The New Guard: Dermot Mulroney Teases Chief Dom Pascal Isn’t Anybody’s ‘Friend’ on Chicago Fire
The leadership chair at Firehouse 51 is arguably the most sacred spot in the entire One Chicago universe. For twelve seasons, that chair was occupied by the beloved and paternal Chief Wallace Boden, whose commanding presence and moral clarity anchored Chicago Fire.
Stepping into those massive shoes is veteran actor Dermot Mulroney, who joined the cast as Chief Dom Pascal following Boden’s departure. From his initial episodes, Mulroney has made one thing abundantly clear about his character: Pascal is not here to be the crew’s buddy.
As Mulroney himself teased in early interviews about his character’s debut, “He’s not there to be anybody’s best friend.” This simple statement set the stage for a tumultuous new era at 51, where leadership is defined by an abrasive, complex, and sometimes controversial style—a stark departure from the familial warmth that Firehouse 51 has always championed.
1. The Anti-Boden: A Necessary Shake-Up for Firehouse 51
Chief Boden’s legacy was his ability to treat his team as family, fostering an environment where loyalty and emotional support were as important as saving lives. Pascal, conversely, arrived with an air of professional distance and an immediate interest in shaking up the status quo.
- A “Hardass” Persona: Mulroney admitted the writers “have had great fun showing me as kind of a hardass I guess,” emphasizing a focus on rules, protocol, and efficiency over emotional camaraderie. This approach immediately put him at odds with the deeply ingrained culture of Firehouse 51, creating friction with established leaders like Severide, Kidd, and Herrmann.
- The Outsider Status: Pascal was hand-picked by Boden, yet he arrived as an outsider, having relocated from Miami. This lack of history with the 51 crew meant he had no emotional ties to leverage, forcing him to lead through authority rather than affection. This dynamic creates high-stakes drama, as the crew must learn to respect a leader who doesn’t necessarily operate on their wavelength.
2. An Enigmatic and Unpredictable Character Arc
The most compelling aspect of Pascal’s introduction is the underlying mystery that has defined his tenure, a mystery the actor himself is discovering along with the audience. Mulroney has described Pascal as an “enigmatic character,” with storylines that are challenging and often surprising.
- A Riddled Past: The writers initially gave only slight mentions of what led to Pascal’s return from Miami, suggesting a complicated personal life that fueled his intense focus on his career. This narrative choice deliberately kept the audience—and Mulroney—on edge, hinting that there is more to the seemingly cold exterior.
- Fierce Loyalty (Behind the Scenes): Despite his “not-your-friend” attitude, Mulroney noted a subtle truth about his character: “He keeps kind of coming through for people a little bit, maybe behind the scenes somewhat. So, the viewers this season get the feeling that he’s a pretty good guy behind all that.” This small concession suggests a deep, if hidden, sense of loyalty, but one that is expressed through professional support rather than personal connection.
3. The Catalyst: Monica’s Tragic Death and Emotional Fallout
Pascal’s arc took a devastating, character-defining turn with the tragic, unexpected death of his wife, Monica. This immense personal loss served as the ultimate test of Pascal’s stoicism and pushed him to the very edge.
- Grief as a Destroyer: Showrunner Andrea Newman teased that Monica’s death was designed to see how Pascal would react when “the worst imaginable thing has happened to her.” The resulting storyline depicted Pascal spiraling, refusing to accept the death was an accident, lashing out, and needing to be “reined in by his crew.”
- The Unraveling: Mulroney perfectly portrayed Pascal’s inability to cope, showing a man who is “stuck up on anger” and who makes “bad decisions” at the workplace. This vulnerability, however destructive, finally allowed the 51 crew to see the man behind the rank—a professional broken by personal trauma. This intense, shared moment of tragedy is the paradoxical way the non-friend chief began to form “surprising bonds” with his team.
4. Facing the Fire: Pascal’s Political and Professional Future
Heading into Season 14, Chief Pascal is facing not only his personal grief but also immense professional challenges that will determine his long-term viability at Firehouse 51.
- The Budget Cuts: The looming threat of CFD-wide budget cuts and shake-ups introduces a political layer to Pascal’s role. He will be forced to make tough decisions, likely involving a recurring character—Annette Davis, the mayor’s chief of staff—who will have a “very complicated” relationship with him. This political maneuvering further distances him from the day-to-day work, proving his role is purely functional, not paternal.
- The Boden Investigation: The ultimate showdown will involve the return of Eamonn Walker as Boden, who returns to head an investigation into a tragic firefight that went wrong under Pascal’s watch. This development is “very fraught” and “contentious,” with Boden grilling Pascal about his every decision. This internal conflict will define Pascal’s competence and morality in a way no episode before it has.
Mulroney is confident in his character’s future, noting he has “hopes for him” to “weather this storm.” Regardless of whether Pascal remains at 51, his tenure has already made a profound impact.
The Legacy of the Unfriendly Chief
Dermot Mulroney’s portrayal of Chief Dom Pascal delivered exactly what was promised: a leader who is not Boden. He is a high-ranking professional who demands respect and results, not hugs and emotional support.
This “not-your-friend” approach was precisely the character injection Chicago Fire needed. Pascal’s abrasive style and subsequent emotional breakdown served as a powerful narrative device, forcing the veteran crew of 51 to rally together to save their chief, just as they would any other civilian in distress.
Chief Pascal is a complex, flawed, and ultimately human leader. While he may never be invited to a Molly’s poker night, his commitment to his crew—even when expressed through his professional diligence rather than personal warmth—has forged a powerful, if uneasy, new dynamic at Firehouse 51, securing his place as one of the most memorable and controversial leaders in the franchise’s history.
