Beyond Chicago Fire: Monica Raymund’s Surprising Role Behind an Award-Winning Crime Series

After Leaving Chicago Fire, Monica Raymund Quietly Became One of TV’s Most In-Demand Directors — And Her Latest Success Is Turning Heads

When Monica Raymund said goodbye to Gabriela Dawson in NBC’s One Chicago universe, many fans assumed they had seen the last major chapter of her television career. Instead, Raymund pulled off one of Hollywood’s most impressive behind-the-scenes transformations, quietly evolving from beloved actress to one of the industry’s most sought-after television directors.

Best known for portraying fearless paramedic-turned-firefighter Gabriela Dawson on Chicago Fire from 2012 to 2019—while also making memorable appearances across Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med—Raymund has spent the past several years building an extraordinary directing résumé that continues to grow with every project.

Her latest triumph comes with the iconic Dexter franchise. In 2025, Raymund directed four standout episodes of Dexter: Resurrection (Episodes 3, 4, 7, and 8), helping shape one of the year’s most talked-about crime dramas. The revival quickly became both a critical and fan favorite, earning an outstanding 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes after its debut season. Many viewers praised the show’s cinematic storytelling, emotional intensity, and polished direction—qualities that Raymund helped bring to life behind the camera.

Her involvement with the franchise actually began even earlier. Before Dexter: Resurrection, Raymund directed four episodes of Dexter: Original Sin during its first season, which aired between late 2024 and early 2025. Although the prequel ultimately wasn’t renewed, it still received widespread appreciation from longtime Dexter fans, with many applauding its atmosphere, performances, and fresh perspective on the beloved character’s origins.

But Raymund’s directing journey didn’t begin with Dexter. Long before stepping into one of television’s most recognizable crime franchises, she had already proven herself as a gifted storyteller behind the lens.

She made her television directing debut in 2018 with an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, immediately showcasing an eye for suspense, pacing, and emotional character moments. That opportunity opened the door to even larger projects, and she soon became a trusted director across multiple high-profile network dramas.

Among her most notable achievements was directing several episodes of Dick Wolf’s hit CBS procedural FBI. Her first assignment came with Season 2, Episode 13, before she was entrusted with directing the ambitious crossover event between FBI and Chicago P.D.—a massive production that required coordinating multiple casts, storylines, and creative teams.

Reflecting on that experience in a 2020 interview with Wolf Entertainment, Raymund revealed exactly why directing has become her true passion.

“My ego gets out of the way and all that matters is getting the essential moments—it is my job to tell the story. When the clock is ticking or problems arise, my adrenaline starts pumping… That is when I am most at peace—telling the story.”

The quote perfectly captures the mindset that has made Raymund such a respected filmmaker. Rather than seeking the spotlight, she thrives in the pressure of production, embracing every challenge as another opportunity to craft compelling television.

Her success with FBI only continued. Raymund returned to direct Season 3, Episode 14 in 2021 before once again stepping behind the camera for Season 6, Episode 11 in 2024, further cementing her reputation as a dependable creative force capable of handling large-scale network productions.

Today, Monica Raymund occupies a rare position in Hollywood. She has succeeded both in front of the camera as a fan-favorite performer and behind it as an accomplished director whose work spans several of television’s biggest franchises. From One Chicago to Law & Order, FBI, and now Dexter, her career has become a remarkable example of reinvention, proving that leaving an iconic acting role wasn’t the end of her story—it was only the beginning of an even more impressive one.