The cast of Chicago Fire has built lasting relationships both on and off the screen. Since the show premiered in 2012, many of the actors have formed a second family, often sharing their close friendships through interviews and social media. From vacation trips together to supportive partnerships on set, the camaraderie at Firehouse 51 is evident. Here’s a look at some of the strongest bonds among the cast members of Chicago Fire.
Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo
Although their characters, Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd, share undeniable chemistry on screen, Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo are just close friends in real life. The two co-stars have never dated but have developed a deep mutual respect and rapport over the years.
In interviews, they frequently refer to each other as “Dear” or “Hun,” often breaking into laughter when they’re together. Miranda has praised Taylor’s work ethic, saying in a 2017 interview, “He’s a ridiculous human. I’m really grateful we’ve gotten to work together as much as we have.” She added that his supportive presence on set allows her to feel comfortable and focus on her work. Their playful dynamic and professional support shine through in both their scenes and interactions behind the scenes.
David Eigenberg and Eamonn Walker
As two of the longest-serving cast members, David Eigenberg and Eamonn Walker have worked together for 12 seasons, forming a close friendship along the way. David once shared a selfie with Eamonn on social media, captioning it, “That’s me and my best guy … Ever. Love this man.”
In a 2021 interview with TVMeg, the duo discussed how they challenge each other to bring their best performances. Eamonn revealed that they often push one another during scenes, saying, “We really want the scenes to work,” and described their commitment to excellence after so many years. Their bond, built on mutual respect and the love for their craft, continues to strengthen both on and off the set.
Joe Minoso and Yuriy Sardarov
Joe Minoso and Yuriy Sardarov formed a particularly close friendship during their time on Chicago Fire. Joe has described Yuriy as one of his “closest friends ever,” which made it especially hard for him to film the episodes where Yuriy’s character, Otis, was killed off in the season eight premiere.
Joe reflected on the emotional challenge of saying goodbye to Otis, as the storyline also marked a personal farewell to his friend. “It was really difficult,” Joe shared in a 2021 interview with Parade, recalling how they began their Chicago Fire journey together during their first training session. Yuriy’s absence on the show left a lasting impact on Joe, who said the experience was even more poignant because Yuriy had become such an important part of his life, even standing as a groomsman at Joe’s wedding.
Hanako Greensmith and Daniel Kyri
Hanako Greensmith and Daniel Kyri’s off-screen friendship is one of the most cherished among the cast. The two actors have become so close that they even went on vacation together to Greece in the summer of 2022. Hanako shared photos of the trip on social media, joking about how long it took her to develop the film, highlighting their fun and laid-back friendship.
Daniel and Hanako frequently feature in each other’s social media posts, often sharing inside jokes and celebrating important milestones together. For Daniel’s birthday in October 2023, Hanako posted a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram story, calling him an “icon” and expressing how lucky she feels to have him in her life.
Conclusion
The real-life friendships behind the scenes of Chicago Fire contribute to the strong bond and chemistry that fans see on screen. Whether it’s pushing each other to deliver their best performances or spending time together outside of work, the cast has truly become a family over the years, making Firehouse 51 not only a fictional team but a real-life source of love and support.
