Why did Stella Maeve leave Chicago PD?
Find out why Stella Maeve left Chicago PD! Let's dive into the real reasons her character was written out the show below!
Chicago PD is no stranger to change! The popular television series is constantly introducing and biding adieu to beloved characters, and as we return to the 21st District of the Chicago Police Department, with the return of Chicago PD season 11 on our screens as of January 17, 2024, we can't help but look back at some character exits that left us scratching our heads.
One such case was the exit of Stella Maeve, who portrayed Nadia Decotis on the show from 2014 to 2015. Nadia was an 18-year-old former escort and addict who was taken under the wing of former Detective Erin Lindsay and later became the Intelligence Department's secretary.
With a promising career on Chicago PD, it seemed that Stella Maeve had solidified her place on the show, making her departure all the more perplexing. So, what happened behind the scenes? Was there something more to Stella Maeve's exit than meets the eye? If you've been pondering these questions, you're in the right place!
Join us as we peel back the layers to reveal the real reason why Stella Maeve bid farewell to the 21st District below.
The real reason Stella Maeve left Chicago PD
While it may feel like a lifetime ago, Stella Maeve took on the role of Nadia Decotis, captivating Chicago PD audiences from the first season in 2014 until her character's dramatic exit in the second season of 2015. Nadia's journey came to an unexpected end in a Chicago PD episode that was part of a crossover event with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Chicago Fire.
Contrary to any mysterious speculations, Stella's departure was no cloak-and-dagger affair. The writers intentionally penned Nadia's exit to serve as a catalyst for interesting story arcs in following seasons. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Nadia met her demise after being abducted and murdered, leaving a ripple effect of aftermath and guilt for other characters in the series. So, no backstage drama here -- simply the trajectory of her storyline!
After leaving Chicago PD, Stella Maeve went on to find roles in other films and TV productions, including a major role in one of our personal favorite series The Magicians.
New episodes of Chicago PD season 11 debut every Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC, alternatively episodes will also be available for streaming on Peacock the next day!