Why did Blake Gallo leave Chicago Fire? Reasons behind the character's absence, explained

Chicago Fire is a long-running NBC procedural drama that first aired in October 2012. Directed by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, the series presents the personal and professional lives of the firefighters and paramedics at Chicago's Firehouse 51.

The decisions the Chicago Firehouse 51 rescue squad and paramedics make could mean the difference between life and death as they headfirst into danger. Under Chief Wallace Boden, Matthew Casey, Kelly Severide, and the others know—Firehouse 51 lays all on the line for each other when it's go time.

Executive Producer Dick Wolf's intense drama provides an edge-of-your-seat perspective into the life of common heroes dedicated to one of America's noblest professions.

The exit of certain beloved characters has been a notable part of the series, with the show constantly evolving over its 13 seasons. Blake Gallo is one such character, whose departure in season 12 left fans a bit saddened.

Gallo made the hard choice of leaving his firefighting team in Chicago and move to Detroit so that he could spend more time with his family.

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Blake Gallo’s departure from Chicago Fire

Blake Gallo, played by Alberto Rosende, left Chicago Fire in season 12, episode 1, titled Barely Gone. His departure was tied to a personal storyline, where Gallo discovered extended family members in Michigan during season 11. As a child, Gallo lost both parents in a terrible house fire.

For years after that, he did not have any close family ties outside of Firehouse 51. At the end of season 12, his aunt asked him to move to Michigan and spend time with his new cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Blake Gallo, a young and passionate firefighter, was stationed at Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire, assigned to Truck 81. He joined the firehouse during the Chicago Fire Department's expansion of firefighters on the second shift. Gallo quickly made a strong impression with his relentless energy and dedication to the job.

Veterans like Casey, Herrmann, and Severide took him under their wing, guiding him in his journey. Later, Gallo left Chicago to move to Detroit, where he joined a firehouse and reconnected with his family.

His leaving was sad for both the character and his coworkers at Firehouse 51, who bid their goodbyes with tears in their eyes. Gallo's choice lets him start a new part of his life while still staying close to his roots.

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Season finale of Chicago Fire

The last episode of Chicago Fire season 12 was full of sad goodbyes. Another important character, Chief Wallace Boden, also left Firehouse 51, marking the end of an era. In the last episode, Boden accepted a high-level job offer as Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Department of Chicago.

Since he was promoted, he had to leave Firehouse 51 and take on new duties. The team came together one last time for this emotional goodbye to honor Boden's service and celebrate his new journey.

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Other characters who left Chicago Fire

A lot of characters have left Chicago Fire over the years. Blake Gallo wasn't the only one who left in season 12. Kara Killmer's character, Sylvie Brett, also left after getting married to Matt Casey and moving to Oregon. When she left Firehouse 51, where she worked as the Paramedic in Charge, her journey came to an end.

Derrick Gibson, played by Rome Flynn, was another important character. He replaced Gallo for a short time in season 12 but later quit the show to get help for his drug addiction.

Multiple exits in season 12 showed that the NBC series was going through a time of change, with new characters and stories coming out all the time. Even though these character deaths are hard, they are part of the show's plan to keep things interesting and new.

After Boden’s emotional exit, the NBC series introduced Dom Pascal as his replacement in season 13. Played by veteran actor Dermot Mulroney, Pascal brought a new dynamic to Firehouse 51.

With a background as a fire chief in Miami, Pascal’s leadership style is notably different from Boden’s, which introduced fresh challenges for the team.

Pascal’s personal struggles, including an estranged relationship with his wife, added another layer to his character’s complexity, making him an interesting addition to the series.

Chicago Fire has become a fan favorite over the years, and viewers can watch it on Peacock and Hulu, among other streaming services.