'Chicago Fire' Will Never Recast Gabby Dawson; Monica Raymund Could Still Come Back To The Show

Chicago Fire will never close its door for Monica Raymund. Showrunner Derek Haas revealed that they would love to keep Raymund and her character, Paramedics In Charge Abby Dawson, in the show if only they could do so.

Raymund earlier confirmed that she is leaving Chicago Fire after six years in the NBC procedural drama. In a handwritten note to her fans, the actress announced that Chicago Fire Season 6 would be her last. Raymund said it's time for her to move forward and try a new endeavor. She also thanked her fans for supporting her and the show.

During a Q&A session on Twitter with fans, Haas answered some questions about the departure of Raymund. The showrunner admitted that they had known about the actress' plan of leaving a long time ago, but they were still hoping that Raymund would change her mind. Haas also confessed that they do hope that Raymund would consider coming back in the future, hinting that they will never recast the actress' character.

"Monica let us know in plenty of time that she was going to move on to new endeavors, but I hoped and still hope that this is not the last time you will see Gabby Dawson. I don't have to tell you, but Monica is amazing, and I don't accept this is the end for her character," said Haas.

After Raymund confirmed her exit, many fans expressed disappointment about how Gabby was written off in the series and not resolving the storyline between Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) and the paramedic. When asked by a fan what he would like to tell the Dawsey fans, Haas assured that Gabby's exit would be addressed when the series returns for Season 7.

"It's not the end as far as I'm concerned.  It may not happen right away, but there is more of that story to be told.  I hope we keep going for seasons to come and get a chance to tell it.  I won't stop hoping if you won't," he told a fan. 

It is still unclear how Gabby will exit the firehouse. However, in the Season 6 finale, there were a couple of hints on how she will leave her team. First, there was a fight between Gabby and Casey after she found out that he is still considering adopting a child despite her objection. Also, Gabby also received an offer to serve as a volunteer medic in hurricane-torn Puerto Rico.

Speculations about Monica Raymund's departure emerged a few weeks ago after she did not sign a new contract to return in Season 7. Spencer and Taylor Kinney (Lieutenant Kelly Severide) earlier inked a one-year deal. Eamonn Walker (Battalion Chief Wallace Boden) also struck a new contract, while David Eigenberg (Senior Firefighter Christopher Herrmann) is also expected to sign a new deal soon.

Other cast members such as Kara Killmer (Paramedic Sylvie Brett), Miranda Rae Mayo (Firefighter Stella Kidd), Christian Stolte (Firefighter Mouch McHolland), Joe Minoso (Firefighter/Chauffeur Joe Cruz), and Yuri Sardarov (Firefighter Brian "Otis" Zvonecek) will also return in Chicago Fire Season 7. The seventh season is slated to premiere in fall along with other One Chicago shows on NBC.