Firehouse 51 Faces Big Changes
Season 14 of Chicago Fire is just around the corner, and fans are already bracing for major shakeups in the lineup. The NBC hit has always rotated characters in and out, but this year’s departures sting more than usual. While Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) will return for a short arc to give his character closure, Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver won’t be back at all—leaving fans frustrated after a promising Season 13 finale.
Ritter Gets a Proper Goodbye
After weeks of speculation, it’s confirmed that Ritter will appear in Season 14. Kyri’s return is bittersweet, since it was announced ahead of the Season 13 finale that he would be leaving the show due to budget cuts. Fans were disappointed that Ritter barely appeared in his supposed last episode, sparking outrage over the lack of closure for a character who’s been part of Firehouse 51 for seven years.
Fortunately, the writers are correcting that mistake. Ritter will stick around for at least a few episodes at the start of Season 14—likely until Episode 4 or 5—before his exit becomes official. The exact reason for his departure is still under wraps, but speculation ranges from a possible CFD layoff to a tragic sendoff.
Either way, Ritter’s farewell promises to be meaningful, something fans feel he deserves after his years of loyalty to the show.
Carver’s Story Ends Abruptly
While Ritter’s return softens the blow, Carver’s absence cuts deep. Despite fan hopes, Jake Lockett will not reprise his role in Season 14. That means the Season 13 finale—where Carver kissed Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) and confessed his love—was his final moment on the show.
The twist feels especially jarring because the finale seemed to set up a bright future for Carver. He had finally found stability with the Firehouse 51 family and was building a long-awaited romance with Violet. Instead, behind-the-scenes budget cuts forced his storyline to end with an off-screen move to Denver.
Hanako Greensmith confirmed Carver’s departure indirectly, hinting that Violet will be exploring new relationships in Season 14 while also reflecting warmly on her time working with Lockett.
Why Fans Are Upset
The way Carver’s story wrapped up has left many fans frustrated. His departure doesn’t align with the emotional beats of Season 13’s finale, where he seemed ready to stay in Chicago for Violet and the firehouse family he loved. Without closure, Carver’s exit feels abrupt and unfinished, especially compared to Ritter’s upcoming sendoff.
What to Expect in Season 14
Chicago Fire returns on Wednesday, October 1 at 9/8c on NBC, with a time jump picking up after the events of the Season 13 finale. Ritter’s farewell arc will unfold early in the season, while the absence of Carver will already be felt in the premiere.
For Firehouse 51, it’s the end of one chapter and the beginning of another—but for fans, saying goodbye to Ritter and Carver may be the hardest part of all.
