Prepare the tissues, because things are getting quite teary and verklempt in a Chicago Fire promo for next Wednesday’s Season 12 finale (NBC, 9/8c), which marks longtime cast member Eamonn Walker’s last one as a series regular.
“You made 51 a family, Chief, and this firehouse a home,” Cruz tells Walker’s Boden in the above video.
“You’ve inspired a group of firefighters who know the meaning of bravery,” Stella adds as tears are shed and hugs are shared.
As previously reported, Walker will exit the long-running NBC drama in the May 22 season finale, titled “Never Say Goodbye,” after playing Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden for 12 seasons. The actor will not be entirely missing from the show, as he is expected to appear in a recurring capacity in the future, per Deadline. (The series was already renewed for a 13th season this past March.)
Boden has been M.I.A. recently, with Severide stepping in as the firehouse’s ranking officer in his absence. In next week’s installment, “Boden makes a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner,” reads the official synopsis.
Walker has starred on the show since its 2012 debut and was one of five remaining series regular from the first season. (The others are Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte and Joe Minoso.) His departure comes following the exit of Kara Killmer as paramedic Sylvie Brett, who married Matt Casey (played by former series regular Jesse Spencer) and moved to Portland with him in the season’s sixth episode. Additionally, Alberto Rosende, who played firefighter Blake Gallo, departed in the Season 12 premiere.
