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The Mass Exodus: Every Major Star Who Has Left Chicago Fire Since Season 12 (And Who's Next)

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Firehouse 51 has never seen a cast shake-up quite like this. Since late 2024, the long-running NBC drama Chicago Fire has undergone a significant transformation, with a wave of beloved and key characters—some mainstays for over a decade—saying their final goodbyes to the series. The departures span from the Season 12 premiere right through to confirmed exits for the upcoming Season 14, signaling a massive shift in the show's dynamic as it heads into its next chapter.

The latest news confirms that the cast changes are far from over, with two more fan-favorite actors already slated to leave after the conclusion of Season 13. This list breaks down every major star who has left, the reasons behind their departure, and what it means for the future of Truck 81, Rescue Squad 3, and Ambulance 61.

The Complete List of Chicago Fire Departures (Season 12 to Future Seasons)

The following actors and their characters have either already departed or are confirmed to be leaving Chicago Fire in the immediate future, creating one of the most tumultuous periods in the show's history.

1. Eamonn Walker as Chief Wallace Boden

  • Character: Chief Wallace Boden
  • Seasons on Show: 1–12 (2012–2024)
  • Date of Departure: Season 12 Finale (May 2024)
  • Departure Reason: Actor stepped down as a series regular to pursue other creative opportunities, though he will reportedly return for guest appearances.

Eamonn Walker’s exit as the venerable Chief Wallace Boden was arguably the most impactful departure of Season 12. Boden, the moral compass and father figure of Firehouse 51, was promoted to the esteemed position of CFD Deputy Commissioner in the Season 12 finale. This move allowed the character to leave his post while keeping the door open for potential future guest appearances, a small comfort for long-time fans of the One Chicago universe.

2. Kara Killmer as Paramedic Sylvie Brett

  • Character: Paramedic Sylvie Brett
  • Seasons on Show: 3–12 (2014–2024)
  • Date of Departure: Season 12 (Mid-Season)
  • Departure Reason: The character's storyline concluded with a major life event.

Kara Killmer, who played Paramedic Sylvie Brett for a decade, had a significant storyline conclusion in Season 12. Brett's departure was tied to her long-awaited marriage to former Firehouse 51 colleague, Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer). The couple left Chicago to start their new life together in Portland, Oregon, providing a satisfying, albeit emotional, send-off for the fan-favorite paramedic.

3. Alberto Rosende as Firefighter Blake Gallo

  • Character: Firefighter Blake Gallo, Truck Company 81
  • Seasons on Show: 8–12 (2019–2024)
  • Date of Departure: Season 12 Premiere
  • Departure Reason: The character accepted a new job opportunity outside of Chicago.

The Season 12 premiere immediately hit viewers with a shocker: the quick departure of Alberto Rosende's character, Blake Gallo. Gallo had been a core member of Truck 81 since his introduction in Season 8, often seen as the energetic, younger face of the firehouse. His exit was explained as him taking a new job opportunity with a different firehouse outside of the city, a move that felt abrupt to many viewers who had expected a more substantial send-off for the popular firefighter.

4. Rome Flynn as Firefighter Derrick Gibson

  • Character: Firefighter Derrick Gibson
  • Seasons on Show: 12 (2024)
  • Date of Departure: Season 12 (After only six episodes)
  • Departure Reason: Character's personal struggles led him to leave to seek help.

Rome Flynn joined the cast in Season 12 as Derrick Gibson, a promising but troubled new firefighter whose arrival was meant to fill the void left by Gallo. However, his tenure was short-lived. After only six episodes, Gibson’s character arc concluded when he revealed he was struggling with personal issues related to addiction and decided to take a leave of absence to get the help he needed.

Upcoming & Confirmed Exits: The Future of Firehouse 51

The cast changes are not limited to the past season. News has already broken that more beloved characters will be departing the series in the seasons to come, a clear indication of a major creative and budgetary restructuring within the production.

5. Daniel Kyri as Firefighter Darren Ritter (Confirmed for Post-Season 13)

  • Character: Firefighter Darren Ritter, Engine Company 51
  • Seasons on Show: 7–13
  • Confirmed Exit: After Season 13
  • Departure Reason: Reportedly part of budget cuts across Wolf Entertainment's NBC shows.

The news that Daniel Kyri, who plays the fan-favorite and openly gay firefighter Darren Ritter, will be leaving after Season 13 has sent shockwaves through the fandom. Ritter has been a significant presence on Engine 51, and his departure, alongside a colleague, is rumored to be a result of budget-related cast trimming rather than a creative decision for the character.

6. Jake Lockett as Firefighter Sam Carver (Confirmed for Post-Season 13)

  • Character: Firefighter Sam Carver, Truck Company 81
  • Seasons on Show: 11–13
  • Confirmed Exit: After Season 13
  • Departure Reason: Reportedly part of budget cuts across the One Chicago franchise.

Jake Lockett's Sam Carver, a more recent addition who became a key part of Truck 81 and a love interest for Stella Kidd's friend, is also confirmed to be departing at the end of Season 13. Like Kyri's exit, Lockett's departure is believed to be a cost-saving measure, marking a tough day for the ensemble cast and a major loss for the Truck Company.

7. Michael Bradway as Firefighter Jack Damon (Confirmed for Pre-Season 14)

  • Character: Firefighter Jack Damon
  • Seasons on Show: 12 (Guest/Recurring)
  • Confirmed Exit: Ahead of Season 14
  • Departure Reason: The actor accepted a starring role in a new Prime Video series, "Every Summer After."

Michael Bradway, who played the mysterious and ambitious Jack Damon—possibly the son of the late Benny Severide—will not be returning for Season 14. Bradway's exit is purely career-driven, as he landed a major role in the upcoming Prime Video adaptation of the bestselling novel, "Every Summer After." This departure leaves the intriguing cliffhanger about Jack Damon's parentage unresolved, at least for now.

The Impact of the Great Cast Shake-Up on Firehouse 51

The sheer number of departures—seven major actors in a short span—means that Chicago Fire will look dramatically different in the seasons ahead. The show is losing a founding member (Boden), a long-time core member (Brett), and several rising stars (Gallo, Ritter, Carver, Damon).

The biggest challenge for the showrunners is filling the leadership void left by Chief Boden. The introduction of Dermot Mulroney as the new Battalion Chief, Dom Pascal, in Season 13 is a direct response to this need for a strong new authority figure. Furthermore, the promotion of Jocelyn Hudon, who plays Paramedic Lyla Novak, to a series regular for Season 13 is a clear effort to stabilize Ambulance 61 following Brett's exit.

The focus will now shift heavily to the remaining original and long-term cast members, including Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), who will be tasked with guiding a new generation of firefighters and paramedics. The ongoing story of Firehouse 51, the heart of the One Chicago franchise, continues to burn bright, but with a significantly altered crew.

Fans are left to wonder how the dynamics will change without the stability of Boden's leadership and the camaraderie of characters like Ritter and Carver. The coming seasons will be a true test of the show's ability to evolve and maintain its topical authority while integrating so many new faces into the close-knit family of Firehouse 51.

The Mass Exodus: Every Major Star Who Has Left Chicago Fire Since Season 12 (And Who's Next)
chicago fire whos leaving
chicago fire whos leaving

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