Wallace Boden is no longer the chief of Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire, and while his replacement is exciting on the surface, the new character might stir up some trouble in the series. The NBC procedural drama TV show, created by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, introduced Eamonn Walker’s Chief Boden during the pilot episode in October 2012, and the actor has been a series regular and significant figure in the One Chicago universe ever since. However, Walker’s Boden left Chicago Fire ahead of season 13, leaving his chief spot vacant and needing a replacement.
A couple of months following the season 12 finale, NBC announced that Dermot Mulroney would join the Chicago Fire season 13 cast as Dom Pascal, the new chief of Firehouse 51. Some speculated that Boden’s replacement would be in-house, especially after he seemingly chose Christopher Herrmann to follow in his footsteps during season 12’s last episode. David Eigenberg’s Herrmann has also been in Chicago Fire since season 1, so, it would make sense if he became the new chief. Alas, that won’t be the case, and a new character will fill Boden’s role at Firehouse 51 in season 13.
Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal Has A Different Leadership Style Than Boden
Pascal Previously Worked In Miami
While NBC hasn’t released an official character description for Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal, some sources (via Deadline) have leaked information surrounding Boden’s replacement in Chicago Fire season 13. Pascal is reportedly from Chicago, where he started his firefighting career. However, prior to joining Firehouse 51, Pascal worked as a fire chief in Miami for the past 10 years. Aside from being estranged from his wife, Mulroney’s character’s leadership style is also described as very different from Boden’s.
It’s unclear how Pascal’s methods will differ from Boden’s. Both have extensive experience working as a fire chief, but Pascal’s time in Miami might have molded his leadership style quite differently from how Boden’s style developed in Chicago. Nevertheless, Pascal is apparently a “cheerful” individual who works well under pressure, which might sound like traits that would be helpful for other firefighters, but that might not be the case in Chicago Fire season 13.
Firehouse 51 May Have A Hard Time Adapting To Pascal In Chicago Fire Season 13
The Firefighters Are Used To Boden’s Leadership
Boden might have worked well under pressure, but he was the furthest thing from “cheerful” as he always took his job very seriously. As a result, Dermot Mulroney’s new Chicago Fire role might clash with Stella Kidd, Kelly Severide, Christopher Herrmann, and the other firefighters who are used to Boden’s rule. Since they aren’t used to Pascal’s leadership style, the new chief may rub some of them the wrong way. Hopefully, the characters will adapt sooner rather than later in Chicago Fire season 13, but there will undoubtedly be tension between Pascal and his new squad.
