The heat is on at Firehouse 51, and it’s not just from the blazes they fight. The beloved NBC procedural drama, Chicago Fire, is facing an unprecedented wave of departures ahead of its upcoming 14th season, sparking significant anxiety and outrage among its dedicated fanbase. The latest news confirms that a third key actor, Michael Bradway, who plays firefighter Jack Damon, will not be returning as a series regular. This announcement follows closely on the heels of the earlier confirmed exits of fan-favorite series regulars Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver).
This trifecta of departures has reignited a long-simmering complaint within the One Chicago fandom: the feeling of “too much turnover”. For a show that has built its massive success on the foundation of a tightly-knit, family-like ensemble, the consecutive loss of three prominent figures—two of whom were involved in major ongoing storylines—poses a significant challenge for the longevity and emotional investment of the series.
The Triple Exit: Ritter, Carver, and Damon Say Goodbye
The sheer volume of exits in such a short period is what has truly stunned viewers. It’s a roster shake-up that feels more like a finale cliffhanger than a routine seasonal transition.
Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri)
Daniel Kyri has been a fixture at Firehouse 51 as the earnest and brave firefighter Darren Ritter since Season 7, having been promoted to a series regular in Season 8. His character departure was first revealed ahead of the Season 13 finale, reportedly as part of a move by the network to trim the show’s budget. Kyri’s commitment to the character and his long tenure means his absence will be immediately and deeply felt. The showrunners have planned for a proper, on-screen send-off for Ritter early in Season 14, an effort to offer some emotional closure to his arc. However, even this farewell is bittersweet, given his integral role on the Truck 81 and his deep bond with his colleagues.
Sam Carver (Jake Lockett)
Perhaps the most frustrating departure for fans is that of Jake Lockett’s character, Sam Carver. Introduced in Season 11, Carver quickly became a central figure, largely due to a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic with paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith). The Season 13 finale set the stage for a major romantic payoff between the two, only for the news to break that Lockett would not be returning. Like Kyri, his exit is tied to the budget cuts. The sudden and seemingly arbitrary nature of Carver’s decision to pursue a transfer to the Denver Fire Department—immediately after professing his feelings for Violet—has been called out by fans as confusing, rushed, and a major letdown for a storyline they had invested years in watching develop.
Jack Damon (Michael Bradway)
The latest cut is Michael Bradway’s character, Jack Damon, who was revealed to be the half-brother of Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) during his time at Firehouse 51. Bradway recurred on the show for two seasons, with his character’s introduction promising a significant, long-term familial storyline for Severide. Damon’s departure is reportedly due to the actor landing a starring role in the Prime Video adaptation of a popular novel, a scheduling conflict that made his return impossible as a series regular.
The loss of Damon, coming right after Ritter and Carver, eliminates potential new plot directions and severs a newly-formed family tie, compounding the sense that the show is sacrificing storytelling continuity for external reasons. While producers have indicated the door is open for a return, the immediate impact is the erosion of trust in the show’s ability to commit to its characters’ futures.
The Core Complaint: When Turnover Hurts the Firehouse Family
The concept of a rotating cast is not new to television, especially in long-running procedurals like those in the Dick Wolf-produced One Chicago franchise. Police departments and firehouses see natural movement, but for Chicago Fire, the issue lies in the frequency and the context of the departures.
The show’s longevity is built on the premise of Firehouse 51 as a second family. Viewers tune in week after week not just for the rescues, but for the relationships: the banter on the couch, the personal drama, and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. Each character that leaves, particularly those who have been around for multiple seasons, feels like a death in the family.
Fans are left asking: What’s the point of investing in new characters if they are simply placeholders?
The reported reason for the exits of Ritter and Carver—budgetary constraints—is a particularly painful pill for fans to swallow. It suggests that the actors’ contracts were deemed too expensive, leading to the abrupt termination of beloved characters’ storylines. This cold, business-oriented decision-making directly contradicts the warm, emotionally-driven narrative of a firehouse family.
Furthermore, the character exodus disrupts key relationships. Violet Mikami has now lost two significant people in her life (Carver, following the earlier exit of Gallo), leaving her storyline in a state of romantic and professional flux. Severide’s connection to his newfound half-brother is cut short before it could meaningfully develop. These narrative gaps force the writers to scramble, often leading to hastily conceived new characters—like the recently announced new recruit—who may struggle to earn the audience’s emotional investment after so many recent betrayals.
The Road Ahead for Season 14
With Ritter, Carver, and Damon gone, Chicago Fire enters Season 14 significantly lighter on the staff roster and the emotional weight of its ensemble. Showrunners now face the difficult task of rebuilding the emotional infrastructure of Firehouse 51 while juggling high-stakes rescue scenarios.
The Challenges:
- Filling the Ranks: New characters, like the incoming firefighter Sal Vasquez, must quickly connect with the core cast and the audience to prevent a sense of emptiness.
- Budgeting vs. Storytelling: The network needs to balance cost-saving measures with the need for high-quality, compelling narratives. Cutting beloved characters for budget reasons risks alienating the very audience that keeps the show profitable.
- Restoring Stability: The remaining core cast members—including Kelly Severide, Stella Kidd, Christopher Herrmann, and the veterans—will have to carry the emotional load of the show. Their established chemistry will be crucial in stabilizing the firehouse family dynamic and integrating new recruits.
For the show to maintain its decade-long popularity, it must address the fan outcry about turnover. Viewers want assurance that the characters they invest in will be treated with respect, and that their stories will reach satisfying, earned conclusions—not abrupt, budget-induced transfers.
The 14th season of Chicago Fire will be a test of resilience, both for the fictional Firehouse 51 crew and the creative team behind the show. They must prove that, despite the significant loss of personnel, the heart of the firehouse family still beats strong enough to keep the audience coming back for more.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Firehouse 51
Chicago Fire thrives on its authentic portrayal of the dangers and camaraderie within the Chicago Fire Department. However, the unexpected and substantial cast changes ahead of Season 14—losing Daniel Kyri, Jake Lockett, and now Michael Bradway—has created a sense of instability that risks breaking the illusion of that family.
The fan complaints about “too much turnover” are not just noise; they are a genuine plea for narrative stability and respect for their emotional investment. As the show prepares to air, all eyes will be on Firehouse 51 to see if the remaining crew can weather this storm of departures and if the new recruits can quickly earn their place on a team that suddenly feels much more fragile. The long-term success of the One Chicago flagship may depend on it.
