Many complicated characters emerged throughout the One Chicago franchise, including Chicago Fire, Chicago Police Department, and Chicago Med. These characters shaped the storylines, keeping fans engaged with the shows. However, some of the most unforgettable moments involved their departures. Each time a character was eliminated, it brought a sense of shock, emotion, or surprise.
Some exited quietly, while others chose to leave with heartfelt goodbyes. Some departed due to death, and others faced tough choices to move on. Whenever a character exited, it significantly impacted both the plot and fans of the One Chicago franchise.
Here are ten notable examples of actors leaving the One Chicago franchise, highlighting the effects of each departure and how fans continued to remember these characters. Each of those exits contributed to making the show feel more authentic and impactful.
Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
One Chicago: 10 most unforgettable character exits (ranked) are discussed below:
10. Vanessa Rojas (Chicago P.D.)

In the Assets episode of Chicago P.D., the viewers saw Vanessa Rojas (an officer played by Lisseth Chavez). The character was originally intended to be Officer Kevin Atwater's romantic interest to demonstrate a fresh perspective. The character becomes part of the intelligence unit.
However, the outbreak and Chavez's arrival in DC's Legends of Tomorrow brought Rojas' plot to an abrupt halt. In the episode "Silence of the Night," she disappeared from the main cast, leaving viewers perplexed by her absence. Despite Rojas' brief appearance on the show, her dedication and unfinished stories remain memorable.
9. Connor Rhodes (Chicago Med)

Colin Donnell’s character, Dr. Connor Rhodes, played an important role in Chicago Med from the start. Dr. Connor Rhodes, a talented cardiothoracic surgeon, works with a variety of serious medical issues and personal plots. In the first episode of season 5 ("Never Going Back to Normal"), Rhodes discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Ava Bekker, murdered his father and then committed suicide.
Rhodes departs the hospital to start a new life free from painful memories as a result of this awful event. His departure marked the conclusion of a beloved character's journey. The scene had a tremendous impact on the series' plot and audience.
8. Antonio Dawson (Chicago P.D.)

Jon Seda played Antonio Dawson as a hardworking detective in the Chicago Police Department’s Intelligence Unit in the TV series Chicago P.D. The audience has seen that he built a reputation for standing up for justice and working with Sergeant Hank Voight as his right-hand man.
Antonio’s life started to go downhill in season 6, following an injury to his shoulder while running. He began taking painkillers as a result of his discomfort, which led to his addiction. When his daughter was taken, the situation became tougher, and he eventually killed the abductor.
In the episode "Reckoning," the audience saw how Antonio faced a difficult decision and the results of his actions. He quit the band after returning to substance misuse and resigning. The scene had a significant impact on his current followers.
7. April Sexton (Chicago Med)

Yaya DaCosta played April Sexton, a kind and well-trained nurse at the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center's emergency department. Her commitment to patients and strong friendships with colleagues were well-known in the series. In Season 6, April opted to begin a nurse practitioner program, which led her to leave the hospital.
Her role ended in the episode "I Will Come to Save You." In the episode, viewers saw her kiss her team goodbye. April's commitment to her patients and the US military, with the transformations she underwent during the series, helped people identify with her. The emergency department missed her presence a lot, which made her an easy character to remember for many fans.
6. Alvin Olinsky (Chicago P.D.)

Elias Koteas plays Alvin Olinsky, a veteran detective in charge of the Intelligence Unit of the Chicago Police Department. Olinsky's ability to work secretly and his strong collaboration with Sergeant Voight made him a valuable member of his team.
Olinsky is arrested in season 5 when his DNA is discovered at the scene of a crime, and he goes to prison as a result. Sadly, in the episode “Homecoming,” Olinsky is stabbed in prison and dies in the hospital shortly after Voight arranges for his release. The moment when he tells Voight
"I got this,"
is very touching and shows how loyal he is. After Olinsky was shot, the series and its viewers were treated to one of the most stunning and heartbreaking farewells ever.
5. Dr. Natalie Manning (Chicago Med)

Dr. Natalie Manning, portrayed by Torrey DeVitto, was a pediatrician and emergency care expert at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Viewers saw that she loved what she did. Throughout the show, everyone recognized her for her kindness to patients and her complicated personal life, which included raising her child as a widow and struggling with her relationship with Dr. Will Halstead.
At the beginning of season 6, Natalie defies the rules and gives her mom treatment for her heart, so she is fired from the hospital. In the episode "I Will Come to Save You," she has a farewell with her team and leaves Chicago with her child. Natalie's departure drew a lot of attention from fans because it concluded a significant storyline and reshaped the series.
4. Erin Lindsay (Chicago P.D.)

Sophia Bush plays Erin Lindsay, a conscientious detective in the Chicago Police Department's Intelligence Unit. After a difficult childhood, Lindsay was fostered by Sergeant Hank Voight. Voight helped her develop into a competent investigator who was trained in both kindness and bravery.
At the end of season 4, we saw Lindsay put on suspension for using an unconventional way to question someone. At the same time, her mother, Bunny, finds herself a suspect in a murder investigation. Since she wants to save her mother and begin anew, Lindsay moves to New York and joins the FBI. There is no closure between Athena and her co-workers or Jay because she leaves suddenly.
Lindsay's sudden departure left a significant plot hole that many people noticed because she was such a prominent and well-liked character.
3. Gabriela Dawson (Chicago Fire)

Gabby Dawson, portrayed by Monica Raymund, was a dedicated emergency responder who worked at Firehouse 51 in this One Chicago show. She was respected for always staying committed to her team and the people in her community. During the show, Dawson experienced several personal and work-related hardships. She married Matthew Casey after dealing with their rocky relationship.
Season 6 opens with Dawson returning home to Chicago after spending time helping victims of a big hurricane in Puerto Rico. In the episode "The Grand Gesture," Rachel says an emotional goodbye to everyone in the office.
When Dawson left the show, people felt it deeply because she was a beloved character who greatly inspired them.
2. Otis Zvonecek (Chicago Fire)

On Chicago Fire, Yuriy Sardarov portrays Brian Otis Zvonecek, a firefighter at Firehouse 51 and a member of Truck 81's unit. According to the story, Otis was adored within the squad due to his positive and helpful demeanor.
In the episode "Sacred Ground," Otis dies because of the severe burns suffered during a fire at a mattress factory. As his story comes to a close, he says deeply emotional words in Russian to Joe Cruz, promising,
"Brother, I will always be with you."
The death of Otis in this One Chicago series highlighted the dangers of becoming a fireman and influenced everyone who watched.
1. Jay Halstead (Chicago P.D.)

Jesse Lee Soffer portrayed Detective Jay Halstead. Jesse Lee played an important role in the Chicago Police Department. People knew Halstead for his integrity and devotion, and he often set the moral tone for the team.
In the third episode of Season 10, "A Good Man", Halstead decides to give up his job in law enforcement after a hard case makes him reconsider his place there. Wanting to start over after his failures, he joins the Army to look for drug cartels in Bolivia. He passed away before anyone knew, but it left a significant void in the team, particularly for his wife, Hailey Upton.
Since the show revealed the individual struggles of being a police officer, many fans found it heartbreaking to watch Halstead leave the show.
We can conclude that all the departures of characters in the One Chicago series had a significant effect on people following the show. Otis and Olinsky also died emotionally as a result of their labor. Erin Lindsay and Natalie Manning were among the other doctors who chose to quit the hospital for personal reasons. These departures were crucial stages in the show's development.
Viewers experienced a mixture of surprise, grief, and admiration for the characters in these shows from teh One Chicago franchise. Their stories caused fans to reflect on the issues that people face on a daily basis. Every character’s departure, either due to death, responsibility, or growth, made a difference. These memorable ways the characters left the show meant much more than just a plot twist. Fans held them in high regard because of their bravery, heart, and sacrifices.