EW catches up with David Eigenberg, Taylor Kinney, and more of your favorite firefighting stars.
When Chicago Fire premiered in 2012, no one could have predicted it would ignite an entire TV universe. What began as a high-stakes drama about firefighters and paramedics at Firehouse 51 has since grown into a cornerstone of NBC’s lineup, spawning Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and even the short-lived Chicago Justice.
Created by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, with Law & Order mastermind Dick Wolf attached, the series has burned bright for over a decade. With more than 200 episodes (and counting), ChiHards have watched as Matt Casey, Kelly Severide, Stella Kidd, and their colleagues navigated heart-stopping rescues, devastating losses, and passionate romances—all while making Firehouse 51 feel like family.
Now, more than ten years later, we’re taking a look back at the cast’s remarkable journeys—where they started, what they’ve accomplished, and where life has taken them since stepping into the flames.
Jesse Spencer (Captain Matt Casey)
Before Casey became Firehouse 51’s moral compass, Jesse Spencer had already made waves in his native Australia on Neighbours and captured U.S. audiences as Dr. Robert Chase on House. Joining Chicago Fire gave him a chance to swap medical jargon for heavy gear, something he once said was “the opposite direction” he craved.
Spencer left the show in its 200th episode in 2021, but has returned for guest appearances. Offscreen, he married neuroscientist Dr. Kali Woodruff Carr in 2020.
Taylor Kinney (Lieutenant Kelly Severide)
Charismatic, hotheaded, and endlessly loyal, Severide has been a fan favorite since day one. Taylor Kinney’s pre-Fire résumé included roles on The Vampire Diaries, Trauma, and even Lady Gaga’s “You and I” music video (the two were engaged before splitting in 2016).
Since donning the CFD gear, Kinney has worked in films like Zero Dark Thirty and The Other Woman, while balancing his One Chicago commitments. He briefly stepped away in Season 11 for personal reasons but returned for Season 12. Today, he shares his life with model Ashley Cruger.
Monica Raymund (Gabriela Dawson)
The Juilliard-trained actress gave Chicago Fire one of its most passionate characters in Gabby Dawson. After leaving the show in 2017, Monica Raymund went on to lead the Starz crime drama Hightown and directed episodes of FBI and The Sinner.
Raymund, who has spoken openly about being bisexual, has become a strong advocate for representation both on and off screen.
David Eigenberg (Christopher Herrmann)
A working actor since the late ’80s, David Eigenberg was already beloved as Steve Brady on Sex and the City before stepping into Herrmann’s boots. His steady presence has made him Firehouse 51’s wise (and often hilarious) father figure.
Outside Chicago Fire, Eigenberg reprised Steve on Max’s And Just Like That while continuing to raise awareness about his real-life hearing loss. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Chrysti, and their two children.
Eamonn Walker (Chief Wallace Boden)
As Firehouse 51’s fearless leader, Eamonn Walker has brought gravitas to every scene. Before Chicago Fire, the British actor had already built an acclaimed career on stage (Othello at the Globe Theatre) and on screen (Oz, Unbreakable, Cadillac Records).
Walker’s Boden became the heart of the series for over a decade, and his departure at the end of Season 12 marked the end of an era.
Yuri Sardarov (Brian “Otis” Zvonecek)
Otis’ humor and heart made him unforgettable, and Yuri Sardarov’s tragic exit in Season 8 still haunts fans. Before Fire, he had appeared in The Ides of March and Argo.
Since leaving, he’s popped up on The Rookie and FBI: International, continuing to build a versatile career.
Christian Stolte (Randall “Mouch” McHolland)
From Prison Break to Public Enemies, Christian Stolte was no stranger to gritty roles before embodying the union-loving Mouch. His real-life daughters have even appeared on the show—one as his on-screen child, another as the first person rescued in the pilot.
Stolte remains a steady fan favorite, and one of the show’s longest-serving cast members.
Joe Minoso (Joe Cruz)
Joe Cruz has always been Firehouse 51’s loyal heart, and actor Joe Minoso has relished every second. A veteran of Chicago’s stage scene, he joined Fire in 2012 and has since worked across the One Chicago franchise.
Offscreen, he married Chicago Fire make-up artist Caitlin Murphy Miles in 2016.
Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett)
Introduced in Season 3, Kara Killmer brought warmth and heart to Sylvie Brett. Outside Fire, she starred in the historical action film Beyond the Mask and thrillers like Sleeper.
After nearly a decade, Killmer bid farewell in Season 12, with her character’s happily-ever-after tied to Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey.
Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd)
Since joining in Season 4, Miranda Rae Mayo has made Stella Kidd an empowering, fan-favorite character. Mayo, who previously appeared on Pretty Little Liars and Blood & Oil, has also dedicated herself to philanthropy, serving on the board of the Holistic Life Foundation.
Her on-screen relationship with Severide remains one of the show’s central storylines.
Alberto Rosende (Blake Gallo)
A fresh face in Season 8, Alberto Rosende quickly became a fan favorite as Blake Gallo. Prior to Fire, he starred in Shadowhunters. After four seasons, Rosende departed in Season 12, describing his time on the show as “life-changing.”
He’s engaged to former costar Tessa Mossey.
Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter)
Chicago native Daniel Kyri has brought depth and authenticity to Ritter since Season 7. A stage-trained actor and writer, Kyri has become an outspoken advocate for queer representation in Hollywood.
In his own words: “To just fully go there [on set] and be the representation that I needed when I was growing up is something that has made me blossom.”
🔥 The Legacy Burns On
From Jesse Spencer’s steady leadership to Taylor Kinney’s charismatic firebrand, the cast of Chicago Fire has grown alongside their characters in ways that continue to captivate fans. A decade later, they’re no longer just TV firefighters—they’re television icons.
And as the flames keep burning at Firehouse 51, one thing is clear: Chicago Fire is still far from extinguished.
