In the unpredictable world of Chicago Fire, not every exit gets the blaze of glory it deserves. Sometimes, a beloved character leaves in a dramatic, multi-episode arc; other times, their departure is reduced to a single passing line in the next premiere. And for fans of Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter, that’s the big worry heading into Season 14.
Ritter’s exit wasn’t set up at all in Season 13. While Sam Carver’s departure (Jake Lockett) was carefully seeded — with the firefighter putting in for a transfer to Dallas after too many emotional triggers in Chicago — Ritter’s story was left wide open. No signs of discontent, no goodbye scenes, just business as usual. Then, fans were hit with the news that Kyri wouldn’t be returning as a series regular.
Still a Chance for Closure
There is, however, a flicker of hope. Speaking to TVLine, showrunner Andrea Newman revealed that the writers are still figuring out how to handle Ritter’s departure. The decision to cut the character, she explained, came late in the process, leaving little time to craft a send-off before filming wrapped.
“We’re still working on all of that… There’s lots of possibilities there,” Newman teased. “We’re going to play with all this and see what we get and how much time we get with Daniel [Kyri], who we love, and the character, who we love.”
The implication? If schedules line up, Ritter could still return for one or two Season 14 episodes — giving him a proper farewell rather than an off-screen disappearing act.
Why It Matters
Ritter has been more than just a background presence since joining Firehouse 51. Over the past few seasons, he’s grown into a confident, compassionate firefighter, earning a spot in fans’ hearts and in the tight-knit family of the show. A sudden, unexplained exit would feel like a missed opportunity — especially when Chicago Fire has a history of honoring its departing characters with memorable goodbyes.
Just look at recent years: Matt Casey’s emotional farewell in Season 10, Gabby Dawson’s surprise returns, Wallace Boden’s triumphant comeback, and Alberto Rosende’s Season 12 send-off for Blake Gallo. These exits resonated because they respected both the characters and the fans who’ve invested in them.
What Could a Farewell Look Like?
If Kyri is available, the possibilities are wide open. A two-part arc could see Ritter face a personal or professional turning point, prompting his decision to leave Chicago. Alternatively, his departure could tie into the broader Season 14 shakeup teased by Newman — with CFD budget cuts and department reshuffling forcing even beloved firefighters to make hard choices.
Of course, fans also know the other possibility all too well: the dreaded one-liner exit. In that scenario, Ritter’s absence might be casually explained by another character, robbing viewers of the chance to see him walk away on his own terms.
A Final Hope for Fans
While Kyri’s future with Chicago Fire remains uncertain, the door is not closed. If the show can coordinate schedules — and if Kyri is game — Season 14 could give Ritter the closure he deserves. For now, fans can only cross their fingers that the writers light that final blaze for him to walk through, instead of letting him fade out in the shadows.
Because in a series built on heroism and camaraderie, every hero deserves one last ride on the truck.
