Chicago Fire Fan Favorite Monica Raymund Is Returning as Dawson

Chicago Firefans who have been missing Gabriela Dawson can rejoice. Monica Raymund, the actress who made the character so darn lovable, is returning to the NBC drama for its Nov. 20 winter finale, Entertainment Weeklyreports.

Raymund, who left the show to star on Jerry Bruckheimer'sHightown on Starz, will come back in Season 8 to daze and dizzy her former flame Casey (Jesse Spencer). And poor Casey doesn't stand a chance.

"Coming back to the show was a homecoming for me," Raymund told EW. "The cast of Chicago Fire will always be my family. It was such a positive experience returning to the family, and I'm so happy and grateful for a chance to work with all of them again."

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When Raymond left Chicago Fire, she also did so to try her hand at directing, which she did a year ago on Law & Order: SVU, as TV Guide previously reported.

"I was in the NBC family as talent but I had explored directing a few years ago and found that it's something I'm very seriously passionate about," Raymund said. "And when the application came out, I submitted my short film along with all the other requirements. I went through an interview process and then I was accepted."

But Raymond's departure didn't just sadden fans. Her costars were crestfallen too. "She helped make the show what it is," Christian Stolte, who plays Mouch, told TV Guide. "So there's a vacuum where she used to be."

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.