Chicago Fire's Kara Killmer on Brett's 'Satisfying' Farewell and Jesse Spencer Reunion

In recent years, a revolving door of key cast exits have served as an undercurrent of NBC’s “OneChicago” procedural universe, which consists of network staples and reliable ratings drivers Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. It’s a byproduct of running a successful TV franchise — Fire is in its 12th season, Med in its ninth, and P.D. in its 11th — that actors (and the characters they portray) will leave at a certain point for any variety of reasons. Some have left to explore other creative avenues, while others have departed for personal reasons or because there was a narrative endpoint.

Already in the Season 12 premiere, Chicago Fire has said goodbye to Alberto Rosende, the actor who played firefighter Blake Gallo for four seasons, disclosing that the character relocated to nearby Michigan to be closer to family. Last season, Taylor Kinney abruptly left midseason to deal with personal matters, though he returned this year. On Wednesday, the firefighter drama will bid farewell to series regular Kara Killmer, whose departure as paramedic Sylvie Brett after nearly 10 seasons was first announced November 16, 2023. Killmer’s final episode is a monumental moment for Chicago Fire, marking the return of former series star Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey, as Brett and Casey prepare for their wedding before moving to Portland.

“This is really the natural conclusion for Sylvie's character arc,” Killmer tells Primetimer of why she decided to step back from Chicago Fire. For a character who began her career at the firehouse desperately looking to begin anew after trying to shed her past, Brett has experienced a roller-coaster of emotions, trauma, and personal loss throughout her time on Chicago Fire. It’s only fitting that she’s leaving the Windy City far stronger than when she first arrived.

“I selfishly am delighted that she came to Chicago as the jilted bride, dumped at the altar by her high school sweetheart in Fowlerton, Indiana, and she moved to Chicago to start her life over and ended up across the aisle from the love of her life and the most eligible bachelor in all of Chicago and Portland,” the actress says, referring to Brett’s nuptials to Casey. “It's so satisfying to get to see her end up with everything that she always wanted.”

Ahead of her farewell episode, Killmer reveals why it was only appropriate for Spencer to return to Chicago Fire to help wrap up her time on the show, what caused her to have an emotional breakdown, and the chances of a future pop-in.

When you first began on Chicago Fire in Season 3, I'm sure you didn't expect this to be how Brett's story wraps up. Or did you, over time, have thoughts on what you'd like her ending to be?

Absolutely not! If you had told me at the beginning of my time here that Sylvie would end up with Matt Casey, first of all I would've been really upset because I was a huge "Dawsey" fan [the couple name for previous Chicago Fire couple, Gabby Dawson and Matthew Casey]. Second of all, I would have been like, "Well, pinch me." He's such a beloved character and really represents everything that these first responders stand for. Jesse is such a wonderful actor and Casey is such a beloved character, so it is a complete privilege that Sylvie gets to end up with him at the end of her story.

What was it like stepping on set to film your final episode, which is a big one for the show and for fans with Brett and Casey’s wedding?

I had a lot of time to process saying goodbye. I probably spent more time trying to savor these last few episodes and really grieving it. My goal was to just have a good time and be with my friends and do my very best doing justice to Sylvie’s story. But it was very surreal. It's sort of like 10 years have gone by in a blink. It was bittersweet, but I would say it was definitely more sweet than bitter.

How great was it to have Jesse Spencer back for this episode? Do you feel like that was needed to wrap up Brett’s story in a satisfactory way?

Oh, absolutely. Can you imagine if we ended Sylvie’s story without Casey? That would be so weird! it's only natural; it feels almost inevitable that they would have to bring him back to help finish out her storyline. And yes, it was a complete delight. Jesse came back and it was as if no time had gone by. He just stepped right back into it, and he and I just had a lot of fun. All we do is make each other crack up the whole time we work together. It was such a treat, and it was a treat for everybody. Everybody wants to have their captain back. So it was a lot of fun to have him back and the only appropriate way to say goodbye to Sylvie.

Your character has gone through her paces during her time on Chicago Fire. You touched on how she’s reached a point now where she’s achieved a lot of what she’s wanted in life. She adopted a child earlier this season. She’s getting married. What are you proudest of with her evolution?

It is very, very humbling to have spent 10 years attempting to tell a first responder story. All of the actors would say that our goal all the time is to try our very best to distill the self-sacrifice, the humility, the brotherhood, the humor, and the grit that all of these first responders embody. And that's an ongoing challenge. That's why the show has been able to go for 12 seasons because there's always more to mine from these first-responder stories and how resilient they are, and what is it that motivates them to continue to rush back into danger with their goodwill toward their fellow man.

It's a sacred and challenging space to be in and that's one of my favorite things about playing Sylvie. Through all of her losses and all of her trauma, she continues to be a resilient person. She wants to believe the best in people. She wants to continue to help people. She doesn't get jaded. That's something that everyone can relate to and everyone wants to aspire to, especially in these times right now. We need aspirational people and that's something I continue to hope we accomplish on this show.

Can you recall what your final day on set was like?

Thankfully the last scene that we shot on my last day was the reception at Molly's and so it was a big party. I got to finish my time here in a gorgeous dress standing next to a tower of a cake. It was all of us together. We're all celebrating. We're all eating cake and dancing. It was the perfect conclusion for Sylvie and for me. It was definitely a lot of festivity.

But I will say, I did break down when our paramedic technician – she's our consultant who’s a real Chicago Fire Department paramedic – gave me a gift, which is a necklace that has the EMT badge on it. She put Sylvie's badge number and her badge number on it. That did break me down because I will always feel like I'm not worthy to be considered amongst the fellow servicemen and women. She gave that to me after my last day; she's been consulting me and she's been edifying the show for 12 years. That broke me down quite a bit.

What emotions will viewers be feeling when they watch your farewell?

I think we're going to go through the whole spectrum. You're going to cry, you're going to bite all of your fingernails off. Just keep a box of tissue and a bowl of cookie dough handy. And maybe a bottle of champagne. Why not join in the celebration?

Jesse has returned to Chicago Fire a handful of times after leaving as a series regular in Season 10. Is there a possibility for you to do the same in the future?

Yeah, sure. The door is wide open. [Firehouse] 51 is notorious for getting itself in all kinds of trouble. And if they still need to pop in and straighten things out, I am happy to come in anytime for any reason.

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9:00 PM ET on NBC. Join the discussion about the show in our forums.

Philiana Ng is a Los Angeles-based writer covering TV, celebrity, culture and more. Her work has appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, TV Guide, Yahoo Entertainment, and The Daily Beast, among others.