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Warning: The following contains major spoilers for Wednesday’s Chicago Fire. Proceed at your own risk!
Chicago Fire officially has a vacancy to fill on Truck 81 following Wednesday’s milestone 200th episode: Leading man Jesse Spencer has exited the NBC drama after playing Captain Matthew Casey for 10 seasons.
The actor has starred on the firefighter drama since its 2012 debut and was one of six remaining series regulars from the first season. (The others are Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Eamonn Walker, Christian Stolte and Joe Minoso.) But after going from eight years on Fox’s House straight into Fire, Spencer is ready for a break and to put his focus elsewhere.
“I realized I’ve been doing TV for a long time. I added it up, and I think this year is my 18th year of network television,” Spencer told reporters during a Zoom press conference. “I called [showrunner] Derek [Haas] and broke him the news, said I thought it was time to leave the show, and he agreed that we should at least get Casey to 200 episodes. It was a difficult decision because I’ve loved the show from the start, but there are other things that I would like to do in the future, and there’s some family that I need to take care of, and 18 years is a long time.”
“I was, of course, wanting to talk Jesse into staying and coming back,” Haas added. “But I was very happy that he gave us five more episodes than just saying at the end of a season, which happens sometimes, too, like, ‘I’m out.’ That let us bring back a storyline from Season 1, which I know Jesse was excited about when we pitched it to him, to bring back the Darden boys and really tie in the pilot to Jesse’s leaving.”
In the 200th installment, Casey told his friends and colleagues at the firehouse that he was moving to Oregon to take care of his late best friend Andy Darden’s sons (at least until Ben gets into college in three years). The life-changing decision made for a “perfect full-circle [moment] and a really reasonable way for Casey to, organically, leave the show,” especially since the firefighter has always wanted to be a father, Spencer said. And after just one call from Deputy District Chief Boden, Casey already had a job lined up with the Portland Fire Department.
In bidding adieu to the Windy City, Casey shared several goodbyes with his firehouse crew and was on the receiving end of a thoughtful speech from Boden (after which the show’s OG firefighters embraced Casey in a group hug). Haas put all of his own feelings about Spencer’s departure into Boden’s words, “so that was a really difficult scene to write,” Haas shared. “Jesse meant so much to me. I wanted to end the episode with that.”
Casey, meanwhile, means a lot to Brett and vice versa, so naturally, he tried to convince her to come to Oregon with him. But his girlfriend was not ready to leave behind the paramedicine program she had just launched. Rather than breaking up, the couple decided to give a long-distance relationship a try, with Casey vowing, “Nothing’s gonna change.” (Famous last words, much?)
After building up to “Brettsey” for three seasons, Spencer admitted that the timing of his exit was unfortunate in regards to the will they/won’t they romance. “We just finally just got there,” he said. “It was difficult because I really like Kara [Killmer, who plays Brett]. We’ve established a really, really nice relationship. I loved working with her… But it was written really well into the episode, because they’re trying to make this relationship work, but they know that he’s leaving. So they’re sort of saying nothing is going to change, but…”
Despite the obstacles against them, Casey and Brett will indeed continue to be committed to each other, even with Spencer no longer on the series. “We’re going to keep it alive,” Haas said of the relationship, noting that things like FaceTime, phone calls and easy flights make that possible. Plus, viewers have very likely not seen the last of Spencer, whose voice will be heard in an upcoming episode. “This is a three-year commitment that Casey is making, but hopefully, we’ll see him before those three years are done,” Haas added.
Spencer, too, echoes the idea that this is not the end for him and Fire: “There is the potential for me to come back. I still am in Chicago right now. I’m not running off to Los Angeles or anything, although I might escape for a little bit of the winter,” he shared with a laugh. “My home here with my wife is in Chicago, and so I’m still going to be here, but I’m just stepping back for right now.”
Fire fans, how are you handling the news of Spencer’s departure? Hit the comments to let us know (after you grade the 200th episode below)!
I’m heartbroken but I get it. On the plus side I can officially stop worrying about a Dawsey reunion 🤣🤣
On my end I’m just ecstatic that I’m not going to be subject to the boring Brett/Casey pairing anymore. At least on screen anyways.
Seriously they were so bad lol. I don’t know what it is, I like Kara fine enough but Brett’s pairings are always flat and without chemistry.
From what I’ve seen on the internet, you are in the minority. I’ve only watched a few episodes of the whole show and even I could tell they had chemistry.
They’re going to have fans who like them together but that doesn’t mean people who don’t like their pairing are in the minority. They lack romantic chemistry because they look like brother and sister.
Broke my heart. Hoping it would change but he’s gone
Minority of not has no bearing on the fact that I’m ecstatic that I don’t have to see them in my screen. I don’t subscribe to a heard mentally. I don’t have to follow a crowd to know how to feel, I just know I don’t like their pairing. They’re as boring as dish water and don’t entertain me in anyway. Glad he’s gone! Now let get on with Kelly and Kid!!!
Minority or not has no bearing on the fact that I’m ecstatic that I don’t have to see them in my screen. I don’t subscribe to a herd mentally. I don’t have to follow a crowd to know how to feel, I just know I don’t like their pairing. They’re as boring as dish water and don’t entertain me in anyway. Glad he’s gone! Now let get on with Kelly and Kid!!!
I love watching Taylor Kinney stare blankly at Kidd. My favorite scene with Taylor was when Benny died and the camera did a close-up of him straining to produce one single tear and it looked like he was constipated. It was a rare display of a change in his facial expression. Soooooo good.
Minority or not has no bearing on the fact that I’m ecstatic that I don’t have to see them in my screen. I don’t subscribe to a herd mentally in any way. I don’t have to follow a crowd to know how to feel, I just know I don’t like their pairing. They’re as boring as dish water and don’t entertain me in anyway. Glad he’s gone! Now let get on with Kelly and Kid!!!
Definitely not the minority – just depends on where you look. I’ve seen plenty of people express how bored or disinterested they are in this pairing. They really weren’t anything special.
I totally agree, they were cringeworthy and lacked romantic chemistry. Looked awkward together. It just seemed like they stuck them together for convenience. Dawson didn’t always treat him right but there was definite heat between them.
I’m heartbroken and speechless. I was so much wanting it to all be another one of their fake outs. This hurts, it really does. I don’t know what else to say.
I was watching the clock hoping it wouldn’t happen
Same here. I almost jumped to the end on the DVR to see if he stayed. I’m really going to miss the Severide-Casey Dynamic Duo which was my favorite part.
Same. I really hoped it wasn’t going to be true but I understand his position. 18 years is a long time and I wish Jesse Spencer all the best. I am so going to miss Casey and Severide together. I always thought their relationship was the heart of the show.
Yeah me too, i think i’m feeling a little depressed about it.
Amen
My heart is broken. I just hope Jesse comes back at some point.
So do I. I’m just glad that we had these episodes with him this season.
Ugh.
It ticks me off that he wasn’t willing to do the same for his wife. He never really tried the long distance for her and instead lost his morals and got with her best friend, that is not the Casey I knew and loved.
The Casey that you “knew and loved” would have had to be written off of the show for good years ago then. As an (apparently former) big fan of his, you really wanted that, just so he could have preserved the image that you had of him?
I think they’re saying Dawsey could have stayed together like Brettsey is staying together. I like Brettsey just fine, but Casey got fridged and majorly underutilized for nearly two seasons as the showrunner tried to figure out what to do after he blew up Dawsey, and that sucked. Those were his last few years on the show and maybe part of why Jesse finally left. (Admittedly, a key difference is Dawsey was married and actively trying to have a kid when Gabby bailed out, and that’s not the same as a two month relationship (at best) going long distance. Brettsey was handled much better…so far.)
It was a long time between Gabby and Brett. She didn’t want him anymore. I am glad Gabby is gone forever
I never liked him and Dawson together, she was too whinny and needy and always wanted things her way. She didn’t want to compromise and that is what you do in a marriage.
Yes his Angel of a wife who cut and ran when she didn’t get what she wanted. He didn’t lose anything, he moved on.
I didn’t think they’d ever actually do it! I’m cool with him leaving, his character was never my taste. Now if Severide ever leaves, I’m out!
Totally Agree!!
They would have to shut the show down if Severide left. I’m sure they would lose way too many viewers.
If the “other things” he wants to do involve movies, then he’s going to be back. At least no more cringing over the Brett situation.
I’m going to miss the hot leading men cigar-smoking sessions with Severide though.
I think that being newly-wed and now in his 40s, he wants to slow down. He’s been doing network TV since 2004, since House. A few months longer than Grey’s Anatomy has been on. A 22 episode season means 9 months of 14h days.
I wish I worked 9 months a year and make what they make. I hate hearing actors complain about that. Work a real job 12 moths a year making $50 to 90 grand a year till your 65. Then complain!!
I agree. Also, pretty sure actors know what their schedule will be like as an actor. Complaining he has been working for 18 years? A lot of people out there that would like to be an actor, give the job to them instead.
Don’t forget that he also did Aussie tv for years and years before he started on House so it’s been a lot longer than 18 years. He has pretty much worked non-stop since he started acting.
Isn’t that exactly what he is doing, by quiting?
You could have been an actor. And he’s a professional. Not a slave. Like you or anyone else, he can quit a job.
While I completely agree that the pay disparity between someone like a broadcast network tv regular, and a person in a blue-collar job, is just nuts – I also didn’t get the sense he was complaining? Rather than saying he’s spoiled for wanting to slow down, isn’t it more rational to organize to fight for better working conditions for other people?
They’re well compensated but they DO work really hard, you know. It’s a nice life, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard work. And in their profession, there are a lot of other jobs that also pay very well where they don’t have to work as hard. It’s all relative.
Someone could say right back that they hate hearing people complain about having a job that pays $50-90 grand a year and having enough job security that you’re employed until you’re 65 when they don’t even have that. Everything is relative. I’m sure you believe your life is hard and complain about certain things that other people would be grateful to have.
Still, no matter how much you make, 14 hour days are still hard. The money certainly softens the blow, but that’s a lot of hours to spend at any job, and it certainly must take a toll on your family life.
Nearly 43 years old, with a newborn child, do you really want to work 14 hour days? I wish him and Kali much happiness.
😂😂😂😂😂
I really thought that maybe he would manage to get the kids to come to Chicago. I was in denial the whole episode.
Sounds like Jesse Spencer needed a break and to try other things. His character will be missed.
Yep, me too. I kept waiting to see that the kids would go to Chicago. Or that there would be previews of Casey struggling with the kids & that we would still see him, leading to Casey coming back to Chicago.
I also didn’t believe Jesse was really leaving until I saw this interview.
Won’t be the same without Casey and Brett very disappointed I hope he will decide to come back it just won’t be the same without him
Hated to see Jesse go. He was the heart of the show. Can see his point. The episode was very well written and I admit to a few years at the end. Good luck Jesse – hope to see you return after a few years rest.
Yeah, I’ve got to hand it to them. If you have to write out one of your long-time leading actors, this is the way to do it. And you have to leave your long-running role on a show, well, this is the classy way to do it, too.
.
And we knew it couldn’t last forever. Ten years with the same leads is a really long time. It’s practically unheard of. Either Casey or Severide was going to leave eventually. Not sure I’d have put money on Spencer over Kinney, though!
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He’ll be back for the wedding, right?
I love Chicago Fire and haven’t missed a show yet. I cried tonight and I dint want him to leave the show. He is Chicago Fire.
Yeah. my sentiments too.
I am saddened by the departure of Jesse. He has been my favorite character since S1E1. I’ve never missed an episode!
I will miss his character even though I felt he and Brett shouldn’t have gotten together after Dawson left. With all the women in the world…C’mon. But I hope they don’t lose anymore people.
Very good send off I think Gallo will fill the void
At some point, I truly do hope Spenser does come back to to continue with the Series🙏
I’m heartbroken I don’t want him to leave I’m going to miss him I hope he come back soon
Very very sad..
Very good send off I think Gallo will step up and fill the void
Myself is kinda sad that this means we won’t likely see Dawson anymore 😭
Both are open to come back, so give it some time : )
I got tired of Dawson. She can stay gone…Casey needs to come back, though.
I am heart broken. He and Taylor are my favorite along with Silvie.
Please come back Jesse or the show may lose its luster.
I’m honestly surprised! I thought this was going to be another fake out.
All I can say is thank you to everyone involved with the production of Chicago Fire! Through your amazing work & dedication you have become a very much needed escape from the reality that we live so thank you again for all that you have blessed us with by coming into so many households across the nation….
& btw, “Mr. Matt Casey” all your fans wish you the best in all that you do moving forward which includes getting your tail back on the show! God bless you, best of luck, and take care “Alderman”!
Nooooo!! I was rooting for a Casey and Brett for so long. Dang it!
Ya never know, Casey might be back at the end of the season to get Brett and she leaves with him back to Oregon.
While it’s hard to say goodbye to Casey, I think this was a great sendoff. While there was urgency in having him go to Oregon, the sendoff wasn’t rushed. There was a natural progression, and while it was hard to say goodbye, I found this to have been done with so much class I couldn’t be upset.
Some other shows (I’m talking about you NCIS) should take a lesson from how this was done.
Great and sad episode! I’ve watched Chicago Fire from the beginning!!! Absolutely one of my all time favorite shows!
But, I CRIED tonight.