You’re picking up on the very real anxieties and confirmed changes coming to Firehouse 51! The “Chicago Fire” boss (showrunner Andrea Newman) has indeed issued warnings that “goodbyes are coming” and “everything’s going to get shaken up” in Season 14. This isn’t just dramatic flair; it’s a direct acknowledgment of significant cast departures and behind-the-scenes decisions.
Here’s what we know about the looming changes and goodbyes in Season 14 of Chicago Fire:
Confirmed Departures Due to Budget Cuts
The biggest reason for the upcoming goodbyes and the “shaking up” of the show stems from budget cuts performed by NBC and Wolf Entertainment.
Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) is confirmed to be exiting as a series regular. Ritter has been a beloved character since Season 7, becoming a series regular in Season 9. Fans will definitely feel his absence.
Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) is also confirmed to be exiting as a series regular. Carver joined in Season 11 and was promoted to a main cast member in Season 13, quickly becoming a significant presence, especially with his developing relationship with Violet. His departure, particularly after a season that saw him dealing with sobriety and professing his love for Violet, is especially heartbreaking for fans.
Both actors have publicly addressed their departures, with their statements often suggesting it wasn’t their decision but rather a result of network cost-saving measures.
Why the Boss’s Warning is Significant:
Andrea Newman’s comments about “goodbyes” and “everything getting shaken up” go beyond just Ritter and Carver:
1. More Potential Exits: The budget cuts are widely across the One Chicago franchise. While major leads like Taylor Kinney (Severide) and Miranda Rae Mayo (Kidd) have signed new deals, Newman’s warning implies that no one is entirely safe. She has stated, “There’s nobody safe in this shakeup.” This creates an air of uncertainty for other long-standing characters as their contracts may also be up for negotiation.
2. Forced Absences: Even for returning cast members, there’s a new “cost-cutting measure” that will see actors absent from a couple of episodes throughout the respective seasons. This means fans might see beloved characters “out of town for another arson investigation or a leadership program,” leading to noticeable gaps in the firehouse’s dynamic.
3. Impact on Firehouse 51’s Structure: Losing at least two firefighters (Ritter and Carver) due to budget cuts means Firehouse 51 will be noticeably understaffed. This will force new dynamics and potential shifts in how the team operates, as the show is unlikely to immediately hire two new actors to fill those exact roles.
4. Narrative Implications: The writers will need to address how Ritter and Carver are written out, especially since the Season 13 finale didn’t provide clear exits for either character. While Carver seemed to be contemplating a move to Denver for sobriety, he also declared his love for Violet. Ritter’s potential exit was not addressed at all in the finale. Newman has expressed hope that both actors might return for guest spots to provide proper closure, but the immediate impact will be their absence.
5. Organizational Chaos: Newman has also teased “a lot of craziness going on in the CFD from the top, where people are being cut and moved, and everything’s going to get shaken up next season.” This suggests broader structural changes within the Chicago Fire Department that will directly impact Firehouse 51, beyond just individual cast departures.
In essence, the showrunner’s warning is a preparation for viewers that Season 14 will look and feel different. It’s a new era for Firehouse 51, shaped by financial realities and the difficult decisions that come with them, promising both new challenges and emotional farewells.
