One of Chicago Fire’s OG’s is riding off into the sunset.
Eamonn Walker, 61, who plays Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden, is leaving the series – as a regular character, at least.
Execs for the long-running drama assured Deadline that the Boden character and storyline were alive and well and more details would be unfurled in the Season 12 finale Never Say Goodbye on May 22.
The decision to cut back on his work on the show is his own and although Walker’s character has been on a leave of absence from the fire station, he will be returning for the season finale.
Boden took a leave of absence from the fire department to help his son James sort out the mess created when his mom went to prison in episode nine.
Walker’s character has also appeared in the other One Chicago shows Chicago Med and Chicago P.D.
Boden began as Battalion Chief of Battalion 25 and was promoted to Deputy District Chief in Season 10.
In Season 12, he is in the running to be Deputy Fire Commissioner against Chief Robinson (Laura Allen).
The official log line for the season finale reads: ‘Boden makes a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner.’
Walker was one of the five remaining series regulars from Chicago Fire’s first season in 2012.
The others are Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte and Joe Minoso.
Walker is an accomplished actor who has spent more than four decades crafting characters for stage, film and television.
In addition to his 12 seasons on Chicago Fire, Walker has also played Kareem Saïd in the HBO series Oz for which he won the CableAce Award.
He also played Dr. Stephen Dakarai on E.R. and abolitionist Frederick Douglass in the BBC series Copper.
He was the first Black actor to bring Othello to live at the Globe Theatre in London and in the television movie.
Walker’s film credits include Lord of War, The Messenger, Unbreakable, Tears of the Sun and The Company Men.
He also played blues legend Howlin’ Wolf in the 2008 movie Cadillac Records.
