Kara Killmer to leave Chicago Fire during season 12

Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) had an interesting season 11 on Chicago Fire. The character played a smaller role than usual during the bulk of the season, but she was crucial to both the premiere and the finale, in that she was part of the closing scenes of both. In the former, she ended her romance with Casey (Jesse Spencer), and in the latter, Casey proposed to her.

The finale ended before we found out what Brett’s response was, but either way, the character is being set up for a major life change. The big question we have going into season 12 is whether the change will lead to her leaving the show or becoming an even bigger part of it.

Sylvie Brett to exit Chicago Fire in season 12

Well, after months of speculation, the news is official: Brett will be leaving Chicago Fire during season 12. Variety broke the news in November, less than two weeks before production on the show is scheduled to resume. The outlet confirmed that the character will appear in the season premiere and its subsequent episodes, but that she will be written off before the finale.

Given how much screen time has been dedicated to Brett and Casey’s romance, especially in the last few episodes in which Casey has appeared, it makes sense that the writers would want to give the two of them a happy ending. Casey has become a father figure to the aforementioned Darden boys, and Brett decided to adopt a little girl in the season 11 finale, so the logical thing would be for them to start the next chapter of their lives together in another state.

Oregon makes the most sense, given that Casey has already set up a life there.

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Killmer spoke at length about the importance of Brett’s character arc in season 11 during a 2022 interview with NBC Insider. “She’s a hopeless romantic, but I think it’s important to see her come into her own and focus on her own things”, she noted at the time. “Friendships and her career, not just her love life. I’m really excited about being able to explore all of that.”

It’s bittersweet that this chapter of Brett’s life has come to an end, and the next chapter will occur offscreen, but it’s nice to know that she and Casey will be together. There was some definitive fan outcry when the two of them broke up, as it felt like they were meant to be. As with all characters on TV, the price of living happily ever after is leaving the drama of a weekly show behind.

Killmer has been a part of Chicago Fire since 2014, and has appeared in 193 episodes to date (not counting crossover appearances on Chicago Med and PD, which pushes the number up well over 200). It’ll be sad to see her go, but at least the show will make time to give her a proper send-off.

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