Back in May, it was announced that the original Chicago Fire cast member Eamonn Walker would be stepping away from the NBC drama after playing Chief Wallace Boden for twelve seasons. Now, Chief Boden’s replacement has finally been revealed!
Chief Boden’s Exit
Sources told Deadline that the decision to leave Chicago Fire was made by Walker himself. In the season 12 finale of Chicago Fire back in the spring, Chief Boden left his role as Fire Chief of Firehouse 51 to become the CFD’s Deputy Commissioner. Boden was reluctant to take this position at first.
However, Boden changed his mind when he learned the department was in jeopardy due to the candidacy of Paramedic Chief Robinson (Laura Allen). Indeed, she wanted to replace the older generation of firefighters with younger recruits, which didn’t sit well with Boden.
“Boden has been managing a lot of change at home (with his stepson James) and at 51, and learned a lot while doing it, including about himself,” Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Insider on May 19. “A shocking incident in the finale will highlight what it means to him to be a leader, and everyone close to him will be impacted in a huge way by the decision he makes.”
Chief Boden’s Replacement
It has since been announced that Walker’s replacement on Chicago Fire is Dermot Mulroney. He will be portraying the veteran Chicago firefighter Dom Pascal, who has been working as a fire chief in Miami, Florida for the past decade. Pascal moved back to Chicago to accept this position. He is also estranged from his wife Monica, which will be a major storyline of the 13th season.
“What’s transpired to get him [Pascal] here is revealed in the premiere,” Newman teased. “He’s a totally different kind of leader from Boden, who was a father figure by the time he left the house.”
Newman went on to say that Pascal “is enigmatic, he wants to peel back the layers of the firefighters to find out more about them as firefighters and people because knowledge is power to him. He’s got his eye out for people who cross the line.”
Will Chief Boden Appear On Season 13?
Fans of Chief Boden will be happy to learn that Walker will be making at least one appearance in season 13, just not right away.
“We have a mantra,” Newman explained. “We say once a part of 51, always a part of 51. That’s particularly true for Boden because he’s still in the CFD. So yes, we do plan on seeing him, although not right off the bat.”
While it’ll be exciting to see what Pascal brings to the show, Chief Boden’s return can’t come soon enough!
Season 13 of Chicago Fire premiered on NBC last night. The show airs every Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. New episodes are then available to stream on Peacock the next day.
