Similar to shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” the “One Chicago” universe is prone to injure or kill off characters simply for dramatic effect. This flair for the dramatic was showcased when the show’s writers decided to kill off beloved character Leslie Shay at the beginning of the third season. In an interview with TVLine, the executive producer of “Chicago Fire,” Matt Olmstead, said that it was decided that they would kill off Shay to make a “big impact, as opposed to going for a lesser-known character.”
“She was very professional about it,” Olmstead told TVLine of Lauren German leaving behind her role as Shay. “She joked that she wasn’t going to miss the Chicago winters. She’s a California girl. So it was nice to know she was able to joke about it a little bit.” Olmstead continued, “What I’m going to miss about Shay is what I’m going to miss about Lauren German, which is an extremely talented actress who can play both heavy dramatic scenes, but had a light touch and was funny and just likable.”
German has since moved on from her role on “Chicago Fire,” most recently starring as Chloe Decker on “Lucifer,” a show that follows the actual devil himself as he leaves hell behind to start a new life in Los Angeles. As Entertainment Weekly reported, “Lucifer” officially came to an end after six seasons back in September 2021.
