The heroic first responders of “Chicago Fire” confront intense challenges, from battling blazing infernos to rescuing victims from collapsing buildings. The show’s narrative is filled with perilous situations, including scenes that involve injured individuals being lowered from heights or airlifted by helicopters. It’s a dramatic world that might seem overwhelmingly heavy.
Yet, for some cast members, the most intense scenes are also the most exhilarating. Taylor Kinney, who portrays Kelly Severide, highlights a particularly risky moment from Season 6, titled “Law of the Jungle.” In this episode, Severide and Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) leap into the Chicago River to escape an explosive situation on a rooftop. Kinney fondly recalls this moment, stating, “They both jump off [and] a big fireball explodes. It’s one of the best memories I’ve had in the last 10 years.” For him, the thrill of such stunts offers a break from the pressures of the job.
Eamonn Walker, another star of “Chicago Fire,” shares a different approach to handling the show’s heavier themes. He believes that laughter is a powerful tool for the cast in navigating the emotional weight of their roles. In an interview with NBC 10 Philadelphia, Walker revealed that during filming, the cast often engages in humor to lighten the atmosphere. “When we cut, we laugh a lot,” he stated, emphasizing that they “laugh more than most.”
This shared laughter becomes especially vital during scenes that require intense special effects makeup, which can be quite graphic. Walker described the long hours that makeup artists spend transforming actors into victims of various traumas, from broken bones to gruesome injuries. “When the makeup artist has been working for the last 14 hours … sticking bits of flesh on [the victim] and painting them,” Walker explained, it’s essential to find a way to cope with the emotional toll. “You’ve got a broken femur here or an eye socket that’s dropped down here, and you’re like, ‘oh I got to pretend that’s not upsetting my spirit.’”
Despite the serious nature of the show, the cast manages to maintain a light-hearted environment, demonstrating how humor can serve as a buffer against the more intense elements of their work. By finding joy in the midst of chaos, they not only strengthen their camaraderie but also ensure that the atmosphere on set remains enjoyable. Walker’s insights reflect a deeper understanding of how laughter can be a vital part of navigating the challenges of portraying first responders, allowing the cast to bond and recharge amidst the dramatic demands of “Chicago Fire.”
