chicago P.D.. His exit was tied to a controversial and dark opioid addiction storyline, culminating in a downward spiral that forced him off the team. The character deserved better. His sudden departure after years of loyal service to Intelligence — without a proper goodbye or closure — made it one of the most upsetting and frustrating exits in One Chicago history.
8. Dr. Natalie Manning (Chicago Med)
Torrey DeVitto’s Natalie Manning was a central figure in Chicago Med from the beginning. A devoted mother and deeply compassionate doctor, her ethics and emotions often clashed — sometimes to a fault. After a series of missteps and a stolen drug cover-up, Natalie’s dismissal from the hospital in Season 6 felt harsh. Though she returned for a farewell in Season 7, her departure — especially after her romance with Dr. Crockett Marcel — felt unceremonious and unresolved.
9. Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Chicago Fire)
Few Chicago Fire deaths cut as deep as the loss of Otis in the Season 8 premiere. Played by Yuri Sardarov, Otis was the comic relief, the heart of Firehouse 51, and one of the most beloved characters in the entire franchise. Dying from injuries sustained in a fire, his final words in Russian — later revealed to mean “Brother, I will be with you always” — left fans gutted. His memorial, complete with a statue outside the firehouse, was one of the show’s most emotional moments.
10. Erin Lindsay (Chicago P.D.)
Sophia Bush’s Erin Lindsay was a cornerstone of Chicago P.D. for its first four seasons. Intelligent, vulnerable, and fiercely dedicated, Lindsay’s complicated past and relationship with Voight made her one of the show’s most compelling characters. Her departure to join the FBI in New York was abrupt, and the behind-the-scenes tension surrounding Bush’s exit made it even more painful for fans who loved the character. The show has never quite filled the void she left behind.
What makes the One Chicago departures so uniquely painful is the franchise’s commitment to character depth. Viewers don’t just watch these characters fight fires, solve crimes, or save lives — they watch them love, grieve, grow, and struggle. When they leave, it feels personal. It’s like saying goodbye to a friend. And while some exits came with fitting farewells, others felt rushed or unworthy of the characters fans had come to love. That’s part of what makes these moments so haunting — we’re left wondering what could’ve been.
In a universe as expansive and ever-evolving as One Chicago, departures are inevitable. Rumors continue to swirl about future exits, especially with contract negotiations looming and cast shakeups already underway. While fans hope for stability, they also know better: No one is ever truly safe in One Chicago.
