CHICAGO FIRE Boss, Jesse Spencer on Casey’s Romantic Journey

CHICAGO FIRE’s Casey (Jesse Spencer) has had quite a romantic journey this season as he went from married (but separated), to a newly divorced man testing the dating waters.

“We started talking about [the evolution] as early as June,” CHICAGO FIRE boss Derek Haas recalls. “I was really begging Monica [Raymund (Gabby)] to come back for one episode so we could have some closure on that. As we started looking at the [rest of the] season, we went, ‘What are the emotions you go through if it wasn’t your choice?’ These kinds of things happen.”

Raymund did return for the premiere, but the bulk of the split/divorce happened with her off-screen. “We definitely didn’t want to [have Casey] pining for a character that isn’t going to be on the show, at least for the foreseeable future,” Haas says. “That would be boring, in my mind, fast. But [we needed to be] respectful of what they had for as long as they had.”

“I was glad [Monica] could come back,” Spencer adds. “It was really important. So at least there was some sense of resolution. And who knows? Maybe down the line she’ll come back again. [But right now,] I think he has moved on. Once you’ve made the decision to do it, the emotional baggage floats around for a while, but the decision to move on is the most important thing until you’re totally good.”

For Casey, reporter Naomi (Kate Villanova) helped the process. “What people tend to do is move on quickly,” Spencer notes. “You need time to go by.”

But the relationship was short-lived. After going through a lot in a few episode span—sleeping together, taking down a corrupt company, and surviving the midseason finale apartment fire—the duo split on amicable terms.

“It’s not like I’m saying, ‘Hey, it’s time for Casey to go right back into a relationship,’” Haas acknowledges. “This was him exploring his newfound singleness. We’ll continue to see that [over the season].”

One person Casey will lean on is Severide (Taylor Kinney), who is fresh off his own breakup. “It’s going to be like the band’s back together,” Spencer says with a laugh. “Casey and Severide are going to become like the unit they were in season 2. Through their own breakups and mishaps, they’re going to be a really solid unit. It’s been a long time. It’s time for that. The lighter moments I get to have, I really enjoy that.”

Have you been enjoying Casey’s arc this season?

CHICAGO FIRE, Wednesdays, 9/8c, NBC

RELATED:

• CHICAGO FIRE: ‘You Choose’ Photos
• CHICAGO FIRE Boss Teases Upcoming Crossover with CHICAGO P.D.
• CHICAGO FIRE: Derek Haas on Finding the Right Way to Say Goodbye to DuShon Brown
• CHICAGO FIRE Fall Finale: Derek Haas on Casey’s New Threat, Severide and Stella, and Cruz’s Roller Coaster
• ONE CHICAGO: NBC Orders More CHICAGO MED, CHICAGO FIRE, and CHICAGO P.D.
• 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