For over a decade, Chicago Fire has anchored NBC’s powerhouse One Chicago franchise, building a devoted following around the tight-knit “family” of Firehouse 51. But as the show heads into its fourteenth season, the fictional firehouse is facing a real-world problem: a crippling wave of cast departures that have left the fandom reeling.
The news that three significant cast members would not return as series regulars for Season 14—including two beloved characters whose exits were reportedly tied to cost-cutting measures—has ignited a firestorm of fan frustration online. The consensus is clear: viewers are “not liking the changes” and are demanding stability for the future of the series.
The Triple Exit: Who’s Leaving Firehouse 51?
The major shakeup ahead of and into Season 14 saw three actors depart their main cast roles, a significant blow following the prior departure of long-time original cast member Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) in Season 12.
1. The Cost-Cutting Casualties: Ritter & Carver
The departures of Daniel Kyri (Firefighter Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Firefighter Sam Carver) proved to be the most contentious for the fanbase. Both actors, who played vital roles on Truck 81 and Squad 3, respectively, were reportedly written out as part of an effort to trim the show’s budget.
- Darren Ritter: An earnest and beloved character who had been with the show since Season 7, rising from a shy candidate to a fully fledged firefighter. His departure, written as a move to New York to be with his boyfriend, felt like a forced ending to a long-running character arc, despite the actor returning briefly for a send-off.
- Sam Carver: A more recent addition in Season 11, Carver became integral as the new “bad boy” of the squad and, crucially, as the budding romantic partner for Paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith). His abrupt exit via a decision to transfer to Denver left his popular relationship with Violet completely unresolved, leading to fan outrage over the sudden collapse of a highly anticipated storyline.
2. The Schedule Conflict: Jack Damon
Adding to the instability, Michael Bradway, who played Jack Damon—the half-brother of Kelly Severide—will also not return as a series regular. While Damon’s character was relatively new, his exit follows the trend of high cast turnover, and it leaves a dangling thread in the Severide family dynamic. This departure was attributed to the actor taking a role on a different streaming series, highlighting the difficulty in maintaining a stable ensemble cast on long-running network dramas.
Why Fans Are Fuming: The Instability Trap 💔
The fan reaction to these exits has been visceral, centering on the feeling that the heart of the show is being sacrificed for financial or logistical expediency. The loudest complaints revolve around two main issues: abandoned storylines and a pervasive lack of investment in new characters.
Abandoned Storylines: The “Vi-Carver” Disconnect
The relationship between Violet Mikami and Sam Carver had been carefully developed over many seasons. Their eventual kiss and declaration of love at the end of Season 13 was a highly anticipated moment, signaling the start of a major romantic arc.
To then have Carver abruptly disappear in Season 14 due to a distant job opportunity—a move that nullified their entire connection—felt like a betrayal to viewers. Fans feel that the writers, pushed by the budget cuts, torpedoed a major plotline rather than finding a way to keep the character. This lack of resolution makes fans wary of investing in any future relationships or character bonds.
The Problem of Budgetary Exits 💸
The reported reason behind the departures of Ritter and Carver—budget cuts—is a major source of frustration. Fans argue that a successful, long-running franchise like One Chicago should not be sacrificing core members of the Firehouse 51 family to save money.
The perception is that network brass is prioritizing profit margins over narrative integrity and character development. As one fan on social media lamented, “If the show is really so expensive to make that it requires budget cuts they should just call it a day. That’s not fair to the fans.” The continuous shedding of fan-favorite characters, particularly those who have been around for several seasons, suggests an assumption that new faces can simply replace the old without consequence.
The Revolving Door Effect
The rapid succession of exits—especially when stacked against the earlier high-profile departures of Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer), Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund), and Leslie Shay (Lauren German)—has created a feeling of an unstable workplace.
Fans tune in for the “found family” dynamic, which is the cornerstone of the show’s longevity. When the family portrait is constantly being shuffled, that essential core bond weakens. Every new character arrival is now met with suspicion, as viewers assume the actor is only temporarily filling a void before another inevitable departure. This “revolving door” effect makes it increasingly difficult for the audience to develop emotional attachment, chipping away at the foundation of the long-running hit.
Looking Ahead: Can Firehouse 51 Recapture the Magic?
The challenge for Chicago Fire showrunners in Season 14 is immense. They must not only find replacements for the departed—like the introduction of the new, more abrasive firefighter Sal Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente)—but also work to restore the audience’s faith in the series’ stability and narrative commitment.
- Focus on the Core: The show must rely heavily on its established veterans: Severide (Taylor Kinney), Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), Herrmann (David Eigenberg), and Mouch (Christian Stolte). Their unwavering presence is the only thing keeping the “family” feeling alive.
- Invest in the Newcomers: If new characters like Vasquez are meant to last, the show needs to invest immediately in deep, meaningful arcs that prove they are not just temporary placeholders for the budget cuts.
- Learn from the Past: The most successful eras of Chicago Fire were marked by stable, long-term bonds. To win back the fuming fans, the series must abandon the frequent, budget-driven cast turnover and commit to nurturing its ensemble.
Ultimately, the firehouse is more than just a building; it is a symbol of professional and personal resilience. But if the cast continues to dwindle and key relationships are continually sacrificed, fans may finally decide that the flames of Firehouse 51 have burned out. The success of Season 14 will hinge on whether the writers can prove that the story—and the characters—are worth the viewer’s continued investment.
