CHICAGO FIRE: Derek Haas on Finding the Right Way to Say Goodbye to DuShon Brown

CHICAGO FIRE lost one of its own in 2018, when DuShon Brown (who played Connie) passed away in March.

It left the writers with a tough task: Brown had filmed three episodes prior to her death, and there were only a handful left in the season. “I just didn’t want to do something disrespectful [to] her family, [and] our cast and crew had grown close to her,” CHICAGO FIRE executive producer Derek Haas recalled to reporters.

Haas credited Andrea Newman, one of the show’s writers, with coming up with the idea to leave the firehouse to pursue a career in counseling at schools. (Brown was also a school counselor.) The producer touched base with series star Eamonn Walker, who was close with Brown, and asked for his take/to get the late actress’ family’s OK to include it in the series.

Check out the video for more from Haas, including the message he wanted to relay in the season premiere scene…

CHICAGO FIRE, Wednesday, January 9, 9/8c, NBC

RELATED:

• CHICAGO FIRE: ‘Inside These Walls’ Photos
• CHICAGO FIRE Fall Finale: Derek Haas on Casey’s New Threat, Severide and Stella, and Cruz’s Roller Coaster
• CHICAGO FIRE Boss Teases the Fall Finale: ‘We’re Going to Have a Lot of People in Jeopardy’
• CHICAGO FIRE: Jesse Spencer Teases the ‘Best Pile-Up Ever’ in the Fall Finale
• ONE CHICAGO: NBC Orders More CHICAGO MED, CHICAGO FIRE, and CHICAGO P.D.
• CHICAGO FIRE Post-Mortem: Derek Haas on the Unexpected Return
• CHICAGO FIRE: Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo on Severide and Stella’s Relationship
• CHICAGO FIRE’s Annie Ilonzeh and Kara Killmer on Their New Partnership
• CHICAGO FIRE: Christian Stolte, Joe Minoso, and David Eigenberg Showcase Firehouse 51, Molly’s Sets

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @marisaroffman on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv