The revolving door at Firehouse 51 has just taken its most dramatic turn yet as NBC confirms a massive leadership bombshell that has left the “Chi-Hard” community in a state of shock. Dermot Mulroney, who successfully stepped into the giant shoes of Wallace Boden as Chief Dom Pascal, is officially set to take an extended leave of absence from Chicago Fire starting in early March 2026. This “Hiatus Bombshell” isn’t just a scheduling conflict; it is a meticulously planned storyline that will see Pascal depart the screen following Episode 14 of the current season. While Mulroney is confirmed to appear in the highly anticipated March 4th Mega Crossover (Episode 13), his character will navigate a “Power Struggle” with City Hall that ultimately forces him into a temporary exile, leaving a vacuum of authority that will be filled by a formidable and mysterious newcomer.
Enter Rob Morgan, best known for his gritty roles in the Marvel Netflix universe and Stranger Things, who has been cast as Battalion Chief Hopkins. Described as a leader with a “long, haunted past” overseeing multiple Chicago firehouses, Hopkins is not coming to 51 to make friends. He is set to make his debut in Episode 16 and will remain the primary antagonist within the firehouse walls for four episodes, including the Season 14 finale. Unlike Pascal, who eventually earned the trust of the team, Hopkins is reportedly “quick to assert authority” and is expected to clash immediately with veterans like Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd. This casting move suggests that the CFD brass—and specifically the Mayor’s office—are sending in a “fixer” to regain control of a house that has become increasingly defiant against city-wide budget cuts and decommissioning orders.
The “Bí Mật” (Secret) behind Pascal’s departure appears to be rooted in his deteriorating relationship with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Annette Davis. Recent episodes have seen Pascal caught in a web of conflicting reports regarding the decommissioning of 51’s engine, a move that led to Mouch’s forced transfer. Insiders suggest that Pascal’s relentless defense of his team has made him an “enemy of the state,” and his hiatus may be a forced suspension or a tactical retreat into a public office run to make a broader impact on the department. While Deadline reports that Mulroney “may return” for the final moments of the season, his status for a potential Season 15 remains unconfirmed, especially as the show’s writers haven’t finalized the finale scripts amidst ongoing network renewal negotiations.
For fans, this transition represents a “Double-Edged Sword.” While the arrival of an actor with Rob Morgan’s gravitas promises some of the most intense “power struggle” drama in years, the temporary loss of Mulroney feels like another blow to a firehouse that has already endured too much change. The 2026 spring season is now officially a battle for the soul of 51, with the team forced to survive under the thumb of a “haunted” Chief while their true leader fights a political war behind the scenes. As we head into the February hiatus, one thing is certain: the Firehouse 51 we see in the Season 14 finale will look and feel drastically different than the one we know today.