The Ultimate Firehouse 51 Shake-Up: 5 Major Chicago Fire Cast Changes That Will Define Seasons 13 & 14

The landscape of Firehouse 51 has been irrevocably altered. As of December 2025, *Chicago Fire* has undergone one of its most dramatic cast shake-ups in years, with a beloved veteran stepping into a new role and multiple key firefighters—some mainstays, others recent additions—making sudden, high-profile exits. This deep dive into the latest changes for Seasons 13 and 14 reveals the major character shifts, the new faces joining the crew, and the surprising real-world reasons behind the departures. The latest information confirms that the heart of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) is getting a significant overhaul, setting the stage for a completely new dynamic under a new leadership structure. Fans must prepare to say goodbye to some long-running favorites and welcome a fresh batch of talent ready to tackle the high-stakes drama of the One Chicago universe.

Complete Biography Profile of Key Departing and Arriving Actors (Updated December 2025)

To truly appreciate the scale of this cast turnover, it is essential to know the careers of the actors involved. The following profiles detail the backgrounds of the stars who have recently left or joined *Chicago Fire*.

• Eamonn Walker (Chief Wallace Boden)
  • Born: June 12, 1962 (London, England)
  • Career Highlights: Walker is a renowned British actor, best known for his powerful portrayal of Kareem Said in the HBO prison drama *Oz*, for which he won a CableACE Award. Other major roles include *Unbreakable* (2000), *Lord of War* (2005), and of course, Chief Wallace Boden on *Chicago Fire* for over 12 seasons.
• Dermot Mulroney (Battalion Chief Dom Pascal)
  • Born: October 31, 1963 (Alexandria, Virginia, USA)
  • Career Highlights: A veteran American actor, Mulroney is celebrated for his diverse filmography, including starring roles in *Young Guns* (1988), *My Best Friend's Wedding* (1997), and *About Schmidt* (2002). He is also an accomplished cellist.
• Daniel Kyri (Firefighter Darren Ritter)
  • Born: October 10, 1995 (USA)
  • Career Highlights: Kyri is an American actor primarily known for his role as Darren Ritter, which began as a recurring character in Season 7 before being promoted to a series regular. He is also a respected figure in the Chicago theater scene and appeared in the Freeform film *The Thing About Harry*.
• Jake Lockett (Firefighter Sam Carver)
  • Career Highlights: Lockett is an American actor, writer, and singer. Interestingly, he holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University before pivoting to acting. He is also known for his roles in *The Big Bet* and other television appearances.
• Brandon Larracuente (Firefighter Sal Vasquez)
  • Born: November 16, 1994 (USA)
  • Career Highlights: Larracuente is an American actor known for his roles in *Bloodline* and *13 Reasons Why*. He joined *Chicago Fire* in a key role for Season 14.

The Changing of the Guard: Chief Boden's Emotional Departure

The most significant change impacting the core of Firehouse 51 is the departure of Chief Wallace Boden, played by the formidable Eamonn Walker. After 12 seasons as the steadfast, moral anchor and leader of the house, Boden officially stepped away from his post. Boden's exit was not a tragic on-screen death but a professional promotion, a fitting end for a character who had long commanded respect across the entire Chicago Fire Department (CFD). In the finale of Season 12, Boden accepted the position of Deputy Fire Commissioner, a major climb up the CFD ladder. While this move keeps the character technically within the One Chicago universe, it means Eamonn Walker will no longer be a regular presence at Firehouse 51, leaving a massive void in the leadership structure.

New Leadership Arrives: Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal

With Boden moving to a higher office, the search for a new Battalion Chief was paramount. Stepping into this critical role in Season 13 is veteran actor Dermot Mulroney, portraying Battalion Chief Dom Pascal. Chief Pascal is introduced as a character with a long history in the CFD, returning to the department after a period away. Mulroney's character, Dom Pascal, immediately brings a fresh, yet potentially complicated, dynamic to the firehouse. The Chief is joined by his estranged wife, Monica Pascal, played by actress KaDee Strickland, who is set to recur throughout Season 13. This addition of a new chief and the immediate introduction of his personal, complicated life suggests that the drama at Firehouse 51 will be far from over, shifting the focus from the stable, paternal leadership of Boden to a more volatile, high-stakes command presence.

The Shocking Exits of Ritter and Carver: Budget Cuts Hit Firehouse 51

Perhaps the most surprising and disheartening cast news for fans involves the simultaneous departures of two popular firefighters, Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), following the conclusion of Season 13. Both actors are not expected to return as series regulars for Season 14. The reason for these dual exits was not a creative choice driven by the narrative, but rather a practical, corporate decision. Multiple reports indicate that the departures of Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett were part of significant budget cuts across Wolf Entertainment's NBC procedural dramas, a move the showrunner described as an "axe falling." * Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri): Ritter, who started as a recurring guest star in Season 7 and became a fan favorite for his grounded portrayal and development from a nervous candidate to a confident firefighter, confirmed his departure on social media, stating it was "time to move on." * Sam Carver (Jake Lockett): Carver joined the crew in Season 11 and quickly became a central figure, particularly in his complex relationship with Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). His character’s arc was cut short, despite growing popularity, due to the budgetary necessity to trim the main cast. The loss of both Ritter and Carver leaves massive holes in Truck 81 and the overall Firehouse 51 dynamic, forcing the remaining crew to adjust to a significant personnel shortage and a new internal hierarchy.

The Short Stint of Jack Damon and Newcomer Sal Vasquez in Season 14

The cast shake-up continued with the brief tenure and quick exit of Michael Bradway, who played firefighter Jack Damon. Bradway joined in the latter half of Season 12 but departed ahead of Season 14. The reason for Bradway’s exit was different from the budget cuts affecting Ritter and Carver. The actor was offered a lead role in the film adaptation of the novel *Every Summer After*, an opportunity that required him to step away from his role on *Chicago Fire*. This departure adds another layer to the instability at Firehouse 51, showcasing the challenge of maintaining a stable ensemble cast on a long-running procedural drama.

A New Face for Truck 81: Brandon Larracuente as Sal Vasquez

To fill the multiple vacancies left by the recent departures, Season 14 introduces another new face: Brandon Larracuente as Firefighter Sal Vasquez. Larracuente, known for his work in *13 Reasons Why*, steps into a key role as a new member of the Truck 81 crew. Sal Vasquez is described as a new firefighter who will be a "mysterious driver" for Firehouse 51. His arrival is a necessary move to replenish the ranks following the exodus of Damon, Ritter, and Carver. The introduction of a new character with a potentially mysterious backstory suggests a fresh narrative direction for the series, focusing on integrating new blood into the tight-knit family of 51.

The Impact on the Core Team and Future of Firehouse 51

The recent wave of cast changes—from Eamonn Walker's dignified promotion to the budget-driven exits of Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett—marks a pivotal transition for *Chicago Fire*. The show is known for its strong ensemble and the familial bond of Firehouse 51, making these personnel shifts a major point of anxiety for long-time viewers. The central relationships, such as the Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) marriage, and the long-standing friendships between Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and Mouch (Christian Stolte), will now be tested under the new leadership of Chief Dom Pascal. The loss of Ritter, who provided a vital perspective as one of the few openly gay characters and a key member of the team, and Carver, whose romantic and professional tension with Kidd was a major storyline, means the writers must quickly establish new, compelling character arcs. The addition of new characters like Chief Pascal, Monica Pascal, and Sal Vasquez indicates a deliberate effort to inject fresh storylines and conflicts into the narrative. As *Chicago Fire* moves into its next chapter, the show promises to maintain its high-octane rescue drama while exploring the challenges of change, new management, and the enduring resilience of the firefighters at the heart of the CFD.