Joe Miñoso, who plays fan-favorite Joe Cruz on NBC’s Chicago Fire, revealed that his character’s journey in the midseason return will leave lasting scars. After a tense showdown with Flaco’s cousin Junior, Cruz’s world is about to unravel in ways that will impact both his personal and professional life.
“Cruz will not come out unscathed,” Miñoso, 46, told Us Weekly in an exclusive interview on January 7. He explained that Cruz’s primary focus isn’t himself but his family. “He’s more concerned about his brother, and especially his wife and kids—something that didn’t exist when this problem first came up.”
A Sin From the Past Resurfaces
In Season 1 of Chicago Fire, Cruz made the life-altering decision to leave gang leader Flaco to die in a fire. This dark secret returned to haunt him in the Season 12 midseason finale, which aired in November 2024. Cruz discovered a bullet-shaped pendant urn containing cremated remains in his locker—a chilling message tied to Flaco’s cousin, Junior (Richard Cabral), who had just been released from prison.
The upcoming episodes will see Cruz confronting Junior directly. Junior demands Cruz’s involvement in “nefarious activities,” leaving Cruz with a harrowing choice: protect his brother Leon (Jeff Lima) and his family, or risk falling into Junior’s trap.
“The stakes are so much higher this time,” Miñoso teased. “Cruz is focused on finding a solution that keeps the problem away from his family.”
Viewers can expect to see Cruz fighting to shield his loved ones, but the consequences of his decisions will ripple through the firehouse and his relationships.
A Role Reversal Between Brothers
For the first time, Cruz will lean on his brother Leon, shifting the dynamic of their relationship. Miñoso explained: “There’s been so much of Cruz holding up and being the big shoulders in that relationship. I think we’re gonna see a bit of a role reversal.”
But it’s not just Leon who supports Cruz in this turbulent time. His firehouse family, particularly Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), also plays a key role.
“Something happens that makes it impossible for Severide not to notice what’s going on,” Miñoso revealed. “And since Severide is so intuitive, he’ll be sniffing around to figure it out.”
Strained Relationships and Rising Tensions
As Cruz grapples with his secret, Miñoso hinted that the pressure will affect his performance on the job and his relationships within Firehouse 51. Severide’s trust and confidence in Cruz—as shown by appointing him acting lieutenant in recent seasons—will make this secret even harder for Cruz to bear.
“He doesn’t want to ruin that level of responsibility,” Miñoso admitted. “It’s going to be a hard road to navigate for Cruz, especially with Severide and Chief Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) watching closely.”
The storyline also marks Cruz’s first personal interaction with Chief Pascal, but Miñoso noted that it won’t be a smooth introduction. “This is a really bad first impression. Hopefully, we can figure out a way to get to a better place with Pascal after the end of this whole storyline.”
A New Chapter for Chicago Fire
As Chicago Fire continues its twelfth season, Cruz’s fight to protect his family and maintain his integrity promises high-stakes drama. With help from his brother and his firehouse family, fans are left wondering: can Cruz extinguish the flames of his past before they consume him?
Catch Chicago Fire Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
