Chicago Fire has experienced its fair share of cast exits over the years, and another actress is scheduled to leave the show during season 12 — Kara Killmer, who has played Sylvie Brett since the season 3 premiere. Brett, a paramedic, was introduced following the exit of Lauren German’s Leslie Shay, who died when Firehouse 51 responded to a building fire during the season 2 finale, and an explosion resulted in a falling pipe that fatally struck Shay. At first, the firehouse resented Brett’s arrival because she was essentially replacing Shay, but over time, Brett integrated herself into the found family.
Over the course of the nine seasons she starred in as a series regular, Killmer cemented her place as one of the more significant members of the Chicago Fire cast. So, it was disheartening to learn that the actress would leave the NBC drama series in 2024. However, like her co-stars who have filtered in and out of the cast throughout the years, Killmer decided it was time for her to depart Chicago Fire. As a result, fans will have to bid farewell to Brett in an upcoming season 12 episode.
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 6 Is Sylvie Brett’s Final Installment
Kara Killmer’s swan song as Sylvie Brett arrives in season 12, episode 6, “Port in the Storm,” of the NBC drama television series. Sadly, fans have little time to prepare for Brett’s final Chicago Fire episode, but hopefully, her sendoff will honor her character and the legacy Brett has created since she first stepped foot in Firehouse 51. The official synopsis for the hour reads:
Firehouse 51 welcomes back some familiar faces and says goodbye to Brett. Violet scrambles to decorate Brett’s wedding venue. A call at the expo center takes a shocking turn.
As what probably shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who has been watching Chicago Fire season 12 since the premiere, Brett’s exit episode will feature her and Matt Casey’s wedding. Casey proposed to her during the season 11 finale, but the episode ended before the audience could hear Brett’s answer. Flash forward to the season 12 premiere, viewers learned that Brett said yes, and it sounds as if her sendoff will be a happy affair as the characters celebrate her and Casey’s nuptials. Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of Chicago Fire if there wasn’t danger, though.
Why Is Kara Killmer Leaving Chicago Fire? The Actor’s Exit Explained
NBC announced Kara Killmer’s exit from Chicago Fire ahead of the season 12 premiere, much to the surprise of fans, and, unfortunately, the actress has not given a concrete reason behind why she decided to leave the show. However, shortly following the news of her departure, Killmer shared photos of when she first moved to Chicago to play Brett in the NBC series on Instagram. The actress’ caption read:
“These are the very first few pictures I took, or was tagged in, when I first came to Chicago. Going up in the Squad 1 basket was my first exposure to the CFD—some of the best firefighters in the country! The view from my very first apartment was absolutely stunning and the beginning of a love affair with the gorgeous city of Chicago!”
Like many other actors and actresses who have exited the One Chicago franchise over the years, Killmer may have felt like season 12 was the right time for her to leave Chicago Fire. One of the most common reasons for a performer’s decision to exit a television show of their own accord is that they simply want to move on to bigger and brighter opportunities. Only Killmer knows the candid reason behind her departure, but she has played Brett in Chicago Fire for more than nine seasons, which is certainly no small feat.
How Chicago Fire Is Writing Off Sylvie Brett
As mentioned above, Brett said yes to Casey’s proposal, and the two characters plan to get married during Chicago Fire season 12, episode 6, which is also Kara Killmer’s final episode as a series regular. Casey knocking on Brett’s door and getting down on one knee was shocking, to say the least. The couple had previously broken up due to the struggles of a long-distance relationship — Casey moved to Oregon to care for Andy Darden’s kids while Brett stayed in Chicago. However, they still had feelings for one another and are now throwing caution to the wind and getting hitched.
Brett has agreed to move her and her newly adopted daughter, Julia, to Oregon following the wedding. So, it makes sense why Brett and Casey’s wedding takes place during Killmer’s last episode. Once Brett and Casey say, “I do,” they will undoubtedly say their tearful goodbyes to the other Chicago Fire characters and be on their way to start their new life as a married couple on the West Coast.
