The Firehouse 51 Shake-Up: Every Chicago Fire Cast Change, Exit, And New Chief For Season 13 And Beyond
The Firehouse 51 family is facing its most significant roster change in years, with a wave of major exits confirmed in the lead-up to and during the current season. As of December 22, 2025, the landscape of the beloved NBC drama has been completely reshaped, forcing the remaining veterans like Lieutenant Kelly Severide and Lieutenant Stella Kidd to navigate a significantly different dynamic. Fans are reeling from the loss of long-standing characters and the sudden departures of newer faces, all while welcoming a controversial new Chief.
This comprehensive breakdown covers every confirmed actor departure, the new additions stepping into the void, and the dramatic storyline reasons behind the biggest Chicago Fire cast shake-ups from Season 12 through the highly anticipated Season 13 and beyond. The changes signal a fresh, and potentially turbulent, new era for the One Chicago flagship series.
The Complete List of Major Chicago Fire Cast Exits and Departures
The last two seasons have delivered a shocking number of high-profile departures, including a long-time main cast member and several promising newcomers. These exits have been driven by a mix of emotional storyline conclusions and, in some cases, reported cost-cutting measures behind the scenes.
- Eamonn Walker (Chief Wallace Boden)
- Character Status: Stepped down as Chief of Firehouse 51; promoted to CFD Deputy Commissioner.
- Exit Details: Walker transitioned from a full-time series regular to a recurring/guest star role, with his character, Chief Boden, moving up the ranks to a city-wide position. His final full-time appearance was in the Season 12 finale. He is confirmed to return for at least one guest episode in Season 13, titled "Post-Mortem," to help the team navigate a significant challenge.
- Kara Killmer (Paramedic Sylvie Brett)
- Character Status: Left Firehouse 51; moved to Portland.
- Exit Details: After 10 seasons as the heart of Ambulance 61, Kara Killmer departed in Season 12. Her character, Sylvie Brett, finally married her long-time love, Matt Casey, in a beautiful, emotional ceremony. The couple moved to Portland, Oregon, to start their new life together, giving the character a "truly happy ending."
- Michael Bradway (Firefighter Jack Damon)
- Character Status: Exiting ahead of Season 14.
- Exit Details: Bradway, who played the mysterious new firefighter Jack Damon, is confirmed to be leaving the series before the start of Season 14. The character was introduced in Season 12 and dropped a major bombshell in the finale: he is Kelly Severide’s half-brother. His sudden departure reportedly "undoes" one of Severide's most promising new storylines in years.
- Rome Flynn (Firefighter Derrick Gibson)
- Character Status: Left Firehouse 51; departed Chicago.
- Exit Details: Flynn’s run as Derrick Gibson was surprisingly short, lasting only six episodes in Season 12. His character, a talented but troubled firefighter, crumbled under the mental pressure of the job and a past trauma. In the episode "All the Dark," Gibson asked to be let go, with the actor later expressing sadness over the unexpected departure, suggesting the exit was a creative decision by the writers.
The Shocking Season 14 Cast Shake-Up: Ritter and Carver Out
Further compounding the cast changes are the reported departures of two popular, established characters who have been integral to Firehouse 51 for years. The news of their exits, ahead of Season 14, sent shockwaves through the fandom, with reports linking the decision to financial considerations.
The Reported Exits of Darren Ritter and Sam Carver
In a move that has been widely reported as a "broader cost-cutting effort" by the production, the following two actors are not expected to return for the next season, marking a significant loss of mid-level veteran talent from the main roster.
- Daniel Kyri (Firefighter Darren Ritter): Kyri has played the fan-favorite, openly gay firefighter Ritter since Season 7, becoming a staple on Engine 51 and a close friend to Stella Kidd and Joe Cruz. His departure removes a key member of the younger generation at the firehouse.
- Jake Lockett (Firefighter Sam Carver): Lockett’s character, Sam Carver, was introduced as a new member of Truck 81 and quickly became a complex figure, often clashing with Stella Kidd before developing a closer, complicated relationship. His exit removes a major dynamic on Truck 81 and a potential love interest storyline.
The loss of Ritter and Carver, combined with the other exits, means Firehouse 51 will be severely short-staffed and will require multiple new series regulars to fill the vacancies on Engine 51 and Truck 81.
Meet the New Chief: Dom Pascal and the Fresh Faces of Firehouse 51
To fill the massive void left by Chief Boden's promotion, the show introduced a new commanding officer, setting the stage for major tension and a shift in the firehouse's culture. Additionally, new recruits are already being lined up to replace the outgoing firefighters.
The Controversial New Firehouse 51 Chief
The most immediate and dramatic cast change for Season 13 is the arrival of the new Chief, who is already making waves.
- Dermot Mulroney (Chief Dom Pascal): Mulroney joins the cast as the new Chief of Firehouse 51, replacing Boden. His character, Dom Pascal, is described as a veteran with a tough, no-nonsense attitude. Early reports and fan reactions suggest Pascal makes a poor first impression and is initially portrayed as a "jerk," creating immediate conflict and a stark contrast to the beloved, paternal leadership of Boden. This dynamic will be a central plot point for the new season.
New Recruits Filling the Ranks
With so many open spots on Truck 81 and Engine 51, the show has already started announcing new cast members to join the team.
- Brandon Larracuente (Firefighter Sal Vasquez): Larracuente is cast as Sal Vasquez, a new firefighter slated to join the Truck 81 crew. His arrival is crucial for balancing the team following the departures of Carver and Damon. Vasquez is expected to be a series regular, providing a fresh face and new energy to the core squad.
The Future of Firehouse 51: Severide, Kidd, and Herrmann
Despite the revolving door of cast members, the show's foundation remains solid with its longest-serving veterans. The extensive changes around them, however, guarantee a challenging new dynamic for the remaining core cast.
- Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney): Severide is confirmed to return for Season 13. His character will likely be heavily involved in the aftermath of his half-brother Jack Damon’s exit and will face new challenges under the controversial Chief Pascal. His stability, alongside his wife, will be a key anchor for the series.
- Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo): Kidd is also confirmed to continue as a central figure. As a Lieutenant on Truck 81, she will be directly responsible for training and integrating new recruits like Sal Vasquez, a task made more complicated by the departure of her trusted team members, Carver and Ritter.
- Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg): Herrmann, who many expected to be Boden's successor, remains a Lieutenant at Engine 51. His reaction to the arrival of an external Chief like Dom Pascal, rather than his own promotion, is a storyline ripe for conflict and emotional depth in the new season.
The sheer volume of cast changes—ranging from the happy ending of Sylvie Brett to the shocking, cost-cutting exits of Ritter and Carver—signals a pivotal, transformative moment for Chicago Fire. The new Chief and the influx of fresh recruits mean Firehouse 51 will feel like a completely new place, promising an unpredictable and drama-filled season ahead.
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