Chicago Fire has been the emotional cornerstone of Dick Wolf’s expansive One Chicago franchise for over a decade. The show thrives on a delicate balance between high-octane rescue sequences and the deep, familial bonds within the legendary Firehouse 51. However, as the series charges toward Season 14, the firehouse is facing a critical loss that has nothing to do with a five-alarm blaze and everything to do with the harsh economics of modern television.
Reports have confirmed that two significant actors, Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver), will not be returning as series regulars after Season 13. While Chicago Fire has seen its share of departures—including the significant recent exit of Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker)—losing both Ritter and Carver simultaneously represents a painful, double blow. These actors played characters who were central to the show’s ongoing emotional storylines and represented the next generation of Firehouse 51 leadership.
The core reason, sources suggest, is a cold, hard truth: budget cuts. These departures are reportedly part of a wider cost-cutting initiative across the entire Dick Wolf universe, signaling that even the most beloved, high-performing network dramas are not immune to financial pressures. For fans who have invested years in these characters’ journeys, the forced nature of these exits feels like a profound betrayal of the show’s narrative integrity.
The Budget Reality: A Sacrifice of Character
In the current TV landscape, networks are tightening budgets for long-running procedurals. When production costs rise and actor contracts come up for renewal, the easiest way to save money is often to let go of actors whose tenure, while substantial, doesn’t match the multi-million dollar salaries of the original, veteran cast.
Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett became unfortunate casualties of this process.
Darren Ritter: The Lost Legacy of Engine 51
Darren Ritter, portrayed by Daniel Kyri, has been a fixture at Firehouse 51 since Season 7, evolving from an anxious candidate who struggled to handle the pressure of the job into a highly capable and respected firefighter on Engine 51.
Ritter was more than just a background player; he was a character who brought necessary diversity and representation to the cast. As one of the few prominent LGBTQ+ characters in the One Chicago universe, his relationship with his boyfriend, Dwayne, and his professional growth provided unique storytelling avenues that resonated deeply with a specific segment of the audience.
His exit, reportedly due to budgetary constraints, is frustrating because his storyline felt incomplete. He was a protégé of Mouch and Herrmann, a steady hand on the engine, and a key link to the firehouse’s emotional center. His departure doesn’t offer a strong, organic conclusion; it simply snips a thread that the show should have followed for years to come.
Sam Carver: The End of #Carvlet
The loss of Sam Carver, played by Jake Lockett, carries an even sharper narrative sting due to his central involvement in the show’s most electric romantic plot: his “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic with paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith), dubbed #Carvlet.
Carver, introduced in Season 11, was a compelling character defined by his talent, his volatile temper, and a dark, complicated past rooted in a toxic relationship and a struggle with addiction. His journey toward redemption was meticulously built through his slow-burn, magnetic relationship with Violet.
The ultimate tragedy of his exit lies in its timing:
- Emotional Cliffhanger: Season 13 climaxed with Carver and Violet finally confessing their true, deep love for each other. This long-awaited moment of romantic fulfillment immediately preceded Carver’s admission that he had applied for a job in Denver—a move necessitated by his realization that he needed a physical, geographical separation to maintain his sobriety.
- A Broken Promise: For the writers to finally deliver the payoff to the #Carvlet romance only to immediately tear it apart for external financial reasons feels like a broken promise to the audience. It strips Violet of a deserved long-term love story and leaves Carver’s complex redemption arc unresolved.
As Lockett stated in his farewell, he is going to “miss the hell out of” his time, confirming the actor’s emotional connection to the role he was forced to leave.
The Looming Void at Firehouse 51
The simultaneous departure of Ritter and Carver will necessitate a significant creative overhaul for Season 14. Firehouse 51 will not only be down two men but will lose two vital emotional and professional links.
The Impact on Violet Mikami
Violet is arguably the character most damaged by these exits. Not only is she losing her professional partner and best friend (after the earlier departure of Sylvie Brett), but she is losing the love of her life just as the relationship began.
Season 14 will likely find Violet heartbroken and perhaps cynical. The writers face a difficult choice:
- Long-Distance Struggle: Attempt a frustrating, off-screen long-distance relationship that constantly stalls her own development.
- The Clean Break: Force Violet to mourn the loss of Carver and move on, robbing the audience of the long-term payoff they were promised.
This storyline puts immense pressure on Hanako Greensmith to carry the weight of this tragic romantic outcome, all because of an external budget decision.
Leadership and New Recruits
The exits of Ritter and Carver come on the heels of Chief Boden’s departure. Firehouse 51 is losing its foundational leader and two of its promising, next-generation firefighters. This creates a gaping leadership and manpower void.
The show will be forced to introduce new characters rapidly, demanding that the audience invest in them immediately after being burned by the abrupt loss of established favorites. This risks creating a sense of instability and wariness among viewers, who may hesitate to bond with new recruits if they believe they, too, are only temporary budget placeholders.
A Wake-Up Call for the One Chicago Universe
The forced exit of two fan-favorite actors like Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett is more than just a casting update; it is a symptom of a larger problem facing successful, long-running network dramas.
It demonstrates that loyalty to narrative and character development can be superseded by financial mandates. While the show remains a ratings powerhouse, sacrificing well-developed, diverse, and narratively crucial characters sends a disappointing message to the dedicated fanbase.
To succeed in Season 14, Chicago Fire must honor the legacies of Ritter and Carver with believable, emotional send-offs—not just throwaway lines explaining their absence. Their stories deserve to conclude with the dignity that reflects their importance to the Firehouse 51 family, a family that, for better or worse, just got a lot smaller. The Chicago Fire writers now have the difficult task of reminding fans why they should still invest in the new family dynamic, even after watching the old one burn.
