‘It Was Time’: Chicago Fire Star Breaks Silence on Emotional Exit After 7 Years

Daniel Kyri‘s journey on Chicago Fire was atypical. Hired initially to appear for a few episodes, the actor went on to appear in the show for seven seasons. However, Chicago Fire Season 14 is his final season, and he will appear in a handful of scenes to say goodbye to his character. Kyri revealed in a post on his Instagram account that he had filmed his final scene of the show. In a lengthy emotional caption, he recalled his journey on the hit drama series and everything that playing Darren Ritter has meant to him.

“Okay,” he began his message. “Yesterday, I filmed my last scenes as Ritter & I’m still so amazed that my first-ever TV gig—a role that was originally meant for just three episodes—turned into seven incredible years (SEVEN?!?!! Whatttt???!) and spanned eight seasons of this iconic show! While I know I may never find another cast and crew as amazing as this one, I intend to carry what I’ve learned from you to every set in the future,” Kyri wrote, revealing that he was officially done on the show where he had returned a few days ago for his character’s final goodbye.

The rest of this message, whose entirety you can find on the attached Instagram post, appreciates everyone who made his journey on the show what it was. Kyri also appreciated the character, who is one of the few gay characters in the franchise and network dramas. “Chicago Fire changed my life. Bringing Darren Ritter to the screen has transformed & healed me in equal measure. He is a man who embodies empathy, humility, compassion, and unwavering bravery to save lives. His heroism is further fortified by the way he navigates the world—a gay Black firefighter who is proud, fierce, loyal, & whole—a possibility I never got to see onscreen in my childhood but desperately craved…,” the actor wrote. He added:

“I am so humbled & proud to have portrayed you. I’m thrilled that my inner child would have looked at you each week in awe of everything you represent. You made history. Thank you so much, Darren Ritter. And goodbye.”

More Departures Could Be On the Horizon in ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 13

Kyri’s exit is one of the two that were expected in the season, with Jake Lockett also set to leave in the upcoming season. However, showrunner Andrea Newman teased that more departures could be on the horizon. “We’re going to have a lot of turnover and a lot of craziness going on in the CFD from the top, where people are being cut and moved, and everything’s going to get shaken up next season,” she said in an interview after the Season 13 finale. “You never know [who might get fired]. There will be hellos, and there will be goodbyes. I’ll say that. That’s for sure,” Newman added.

Catch Chicago Fire on NBC this fall when new episodes return on October 1. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.