Chicago Fire season 11: Will Monica Raymund return as Dawson?

Gabriela Dawson is a huge part of Chicago Fire lore. The character’s status as a firefighter, coupled with her closeness to Casey (Jesse Spencer), made her an essential part of the show, and fans have understandably been excited by the possibility that she could return.

A return may not be as easy or as likely as one might hope, though. There have been several questions thrown at the producers and cast since Dawson left, and the answers have established that Dawson won’t be seen anytime soon.

Here’s what you need to know Dawson and the star who plays her, Monica Raymund.

When did Monica Raymund leave Chicago Fire?

Dawson left Chicago Fire in season 6, and made cameo appearances in seasons 7 and 8. It was a thrill to have her character still be involved with the show, especially given the unresolved nature of her relationship with Casey.

That said, we haven’t seen Dawson since the season 8 episode “Best Friend Magic”. She’s hasn’t been mentioned or spotted in seasons 9 and 10, despite the belief that she would be coming back for the recent Stellaride wedding.

Fire showrunner Derek Haas set the record straight during a recent interview with Us Magazine. When asked about Raymund, he revealed that a combination of things kept her from returning, including the star’s busy work schedule.

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"“She’s not coming back anytime soon”, he explained. “It felt like they had a really good, you know, they left in a good place when she left the last time. And then Casey’s been a one-woman man since then. So we’re not throwing that wrench.”"

The comments make it fairly clear that fans hoping to see Dawson return should temper their expectations. The star who plays her has made it clear that she wants to pursue other career options and roles, which was a contributing factor to her leaving Fire in the first place.

While Haas didn’t definitely rule out Dawson’s return, his frankness regarding the situation and Raymund’s career should clear up any speculation. Dawson is an important part of the show’s history, but she’s in the past, and season 11 will be about focusing on the future.

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