One of Chicago Fire’s newest additions to the cast is also the show’s latest departure.
Rome Flynn, who played Jake Gibson on the drama, has left the show after joining at the start of season 12, PEOPLE has learned. Chicago Fire’s March 27 episode marked the actor’s final appearance.
Showrunner Andrea Newman previously expressed excitement over the addition of Flynn in January.
“He’s an electric presence and a very different energy that a lot of our guys at [Firehouse] 51. He’ll be shaking things up,” she told Variety then. “As a character, there are a lot of layers to peel back on Gibson. He’ll be a fun new element to rock 51 a little bit.”
Reps for Flynn did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. However, the actor spoke out about the shakeup in a statement shared with Variety.
“Just like all the fans, I was sad to see Gibson leave. He was a character I very much enjoyed playing,” he said. “I had a wonderful experience during my time on Chicago Fire and have great respect for the cast and crew and hope to team up with Dick Wolf again when the time is right.”
In his final appearance on the show, Flynn’s character leaves Firehouse 51 to seek treatment for his addiction to prescription drugs.
“Just wanted to say thanks for keeping it real with me,” Jake tells Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), referring to a tense conversation elsewhere in the episode over his drug issues. “Where I’m from, that means someone got your back. Appreciate that.”
“See you on the other side, brother,” Sam responds.
On Monday, Flynn, 32, posted several behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, writing simply, “curtain call chicago fire❤️” .
The actor’s exit follows several cast changes this season. Kara Killmer made her final appearance on Chicago Fire’s Feb. 28 episode following 10 seasons of playing paramedic Sylvie Brett, while Alberto Rosende, who portrayed Gallo for five seasons, also departed in the NBC procedural’s season 12 premiere. Taylor Kinney, meanwhile, returned as Lieutenant Kelly Severide after going on hiatus to “deal with a personal matter.”
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