The fan-favorite character will be back for one episode, airing April 16.
Wallace Boden is coming back to Firehouse 51.
After exiting Chicago Fire at the end of its 12th season, Eamonn Walker is returning for one night only, to reprise the role of fan-favorite character and former chief, Wallace Boden.
The 18th episode of season 13, “Post-Mortem,” sees Boden back with the team after being asked to “run a post-incident analysis following a house fire that collapsed with a firefighter inside.” The episode is slated to air on Wednesday, April 16.
This will mark Walker’s first appearance on the show since his 2024 exit. The actor has portrayed Chief Wallace Boden since the series debuted in 2012.
Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman said in a statement, “We’re so excited to have our beloved Chief Boden back, and the episode, titled ‘Post-Mortem,’ is a thrill ride unlike any we’ve done before. Told with flashbacks and unique POVs, Chief Boden leads our team on a search to discover the how, who, and why of a fierce firefight that ended in disaster.”
Last year, Walker’s exit was explained away by Boden being promoted from Chief to Deputy Commissioner of the city’s fire department. Just as fans hoped, that left a door open for Walker to potentially cameo in future seasons. Following his departure, Dermot Mulroney joined the cast as the new head of 51, Chief Dom Pascal.
Walker’s departure was one of many big changes that shook-up the show in season 12. Kara Kilmer departed as well, after 10 seasons as EMT Sylvie Brett, and OG cast member Taylor Kinney returned as Kelly Severide, after a brief hiatus.
The firefighter procedural follows both the professional and personal lives of the firefighters, rescue personnel, and paramedics of a Chicago Fire Department as they risk their lives to save and protect their city.
