The Real Reason Adriyan Rae Is Leaving Chicago Fire

"Chicago Fire" has seen plenty of characters come and go throughout the years, including medic Gianna Mackey, who was portrayed by Adriyan Rae. When Rae joined the show in 2020 during Season 9, her character was described as "a lovable troublemaker with a twinkle in her eye," as well as someone "tough and quick to defend the defenseless, isn't afraid of a little chaos and rolls with the punches while approaching everything with a bit of wry humor" (via Deadline).

After spots on "Atlanta," "Brockmire" and "American Soul" (via IMDb), "Chicago Fire" was Rae's first time as a series regular in a procedural, and she seemed excited to show off her own background as a former medical laboratory scientist with a degree in physician assistant studies on the show, telling Fansided that the role "combined my love for action and my love for medicine. I got to do a role where I am someone who practices medicine in some way, so that was always been a dream for me."

But just one year later, Rae shocked fans by announcing that she was leaving "Chicago Fire."

Adriyan Rae never gave a specific reason for leaving "Chicago Fire" after just one season, but she told the show's creator, Derek Haas, that it was for "private reasons." 

"To hear that as a showrunner, you absolutely respect what an actor needs," Haas told Entertainment Weekly. "All I can say is we love her, and I know she's going to be great on some other series. And she left ... on great terms, so there's a chance we could check in on her." And Rae posted on Instagram that she has nothing but love for her time on the drama.  "I have learned sooo many valuable lessons, gone through acting Olympics and come out stronger, and most importantly, met & made so many amazing friends," she wrote.

Luckily, television viewers will soon see Rae back on the small screen. She has joined the cast of the reboot of "The Game," playing Brittany Pitts, the daughter of Jason (Coby Bell) and Kelly Pitts (Brittany Daniel), who appeared in the original sitcom. Daniel will be reprising her role in the Paramount+ show, alongside Pooch Hall, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Hosea Chanchez (via Deadline).