Chicago Fire fans were thrilled to see Jesse Spencer reprise his role as Matt Casey in Season 11, Episode 18. Having stepped away from Firehouse 51 over a year ago, Spencer’s return brought a wave of nostalgia for the loyal fanbase. Although his character is only back temporarily, Spencer’s recent comments suggest that Casey’s return might not be the last.
In a conversation with NBC Insider, Spencer shared his openness to revisiting the character down the road. “The idea when I left the show was that if it was appropriate and it would work with the storyline they wanted to do, I would be open — and they would be open — to bringing Casey back,” he explained. Season 11’s storyline even hints at the possibility of Casey returning to Chicago full-time, potentially rekindling his relationship with Sylvie Brett. “The storyline does allude to Casey sort of eyeing whether he could actually move back to 51,” Spencer added. “Can he potentially, in the future, rekindle his relationship with Brett and start that fire again? We’re gonna have to see.”
Although there are no concrete plans, fans of the show can take comfort in the fact that the door remains open for Spencer’s return, whether as a recurring guest or possibly even a full-time cast member.
Why Jesse Spencer Left Chicago Fire and His Continuing Ties to the Show
Jesse Spencer initially exited Chicago Fire in Season 10 to focus on other personal and professional priorities after nearly two decades of regular TV work. “This was a difficult decision because I have loved the show from the start,” he explained to People, “but there are other things that I would like to do in the future, and there’s some family that I need to take care of, and 18 years is a long time.”
Even after his departure, Spencer has maintained close ties to the series. His first appearance after leaving came at the end of Season 10, when Casey returned to serve as best man for Severide (Taylor Kinney) at his wedding to Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). This visit marked a turning point in Casey’s relationship with Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), who chose to end their long-distance romance. And now, in Season 11, Casey’s appearance has sparked new hope for fans that he may make a more permanent comeback.
With unresolved storylines and Casey’s strong connections to Brett and Firehouse 51, Chicago Fire seems ready to keep fans on the edge of their seats, speculating about what’s next for one of the show’s original heroes. Spencer’s willingness to consider a return, even without firm plans, leaves room for the character to reappear in a meaningful way — and maybe even reclaim his place at Firehouse 51.
