Another original character was going to say goodbye to Firehouse 51, but ultimately didn't, as revealed in the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere. One Chicago has several characters and actors not returning in the current year due to various reasons. While all three shows experienced big losses, Chicago Fire suffered the most number of character departures in the past season. Blake Gallo, Sylvie Brett, Derrick Gibson, and Chief Wallace Boden all left Firehouse 51, resulting in massive changes to how Kelly Severide and the rest of the remaining team operate moving forward.
Each recent exit in Chicago Fire contributed to the firehouse's current situation. Among those who left, Boden's departure has had the biggest impact, especially after his plans of setting up Christopher Hermann to replace him failed. Instead, Boden is replaced by Dermot Mulroney's Dom Pascal. Not much is still known about the character thus far, as Severide and his close-knit team continue to figure out what kind of leader he is. Amid all the commotion in Chicago Fire season 13 premiere, "Monster in the Field," however, the series also secretly reveals that it narrowly missed losing another original cast member.
Cruz Explains He Turned Down Taking The Lieutenant's Exam In Chicago Fire Season 13
Getting Promoted Meant That Cruz Would Have To Leave Firehouse 51
Close
Close
Close
In one of the more understated moments in the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere, Mouch McHolland and Joe Cruz talk about the possibility of Hermann getting a promotion, which would allow the former to also get promoted. The conversation comes up after they have spent some time with Pascal, who isn't exactly warm to his new subordinates. Interestingly, Cruz talks about his earlier plans to take the lieutenant's exam so he could move up the CFD ladder. However, doing so would involve him having to move out of Firehouse 51 — something that he didn't want to do.
Had he taken the said test, he wouldn't have had any choice but to leave his current team. Otherwise, he would be overqualified for his post. The idea of wanting to get promoted came up after Cruz temporarily took over Severide's position, as Stella Kidd's husband went out of town for his OFI training camp in Chicago Fire season 11. Feeling underappreciated and disrespected by his superior once he came back, Cruz decided he wanted to be a proper lieutenant, even though that meant leaving Firehouse 51. Once his and Severide's conflict was resolved, however, he chose to stay put.
Why Chicago Fire Cannot Afford To Lose Another Original Cast Member For A While
Firehouse 51 Needs To Re-Establish Its Roster
Close
Close
Close
One Chicago isn't new to cast changes. As sad as it is to say goodbye to some fan-favorites over the years, their departures paved the way for the arrival of new characters. This allows NBC and Wolf Entertainment to keep the franchise fresh and intriguing after more than a decade on the air. That being said, Chicago Fire needs stability the most at this point. Losing Boden was massive, and the focus should be establishing Pascal as a different but capable leader. The show will have a difficult time doing that if it's always on the brink of losing someone.
