Dermot Mulroney Discusses Joining ‘Chicago Fire’ for Season 13
You may know him for being the love interest of both Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz in the 1997 fan-favorite romantic comedy My Best Friend’s Wedding, but Dermot Mulroney has come a long way over the past few decades to celebrate his versatility as an actor — from his recurring role on the series Shameless to the latest horror film Scream VI and even playing Sydney Sweeney’s dad in Anyone But You.
With both My Best Friend’s Wedding and Shameless famously filmed in Chicago, Mulroney, 60, has returned to his Midwestern roots for his latest role as Dom Pascal, the new Fire Chief of District 51 on NBC’s hit series Chicago Fire.
I sat down with Mulroney to discuss his thoughts on joining the long-running series in Season 13, the trajectory of his acting career, and the message he wants Chicago Fire’s loyal fans to hear.
Dermot Mulroney: Oh, I didn’t know they were looking for an actor to replace Chief Boden, so other people knew about that. In my experience, it was unexpected! I mean, being invited to be part of this incredible series that spans multiple cities and multiple decades. The more I’m here [on the Chicago Fire set], the more immersive and rewarding the experience is.
Mulroney: It’s remarkable to be in. The only thing that’s close to me that’s also set in Chicago, Shameless, which I was on – a hit series in its fifth and sixth seasons, and it’s a beloved show here, too. Being on a show that has been on the air and has millions of fans watching, loving, and anticipating the next season is something I’ve never experienced before. A lot of it is new to me. I’m watching the character grow under my feet and ultimately, as long as I do this, this is the character I’ll be playing and portraying for the longest time. It’s thrilling. It’s really exciting to wait for the next episode to air. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. That’s very unusual for me as an actor. I usually know what’s going to happen on the last page.
