A month before the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, reports disclosed that Jake Lockett (who played Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (who played Darren Ritter) would leave the show. Their exits were a result of budget cuts, and many assumed they would have to bid adieu to more characters in the One Chicago universe. The latest exit came about unexpectedly, though.
Michael Bradway Is Leaving Chicago Fire Ahead Of Season 14
Jack Damon Won’t Return
According to Soaps.com, Michael Bradway will no longer be a part of the Chicago Fire cast. The actor, who played Jack Damon (Kelly Severide’s half-brother), plans to leave the series ahead of the upcoming season 14 premiere. However, it doesn’t appear that Bradway’s departure can be attributed to budget cuts from NBC — he has a scheduling conflict.
Damon Didn’t Have A Big Role In The Chicago Fire Season 13 Finale
The Last Episode Didn’t Focus On Severide’s Half-Brother
Bradway’s exit in and of itself is disappointing. But the fact that it comes after an underwhelming episode for his Chicago Fire character makes it all the more frustrating. Nothing remarkable happened to Damon in the NBC procedural drama’s season 13 finale, failing to set up his goodbye to Firehouse 51. Consequently, Damon’s fate in season 14 is unclear.
| Chicago Fire Season 14 Main Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Taylor Kinney | Kelly Severide |
| Miranda Rae Mayo | Stella Kidd |
| David Eigenberg | Christopher Herrmann |
| Christian Stolte | Randall “Mouch” McHolland |
| Joe Minoso | Joe Cruz |
| Hanako Greensmith | Violet Mikami |
| Jocelyn Hudon | Lizzie Novak |
| Dermot Mulroney | Dom Pascal |
Like Damon, Ritter was hardly in the Chicago Fire season 13 finale. The episode never indicated that Ritter was leaving, and if someone didn’t hear about Kyri’s exit, they would believe that his character was returning for season 14. Meanwhile, Carver planned to move to Denver, but he declared his love for Violet Mikami and kissed her during the finale’s closing moments.
All in all, the Chicago Fire season 13 finale did very little to prepare the audience for Carver, Ritter, and Damon’s exits. Given that they likely won’t return (except for Carver, who some speculate will have a recurring role in season 14), their departures must be explained in one-off comments. Carver, Ritter, and Damon are important characters, though, who deserve better.
How Chicago Fire Can Give Damon Closure Without Bradway
The Actor Won’t Be Available To Film Damon’s Goodbye
Unfortunately, the one explanation that makes the most sense (but doesn’t really at all) is for Damon to transfer to another fire station ahead of Chicago Fire season 14. Perhaps his will-they/won’t-they romance with Lizzie Novak ended poorly, causing Damon to want a change of scenery. Or he could just get a good job opportunity somewhere else.
But Bradway might be busy if Prime Video adapts One Golden Summer (Carley Fortune’s sequel to Every Summer After that focuses on Charlie, Bradway’s character) after Every Year After concludes.
Whatever the case, it seems like the NBC procedural drama plans on leaving the door open for Damon’s potential return. So, fans shouldn’t expect him to die. Instead, Damon will leave Firehouse 51 for one reason or another. However, Chicago Fire season 14 should make it possible for him to come back, meaning closure isn’t a guarantee.
