Chicago Fire fans have seen many of their favorite actors and characters leaving the series. Eamonn Walker, who left after the season 12 finale “Never Say Goodbye,” was one of them. However, unlike a few other cast members who’ve exited and never returned, the British actor’s series regular role turned into a recurring one. Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden wasn’t on viewers’ screens as often as before, but something is better than nothing. Boden’s latest Chicago Fire appearance was during season 13’s eighteenth episode. He has to investigate who was responsible for a firefighter being left behind in a disastrous house fire that left him injured.
Despite the plot’s tough nature, the appearance was one fans loved seeing. If you’re someone who wants to see more of Boden, you’d be ecstatic to know that Walker wouldn’t mind showing up in another episode. During an interview with ScreenRant, he revealed that if the writers write another episode with Boden in it, he’ll be there.
Once a part of the family, always a part of the family. If they write another episode, I will come and do it. One of my favorite things about this place of work is they’re always there. They’re always there for each other. And we’ve held each other up over many, many years. And so yeah. Once a part of the family, always part of the family.
While speculation rose about the exact reason Walker’s role was lessened, it’s clear that there isn’t any behind-the-scenes drama that played into his decision. In fact, Chicago Fire showrunner, Andrea Newman, told TV Line in 2024 that he and others’ exits could relate to the amount of time they’ve been on television. “Actor-wise 12 years is a long [time]. Nobody expects in TV [that] they’re going to be anywhere for 12 years, I can say that for sure, from all sides.”
The showrunner also brought up how character’s exits open up new characters and storylines, which can help keep a series fresh when it’s been on the air for more than a decade. “[In] storytelling and in terms of real life, 12 years is a long time and things need to change, just dynamic-wise. You want new characters and you want new dynamics.”
Here’s What Walker Thought of His Character’s Exit As a Series Regular
When viewers first heard about Eamonn Walker’s Wallace Boden going from series regular to recurring, the first question was probably, “Why?” Well, according to Walker’s interview with TV Insider in 2024, Boden was dealing with a lot which was revealed in season 12’s finale episode. From changes at home to learning more about himself, it was time for him to understand what it means to be a true leader.
Boden has been managing a lot of change at home (with his stepson James) and at 51, and learned a lot while doing it, including about himself. A shocking incident in the finale will highlight what it means for him to be a leader, and everyone close to him will be impacted in a huge way by the decision he makes.
