The One Chicago franchise, NBC’s interconnected lineup of shows, has become a powerhouse, featuring dedicated dramas like Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Fire, which first aired in 2012. While each show explores the lives of essential city workers, Chicago Fire remains a fan favorite, capturing audiences with the lives of its firefighters and paramedics.
Daniel Kyri joined Chicago Fire in Season 7 as firefighter Darren Ritter, a role that soon resonated deeply with fans. By Season 9, Ritter was a core character, and in Season 8, a pivotal moment occurred when Ritter came out as gay. The moment was quiet but significant for both the show and its LGBTQ+ audience, marking a rare instance of queer representation in a blue-collar, first-responder setting.
Bringing Authenticity to the Screen: Kyri’s Approach to Ritter
Daniel Kyri, who identifies as queer, wasn’t new to exploring queer narratives on screen. Prior to Chicago Fire, he co-created The T, a web series depicting the friendship between a transgender woman and a queer Black man. This work primed Kyri to advocate for authenticity in his role as Ritter, especially when he learned about the show’s plans for his character.
In an interview with NBC News, Kyri expressed his desire to make Ritter’s coming-out moment feel both genuine and respectful, especially since Ritter is one of the few queer Black characters in the One Chicago universe. “For this Black, male character to come out as gay in this blue-collar, first-responder world, I wanted to do it justice,” he said.
When Ritter’s lieutenant casually asked if he had a girlfriend, Ritter’s response—that he has a boyfriend—unfolded as a “non-event.” This subtle approach, Kyri noted, reflects the importance of normalizing queer narratives in mainstream media. By not dramatizing Ritter’s orientation, Chicago Fire allowed the character to be his authentic self without sensationalizing his identity.
Representation That Matters: Kyri on Diverse Narratives
Kyri emphasized the importance of visibility for marginalized characters, saying, “Moving narratives—of the queer person, the Black person, the Asian person, the femme character—from the sidelines and making them central to the story is so very important.” By doing so, he believes media offers viewers “a possibility for themselves, a possibility for how they might move through the world.”
For Kyri, Ritter’s story isn’t just about his own experiences but about helping audiences feel seen and validated. His portrayal of Ritter exemplifies how subtle storytelling can resonate powerfully, shifting public perceptions about who can be a hero and affirming that queer individuals are integral to every profession and community.
