The Massive Firehouse 51 Shakeup: 5 Key Cast Members Leaving And Joining Chicago Fire Season 14

The landscape of Firehouse 51 is undergoing one of its most dramatic transformations in years. As of December 18, 2025, fans of the long-running NBC drama *Chicago Fire* are grappling with a significant cast shakeup that has seen multiple beloved and newly introduced characters exit the series, while fresh faces are stepping in to fill the void for the upcoming Season 14. This major overhaul promises to inject new tension and dynamics into the show’s core crew, impacting the lives of characters like Kelly Severide, Stella Kidd, and Christopher Herrmann.

The One Chicago universe is known for its high-stakes drama and emotional departures, but the sheer volume of changes announced following Season 13 has caught many viewers off guard. The exits of three prominent actors—two long-time regulars and one recent addition—signal a massive shift in the Firehouse 51 roster, paving the way for a new era of firefighting challenges and personal stories in the next season.

The Central Figures in the Chicago Fire Cast Shakeup

The recent changes involve a mix of long-standing series regulars, key recurring characters, and new arrivals. Here is a detailed profile of the five actors at the center of the Season 13/Season 14 transition, including the departing stars and the new talent stepping into Firehouse 51.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) - Departure

• Role on Chicago Fire: Firefighter Darren Ritter, a member of Engine 51.
• Character Arc: Kyri joined in Season 7 as a recurring guest star before being promoted to a series regular. Ritter was known for his grounded presence, his relationship with his boyfriend, and his work alongside Stella Kidd and Joe Cruz.
• Biography: Daniel Kyri (born October 10, 1995) is an American actor known primarily for his role on *Chicago Fire*. He has an extensive background in theater, having performed in Charles Smith's play "Objects in the Mirror" at the Goodman Theatre. His other notable credits include the Freeform film "The Thing About Harry".

Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) - Departure

• Role on Chicago Fire: Firefighter Sam Carver, a member of Truck 81.
• Character Arc: Lockett joined in Season 11, quickly establishing Carver as a complex character with a troubled past, often clashing with Stella Kidd before becoming a more reliable and integral member of the team. His departure was foreshadowed when his character took time off near the end of Season 13.
• Biography: Jake Ryan Lockett (born March 12, 1985) is an American actor, writer, and singer. He holds a degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University. Before *Chicago Fire*, he appeared in shows like *2 Broke Girls* and has a diverse background that includes theater.

Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) - Departure

• Role on Chicago Fire: Firefighter Jack Damon, Kelly Severide’s newly discovered half-brother.
• Character Arc: Bradway’s character was a late Season 13 addition, creating immediate drama as the previously unknown half-brother of Severide. His arc was brief but impactful, setting up potential future storylines that now seem unlikely to materialize, though producers are reportedly open to him reprising the role if his schedule allows.
• Biography: Michael Bradway (born December 30, 1998) is an American actor, model, and producer, originally from Boca Raton, Florida. He is also known for his modeling work and is signed with SELECT Model.

Brandon Larracuente (Sal Vasquez) - New Addition

• Role on Chicago Fire: Firefighter Sal Vasquez, a new member of Truck 81.
• Character Arc: Larracuente is set to join as a new series regular for Season 14, filling one of the vacant spots on the Truck 81 crew left by the departures. His character is expected to be a key figure in the new season's dynamics.
• Biography: Brandon A. Larracuente (born November 16, 1994) is an American actor from Pleasantville, New York. He is widely recognized for major roles in popular streaming series, including playing Ben Rayburn in Netflix’s *Bloodline* and Jeff Atkins in *13 Reasons Why*. He also starred in the Freeform drama *Party of Five*.

Dermot Mulroney (Battalion Chief Dom Pascal) - Recent Addition

• Role on Chicago Fire: Battalion Chief Dom Pascal.
• Character Arc: Mulroney joined the cast in Season 13, taking on a commanding role as the new Battalion Chief. His presence immediately changed the command structure at Firehouse 51, providing a new layer of authority and potential conflict for the main characters.
• Biography: Dermot Patrick Mulroney (born October 31, 1963) is a highly prolific American actor and musician. He has a long and varied career spanning decades, known for his roles in romantic comedies like *My Best Friend's Wedding*, dramas, and westerns. His extensive filmography provides a significant boost to the show's star power.

The Shocking Triple Exit: Why Three Firefighters Are Leaving Firehouse 51

The most impactful element of the cast shakeup is the simultaneous departure of three actors who played pivotal roles in the recent seasons. Daniel Kyri, Jake Lockett, and Michael Bradway all exited the series following the conclusion of Season 13. This is a rare and significant change for the One Chicago franchise, which typically manages one or two major departures per season.

The End of Ritter’s Tenure

Daniel Kyri’s character, Darren Ritter, had been a fixture at Firehouse 51 since Season 7, growing from a nervous candidate into a confident and dedicated firefighter. His departure leaves a major hole in Engine 51, and his personal relationships with characters like Stella Kidd and Joe Cruz will undoubtedly be felt. While the exact narrative reason for his exit is tied to the Season 13 finale, the loss of a character who represented a strong moral compass and community focus is a blow to the team's dynamic.

Sam Carver’s Unfinished Business

Jake Lockett's Sam Carver was a fan-favorite for his complex personality and his budding, complicated romantic tension with Violet Mikami. Carver's exit follows a narrative thread where he was taking time off, a storyline that left the door slightly ajar for a potential return, though he is confirmed to be leaving as a series regular. The loss of Carver means Truck 81 loses a key personality, and the potential for a long-term relationship with Violet is now in jeopardy, leaving fans with an unresolved cliffhanger.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

The Mystery of Jack Damon

Michael Bradway’s role as Jack Damon, Kelly Severide’s half-brother, was a compelling late-season twist that introduced a significant new family dynamic for Severide. Damon’s abrupt departure, despite the compelling nature of his introduction, suggests the writers may have pivoted away from a long-term family drama storyline. However, the open-ended nature of his exit, with talks of a possible return, keeps the door ajar for future guest appearances, potentially reigniting the Severide family drama in Season 14 or beyond.

New Faces and New Dynamics: Introducing Sal Vasquez and Dom Pascal

To counteract the significant loss of three members, *Chicago Fire* is bringing in fresh talent to revitalize the Firehouse 51 environment and introduce new plot possibilities. The arrival of new characters is a classic Dick Wolf strategy to keep the procedural drama engaging and prevent stagnation.

Brandon Larracuente as Sal Vasquez

The most anticipated new arrival is Brandon Larracuente, who steps into the role of Firefighter Sal Vasquez. Vasquez will be joining Truck 81, directly filling one of the vacant spots. Larracuente's previous experience in high-profile dramatic roles like *13 Reasons Why* suggests that Sal Vasquez will be a character with depth, potentially carrying his own emotional baggage or a secret that will unfold over the course of Season 14. His integration into the existing Truck 81 crew, especially under the command of Lieutenant Stella Kidd, will be a central focus of the new season.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

Dermot Mulroney’s Command Presence

While not a brand-new addition for Season 14, Dermot Mulroney’s role as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal is a key factor in the current shakeup. Mulroney’s established career and gravitas lend immediate authority to the character. As the new Chief, Pascal's decisions will directly impact the careers and lives of everyone at the firehouse. His presence ensures that the professional hierarchy remains a source of tension and a driving force for many of the show's storylines, particularly for the senior officers like Boden, Severide, and Herrmann.

The Impact on Firehouse 51 and Future Storylines

The sheer scale of this cast shakeup means that Season 14 of *Chicago Fire* will feel fundamentally different. The departures of Ritter and Carver, in particular, remove two of the younger, more dynamic personalities from the main ensemble. This forces the remaining characters to step up and redefine their roles.

• Truck 81 Rebuilding: With Carver gone and Vasquez arriving, Lieutenant Stella Kidd will face the challenge of integrating a new, potentially unknown quantity into her tight-knit team. This provides a strong leadership storyline for Kidd as she molds the new firefighter.
• Engine 51's Void: Ritter's exit leaves a gap in the heart of Engine 51. The dynamic between Joe Cruz and the remaining crew members will have to evolve, potentially introducing a new candidate or shifting responsibilities to established characters.
• Severide's New Focus: Kelly Severide's brief, intense storyline with his half-brother Jack Damon is now on pause. This allows the show to shift Severide’s focus back to his firehouse duties, his marriage to Stella Kidd, and the ongoing arson investigations that often define his character.

This "changing of the guard" is a necessary evolution for a long-running series like *Chicago Fire*. While saying goodbye to beloved characters is always difficult for the fandom, the introduction of fresh perspectives and talented actors like Brandon Larracuente and Dermot Mulroney ensures that the drama remains compelling, the stakes stay high, and the spirit of Firehouse 51 continues to burn brightly in the One Chicago universe.