Annie Ilonzeh, who plays paramedic Emily Foster opposite Kara Killmer’s Sylvie Brett, will not return for Season 9, TheWrap has learned.

She was on the drama series for two seasons, replacing Gabby Dawson, played by Monica Raymund, as the lead in Season 7. She is the second cast member to unexpectedly leave the show this season , after Otis, played by Yuriy Sardarov. died in the season premiere.

It’s possible that the NBC drama will explain Ilonzeh’s departure by sending her to medical school, which her character applied to and received an interview for in the Season 8 finale airing on the 15th. April.

“Chicago Fire” follows the lives of the firefighters, rescue crews and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51, who risk their lives to save and protect the people of Chicago.

The cast includes Jesse Spencer as Captain Matthew Casey, Taylor Kinney as Lieutenant Kelly Severide Eamonn Walker as Battalion Chief Wallace Boden, Killmer as Paramedic Sylvie Brett, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann, Christian Stolte as Randy “Mouch” McHolland, Miranda Rae Mayo as firefighter Stella Kidd, Joe MInoso as team member Joe Cruz, and Alberto Rosende as newcomer Blake Gallo.

“Chicago Fire” is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Derek Haas, Todd Arnow, Andrea Newman, Michael Gilvary, Michael Brandt, Reza Tabrizi, Arthur Forney and Peter Jankowski. Universal Television produces in association with Wolf Entertainment.