The Firehouse 51 Exodus: 6 Major Characters Who Left Chicago Fire In 2024 And 2025—And The Shocking Real Reasons Why

The iconic Firehouse 51 has been hit by an unprecedented series of departures, leaving fans reeling and the future of the long-running drama, *Chicago Fire*, in question. The period spanning the end of Season 12 and the lead-up to Season 14 has marked one of the most significant cast shake-ups in the show's history, seeing beloved veterans and promising newcomers alike say goodbye. As of December 14, 2025, the total count of major exits has reached six, driven by a mix of personal choice, creative decisions, and a surprising wave of network-wide budget cuts. This deep-dive article breaks down every recent departure, revealing the emotional on-screen storylines, the actors' real-life reasons for leaving, and the devastating financial decisions that are reshaping the landscape of *One Chicago*. From Sylvie Brett's long-awaited happy ending to the unexpected termination of two fan-favorite firefighters, the reasons behind the Firehouse 51 exodus are complex and often heartbreaking.

The Departing Heroes: A Biographical Profile of Key Exiting Actors

The recent wave of departures includes actors who have been with the show since the very beginning and those who quickly became fan favorites. Understanding their careers provides context for the massive shift in the *Chicago Fire* ensemble.

• Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett)
• Born: June 14, 1988, in Crowley, Texas, U.S.
• Role on CF: Paramedic in Charge, Sylvie Brett (Seasons 3–12).
• Career Highlight: Graduated with a BFA in performance from Baylor University. Before *Chicago Fire*, she was known for her role in the Hulu series *If I Can Dream*. She joined *CF* in 2014, taking over the main paramedic role.
• Eamonn Walker (Wallace Boden)
• Born: June 12, 1962, in London, England.
• Role on CF: Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden (Seasons 1–12).
• Career Highlight: A veteran British actor known for his roles in the HBO prison drama *Oz* (as Kareem Saïd) and the film *Unbreakable*. He was one of the last remaining original cast members of *Chicago Fire*.
• Alberto Rosende (Blake Gallo)
• Born: February 14, 1993, in South Florida, U.S.
• Role on CF: Firefighter Blake Gallo (Seasons 8–12).
• Career Highlight: Gained prominence for his role as Simon Lewis in the Freeform series *Shadowhunters*. He joined *Chicago Fire* in 2019 and became a key member of Truck 81.
• Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter)
• Born: October 10, 1995, in the U.S.
• Role on CF: Firefighter Darren Ritter (Seasons 7–13).
• Career Highlight: An American actor with a strong background in Chicago's film and theatrical performance scene, having been involved with After School Matters programs. He was promoted to series regular in Season 9.
• Jake Lockett (Sam Carver)
• Role on CF: Firefighter Sam Carver (Seasons 11–13).
• Career Highlight: An American actor who joined the series in Season 11. Interestingly, Lockett holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University before pursuing acting.

The Four Major Exits of Season 12: Storylines and Real-Life Decisions

Season 12 of *Chicago Fire* was a non-stop emotional rollercoaster, featuring the exits of four major characters, two of whom had been staples of the show for nearly a decade.

1. Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett: The Happy Ending Departure

Sylvie Brett’s departure was perhaps the most anticipated, yet bittersweet, exit of Season 12. After ten years on the show, actress Kara Killmer decided it was time to move on, and the writers gave her character a perfect send-off. * The Storyline Exit: Sylvie Brett married the love of her life, Captain Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), in a beautiful, intimate ceremony. The wedding, which took place in a small-town fish store, was a classic *One Chicago* moment. Following the wedding, Brett, Casey, and their newly adopted daughter, Julia, moved to Portland, Oregon, allowing the family to finally be together. * The Real Reason: Kara Killmer stated that she felt her time as Sylvie Brett had naturally concluded. In an interview, she expressed a desire to explore new projects and felt the character's arc, especially the "Brettsey" romance, had reached its peak. Her departure was described as an amicable and creative decision. * Departure Date: Final episode aired in February 2024.

2. Alberto Rosende as Blake Gallo: A Sudden, Amicable Goodbye

Firefighter Blake Gallo, who joined Firehouse 51 as a raw, passionate recruit in Season 8, was the first major character to exit in Season 12, leaving Truck 81 short-handed from the start. * The Storyline Exit: Gallo decided to leave Firehouse 51 to move to Detroit. His decision was driven by an opportunity to be closer to his extended family, specifically an aunt who needed his support in running the family's business. This move was framed as Gallo taking a crucial step in his personal growth and maturity. * The Real Reason: Actor Alberto Rosende stated that his exit was an amicable decision that he had made with the producers. He later opened up about the difficulty of the choice, but emphasized his excitement for new opportunities and projects outside of the *One Chicago* universe. * Departure Date: Final episode was the Season 12 premiere, which aired in January 2024.

3. Eamonn Walker as Chief Wallace Boden: A Legend Steps Away

Chief Boden was the heart and soul of Firehouse 51, having been a series regular since the very first episode in 2012. His departure marked the end of an era for the show. * The Storyline Exit: Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden accepted a new, prestigious position as the Deputy Fire Commissioner. This promotion was a natural and well-deserved culmination of his long career and an honorable way to write out a foundational character. He left Firehouse 51 in the Season 12 finale. * The Real Reason: Eamonn Walker chose to step away from his full-time series regular role after 12 seasons. While the exact personal reasons were not detailed, it is common for veteran actors on long-running procedurals to seek a less demanding schedule or pursue other creative endeavors. The showrunners have left the door open for guest appearances, confirming his legacy. * Departure Date: Final episode as a series regular was the Season 12 finale, which aired in May 2024.

4. Rome Flynn as Derrick Gibson: The Short-Lived Stint

The character of Derrick Gibson was introduced in Season 12 as a potential replacement for Gallo, but his time at Firehouse 51 was surprisingly brief. * The Storyline Exit: Gibson, a transfer firefighter, was dealing with a personal addiction and mental health crisis. After an incident, he confessed to Chief Boden that he needed to step away from the CFD to focus on his recovery and well-being. * The Real Reason: Actor Rome Flynn's exit was unexpected and his character was written out after only a handful of episodes. While the actor did not give a specific reason, the quick departure of a new character often points to a creative decision by the writers/producers to adjust the cast dynamics or a mutual agreement on the character's arc.

The Looming Threat: Budget Cuts Claiming More Firefighters in 2025

While the Season 12 departures were framed by compelling storylines, the most recent and arguably most shocking news involves the impending exits of two more beloved characters, reportedly due to corporate financial restructuring.

Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver)

In a move that has stunned the *One Chicago* fanbase, reports confirm that both Daniel Kyri (Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Carver) are expected to exit the series. * The Confirmed Reason: Multiple industry reports indicate that the departures of Kyri and Lockett are a direct result of budget cuts being implemented across Wolf Entertainment's NBC procedural dramas. This decision is purely financial, aiming to trim the overall production budget by reducing the number of series regulars. * The Impact: The exit of Ritter, a character who grew from a nervous temporary firefighter to a confident, integral member of the team, and Carver, who provided a compelling, complex counterpoint to the established crew, is a major loss. The fact that the reason is financial rather than a natural story conclusion has generated significant fan frustration and concern over the show's future stability. * Departure Timeline: These exits are anticipated to occur at the end of Season 13 or before the beginning of Season 14, which will air in 2025.

Topical Authority: The Ripple Effect of the Firehouse 51 Shake-Up

The sheer volume of recent cast changes—six major series regulars and recurring stars leaving in just over a year—is a seismic event for *Chicago Fire*. This level of turnover creates several key topical shifts:

1. The Search for New Leadership (Chief Boden’s Replacement)

Chief Boden's departure leaves a massive void in the leadership of Firehouse 51. The biggest storyline moving forward is who will step up to fill the role of the new Battalion Chief. Potential candidates include Lieutenant Stella Kidd or Captain Christopher Herrmann, which would create a chain reaction of promotions and new additions to the team.

2. The Ambulance 61 Crisis (The New Paramedic)

With Sylvie Brett gone, Ambulance 61 needs a new Paramedic in Charge to partner with Violet Mikami. The show has a history of introducing new paramedics who become mainstays, making this a crucial casting decision that will define the chemistry of the ambulance crew.

3. The Impact of Budget Cuts on Storytelling

The financial reasons behind the Ritter and Carver exits are a stark reminder of the business side of television. Fans are concerned that these budget-driven decisions will lead to a reduction in the show's quality, forcing writers to create rushed or unsatisfying exit storylines for characters who were not ready to leave. This also raises fears about which other veteran cast members might be next as their contracts come up for renewal.

4. LSI Keywords and Related Entities

The ongoing conversation around the show is rich with related entities that drive topical authority: * One Chicago Universe: The interconnected nature of *Chicago Fire*, *Chicago P.D.*, and *Chicago Med*. * Brettsey: The popular ship name for Sylvie Brett and Matt Casey. * Firehouse 51: The central location and main setting. * Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61: The primary units of the house. * Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide): The remaining lead actor whose status is always a point of discussion. * Jesse Spencer (Matt Casey): Brett’s husband and former lead, whose return for the wedding was a major event. * Deputy Fire Commissioner: Boden's new role. * Series Regulars vs. Recurring Cast: The contract status that influences budget decisions. * Wolf Entertainment: Dick Wolf's production company responsible for the *One Chicago* franchise. The next few seasons of *Chicago Fire* will be defined by how the remaining cast and crew navigate this period of massive change. The show has proven its resilience before, but the sheer number of departures, especially those driven by budget, presents a unique challenge to the emotional core of Firehouse 51.