At TV Fanatic, we’re big fans of Monica Raymund.
We’ve watched her in Lie to Me, Chicago Fire, and Hightown. She’s made a career of playing complex characters, and all of her roles have been unique.
While we’d love her to stop by for a Chicago Fire encore, she reunited with Dick Wolf in the super producer’s first scripted streaming series, On Call.
The eight-episode drama dropped in its entirety on Prime Video on Thursday, January 9, and we’re glad to report that it perfectly utilizes the switch from broadcast to streaming for Wolf.
On Call is hard-hitting and gripping, and we’re still trying to wrap our heads around all the twists and turns.
Still, the inciting incident involving Monica’s character, Maria Delgado, shines through the season like a halo effect.
Ahead of the premiere, Monica wasn’t attached to the show’s press junkets, leading us to believe there was a catch of sorts regarding her character.
That was proven true when Maria was shot and killed just minutes into the series premiere, proving once again that we should never get attached to any characters in the Dick Wolf universe.
Monica Raymund’s On Call Role Was Short
Understandably, viewers will have questions about the decision to kill off someone who seemed like a heavy player to those going into the show blind. However, looking back, it was a fascinating way to show the audience that On Call will take significant risks.
We’ve become accustomed to these risks on the likes of Chicago Fire, FBI, and Law & Order: SVU.
But since those shows tend to keep these types of developments for the final minutes of their episodes to keep viewers waiting for answers for longer, it highlights why bringing Dick Wolf to the world of streaming was a good idea.
Despite Monica’s short role on On Call, her character’s demise sets off a chain of events that puts the other characters, led by Troian Bellisario’s Traci Harmon, through the wringer.
By the end of the season, everyone is changed through Maria’s death because her murder leads to a period of reflection for those in the force as they come to terms with the mortal danger they put themselves in every day.
Monica Raymund Should Return to Chicago Fire
Having Monica around as a series regular would have been great, but which other TV veterans can say they had one of the most shocking deaths in the first minutes of a TV show?
If anything, this appearance showcases that Monica still has a soft spot for the Dick Wolf universe and could theoretically return to Chicago Fire or even lead a new spinoff down the line.
Gabriella Dawson is a stellar character, and after some time away, there’s much to be gained from revisiting where she’s at in life.
Dawson has been out there in the world charting a course very different from what we thought for her when she burst onto screens on Chicago Fire Season 1.
As for On Call, the series is destined for a bright future on Prime Video.
The shorter than typical drama series runtime allows it to trim the unnecessary scenes and focus on what matters: The characters.
A series of that caliber wouldn’t be possible without a firm eye on characterization, and we hope to see many more seasons because there’s a lot of story left to tell by the end of the season.
What are your thoughts on Monica Raymund’s short but sweet appearance on On Call?
Do you think it was a waste of a great actress, or do you think it successfully highlighted why the show is a must-watch TV?
Hit the comments and share your thoughts with us! We only exist because you do.
See you down there!
Watch On Call Online
