A New Era Begins at Firehouse 51
With Chicago Fire returning for Season 14 on October 1, 2025, fans are bracing themselves for a significantly altered lineup. NBC’s long-running drama is undergoing one of its biggest transitional years, as three prominent cast members will not return full-time: Daniel Kyri (Ritter), Jake Lockett (Carver), and Michael Bradway (Jack Damon).
The departure of Kyri and Lockett—both central to multiple arcs over the past few seasons—was driven by budget realignments rather than creative differences. Bradway, on the other hand, left for a leading role in Amazon Prime’s upcoming series Every Year After, based on the bestselling romance novel Every Summer After.
Why This Shift Matters
Ritter’s arc as an openly gay firefighter added meaningful representation, while Carver’s journey from brash newcomer to dependable team player grounded many recent plotlines. Jack Damon, introduced as Severide’s long-lost brother, was set up to be a bridge between Kelly and a new generation of Firehouse 51 heroes. Losing all three at once has reshaped the emotional makeup of the show.
A More Streamlined Core
The show will now lean heavily on its veteran cast: Taylor Kinney (Severide), Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), David Eigenberg (Herrmann), Christian Stolte (Mouch), and Joe Minoso (Cruz). Showrunner Andrea Newman hinted that Season 14 will focus on leadership shifts, internal audits, and Firehouse 51’s struggle to modernize without losing its soul.
