The end of a Chicago Fire season is always a bittersweet affair. It marks the conclusion of a chapter, leaving fans with a sense of closure, but also with a lingering sadness over a character’s departure. The Season 13 finale was no different, as it saw the emotional and professional exit of beloved character Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri). While the goodbye was heartbreaking, it was also unique. Unlike other departures that have felt final, Ritter’s exit was left open-ended, a narrative choice that has sent a wave of excitement through the One Chicago fandom. It wasn’t a tragic death or a final retirement; it was a choice to seek a new path. This choice, it turns out, was a deliberate and brilliant narrative maneuver that laid the perfect blueprint for a future crossover—a crossover that could see Ritter making a triumphant return to the One Chicago universe, but not as a firefighter.
This is a crossover that has been the subject of fan speculation for years, and it is a hope that has been voiced by none other than actor Daniel Kyri himself. His desire to stay in the universe and to explore the different facets of his character’s personality is a testament to his love for the role and the show. His hope is now a very real possibility, a blueprint that was laid in the final moments of Season 13. The pieces are all in place, and the time has come for Ritter to trade his firefighter gear for a police badge and join the ranks of the Chicago P.D.
The Actor’s Crossover Hopes
For years, Daniel Kyri has expressed a deep love for his character and the One Chicago universe. In numerous interviews and public statements, he has talked about the joy of being a part of a show that has such a deep connection to its audience. He has also expressed a desire to see his character grow and evolve, to push the boundaries of what a character can be. His departure from Firehouse 51 was not a sign of his unhappiness; it was a sign of his ambition. It was a choice to seek a new challenge, a new way to contribute to the world of One Chicago.
This ambition, it turns out, aligns perfectly with the show’s own narrative plans. The writers, it seems, have been listening to the fans and to the actors, and they have been laying the groundwork for a major crossover that would not only honor Ritter’s legacy but would also give him a new, exciting storyline. The blueprint for this crossover was laid in the final moments of Season 13, and it is a blueprint that is poised to change the One Chicago universe forever.
The Season 13 Blueprint
The Season 13 finale’s handling of Ritter’s departure was masterful. Unlike the sudden, tragic deaths of past characters, Ritter’s exit was a choice. It was a choice that was driven by a sense of dissatisfaction and a desire for a new purpose. The show didn’t kill him off or send him away for a mundane reason; it sent him on a journey. This open-ended exit is the perfect foundation for a crossover. It leaves the door open for his return, and it gives the writers a narrative reason to bring him back in a new capacity.
The show has also, for years, hinted at Ritter’s intelligence and his moral compass. He is not just a brave firefighter; he is a thinker, a man who is always looking for a new way to contribute to the world. His personality is a perfect fit for a role in law enforcement. As an intelligence analyst or a community liaison, he would be able to use his unique skills and his deep understanding of the city to help solve crimes and to build a better relationship between the police and the community.
The show’s history of these kinds of crossovers also makes this a very real possibility. Characters have moved between Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med for years, and these crossovers have always been a source of excitement and joy for the fans. A crossover that would see Ritter making a triumphant return to the One Chicago universe would not only be a fan service; it would be a brilliant piece of storytelling.
Why This Crossover Makes Sense
A Ritter crossover to Chicago P.D. makes perfect sense for both shows. For Chicago Fire, it would keep a beloved character in the universe and honor the emotional investment of the fans. It would provide a satisfying continuation of his story, a story that would not feel rushed or unresolved. It would also be a testament to the show’s willingness to listen to its fans and to give them the storylines they want.
For Chicago P.D., it would introduce a fresh, new dynamic to the Intelligence Unit. A character with a firefighter’s perspective would be a unique and a valuable addition. He could be a new, more emotionally grounded foil for the detectives, a man who is not just a cop but also a human being with a deep understanding of the city and its people. His presence would add a new layer of complexity to the show, and it would give the writers a chance to explore a new kind of heroism.
The show has, in many ways, already laid the groundwork for this crossover. The pieces are all in place. The narrative is ready. The actors are willing. All that is needed is for the show’s producers to make it happen. The Chicago Fire Season 13 finale was not an ending for Ritter; it was a beginning. A beginning that is poised to change the One Chicago universe forever.
