Eamonn Walker’s iconic portrayal of Chief Wallace Boden has been a guiding force on Chicago Fire since the series first aired in 2012. Over the years, Boden has overseen the brave firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51, becoming a pivotal character in the show. However, with the premiere of Chicago Fire Season 13, significant changes are on the horizon, promising to shake things up for the beloved crew. Showrunner Andrea Newman has teased that the upcoming season will be “haunted” for many of the main characters, bringing deep emotional challenges and personal reckonings.
A New Chief at Firehouse 51
One of the biggest shifts in Season 13 is the introduction of a new chief at Firehouse 51, Dom Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney. While Pascal will take over leadership, Boden’s presence will still loom large over the firehouse. According to Newman, Boden has been an instrumental figure in shaping the careers and lives of the firefighters and paramedics under his command. She explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that Boden “raised” many of the show’s characters, and while there may be surprises in how they react to the new leadership, his legacy remains deeply ingrained in the firehouse.
Newman emphasized, “When a new chief starts, everybody’s going to have a different reaction. And some of the reactions are surprising. Boden’s presence is still so much a part of the show, and it always will be, because he was so formative in the way that he put this group together and the way he raised this family up.”
A “Haunted” Season for Many Characters
Season 13 will take a darker emotional turn, with the showrunner hinting that it will feel like a “haunted” season for several characters. This theme will affect many, but it will be particularly significant for Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide. Last season, Severide discovered that Michael Bradway’s Jack Damon is his younger half-brother, adding emotional complexity to his story. Severide has long worked to distance himself from the shadow of his father, Benny, but the arrival of his half-brother forces him to confront his past once again.
Newman revealed that Season 13 will explore Severide’s internal struggles, saying, “It’s kind of like people’s past ghosts coming back. That’s very true for Severide, where he’s worked really hard to put his father in the rearview mirror and become his own firefighter. So to suddenly have Benny’s son, his half-brother, appear in his life, it makes him have to re-explore all of that stuff.”
Other Characters Haunted by Their Past
Severide isn’t the only one grappling with personal ghosts in Season 13. Violet Mikami, played by Hanako Greensmith, will be haunted by the tragic loss of her romantic interest, Evan Hawkins (Jimmy Nicholas). Their relationship came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end, and Violet’s grief continues to affect her as the new season begins.
Similarly, Sam Carver, portrayed by Jake Lockett, will also face his own internal struggles. Newman teased that both Violet and Carver will have a lot to deal with as they bring their emotional baggage into the new season. She explained, “Violet’s haunted by Hawkins and what happened with Hawkins and that relationship. And Carver is haunted just as a soul. So we are mining a bunch of that at the beginning of the season. There’s a lot between the two of them and a lot about the fact that they both bring their own ghosts to the table.”
Who’s Returning for Season 13?
Fans of Chicago Fire can expect to see many familiar faces in the highly anticipated 13th season. Taylor Kinney returns as Kelly Severide, alongside Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann, Christian Stolte as Randall “Mouch” McHolland, Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz, Daniel Kyri as Darren Ritter, and Jake Lockett as Sam Carver. Lockett, who initially joined the cast in a recurring role during seasons 11 and 12, has been promoted to a series regular for Season 13.
Additionally, Jocelyn Hudon, who replaced Kara Killmer’s Sylvie Brett last season, will be a full-time cast member moving forward, adding to the evolving dynamics of Firehouse 51.
Conclusion
Season 13 of Chicago Fire promises to bring emotional depth and new challenges for its beloved characters. With the arrival of a new chief and the haunting of past experiences, the season will explore unresolved issues that have long simmered beneath the surface. Fans can expect a compelling mix of personal and professional drama as Firehouse 51 faces one of its most emotionally charged seasons yet.
