Fans of Chicago Fire are already looking ahead to the Season 10 finale, and with

good reason. Not only are viewers almost certain that the finale will feature the

long-awaited wedding between Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd, but series co-creator/

showrunner Derek Haas let slip last month that Jesse Spencer may return as Matthew Casey. Almost as soon as that became public, some longtime audience members asked the natural follow-up question: will Monica Raymund also come back as Gabriela Dawson?

Raymund exited the series at the end of Season 6, though she did return in the Season 7 premiere for Dawson to tell Casey that she was going to stay in Puerto Rico, thus saying goodbye to him and their marriage. However, the character has never really left the minds of Chicago Fire fans because of that guest appearance and another one in Season 8. The latter involved her having a one-night stand with Casey, which undid the closure they’d gotten in Season 7. Add that to the fact that the soon-to-be-married couple are friends of hers, and it’s understandable to wonder if Season 10 will include another Dawson cameo.

However, it’s not likely to happen. Haas was asked that exact question during the same press day he revealed Spencer’s potential return, and said there weren’t any similar plans in place for Raymund. And that’s not shocking — the actress and director has moved well on from the One Chicago universe. She directed three episodes of FBI and two different Law & Orders, and is now starring in the Starz drama Hightown, which was renewed for a third season in March 2022. If Raymund’s not busy either in front of or behind the camera, she might just not be interested in coming back, especially for what likely wouldn’t be a large part.

As complicated as the episode was, Raymund’s return in Season 8, Episode 9, “Best Friend Magic” made sense because Dawson was a key character in that script. One of the main storylines was about her return to Chicago and its effect on Casey, particularly as he was still trying to sort out his feelings for her ex-partner/best friend Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer, whom fans fear is leaving). The Season 10 finale’s personal storyline will focus on Stellaride, and Dawson popping up again would naturally pull focus away from them and onto her and the open-ended nature of her relationship with Casey.

That’s also why having Dawson at the Stellaride wedding wouldn’t be fair to her character. Dawson has built a successful career outside of Firehouse 51, and it’d be surprising if she hasn’t gotten a new love interest just like Casey has. Bringing her back would be pulling her back into a world she’s moved on from yet again, and where there’s not a clear place for her. Another Dawsey moment wouldn’t make any sense since Chicago Fire is now all-in on Brettsey; if Casey does come back, the show’s going to focus on his relationship with Brett. It’s possible that Dawson could show up just to be there for Stella and give her blessing to Brettsey, but the latter should’ve happened in Season 8, and then again, at least part of the episode becomes about Casey’s love life.

And if Raymund does happen to be available, it wouldn’t do her justice to have her fly out to Chicago for a scene or two, or just to show Dawson in the crowd at the wedding. She deserves to have a significant part. But with the wedding (and whatever will go wrong before the wedding, because this is Chicago Fire), plus whatever cliffhanger Haas sets up for Season 11, there’s already going to be a lot packed into the finale. And writing a terrible guest spot for a beloved character is worse than their not coming back at all. As much as many fans still miss Dawson, it’s best to say she sends her love (and possibly a wedding gift), and let her be present that way than work in another cameo that wouldn’t be everything fans want it to be.