Brandon Larracuente is officially trading his firefighter gear from On Call for a fresh start at Firehouse 51. Although Dick Wolf’s On Call only lasted a single season, one of its breakout stars is now crossing over to one of Wolf’s longest-running NBC hits: Chicago Fire. According to Variety, Larracuente has joined Chicago Fire Season 14 as a series regular—and fans are buzzing about what this could mean.
A Firehouse in Transition
Firehouse 51 is heading into major changes after the departures of not one, but two key firefighters. Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) are set to exit the show during Season 14. While showrunner Andrea Newman has confirmed that the hope is to give them “big exits,” that also means there’s room—and a need—for fresh blood. Enter Larracuente.
Though details about his character are still under wraps, his arrival comes at a time when roles at 51 are shifting dramatically. With Ritter and Carver on their way out, Larracuente’s character could easily find himself filling a spot on Truck under Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). But that’s not the only shakeup happening at 51.
More Than Just New Faces—It’s a Full-Blown Shakeup
Season 13’s finale was full of unexpected turns. Perhaps most surprising was Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) stepping down from his anticipated promotion to chief in order to let Mouch (Christian Stolte) take over as lieutenant on Engine. It’s clear the firehouse is entering a new era—and it’s going to be messy.
Showrunner Andrea Newman previewed the chaos in an interview with TV Insider, warning that “nobody is safe” as the CFD begins implementing its new mandates. She hinted that Season 14 will explore how sweeping changes from the top impact every member of the firehouse—from leadership to boots on the ground.
“It’s not just about getting to know this new character,” Newman teased, referencing Season 13 addition Chief Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). “A new character brings out new sides to the people we’ve had for a long time.” Expect the same dynamic when Larracuente’s character is thrown into the mix.
What to Expect from Firehouse 51 in Season 14
With the possibility of the CFD instituting two-person crews on engines and squads, operational logistics are about to get tight. Rotating personnel, unfamiliar team-ups, and communication breakdowns may become frequent—and dangerous.
Newman acknowledged the potential for tension and mistakes. “It’ll be tight, and we’ll probably see some rotations of people coming in and covering,” she said. “That can get messy… mistakes can get made when that happens out in the field.”
In that kind of volatile environment, Larracuente’s character could either be a stabilizing presence or a wildcard. Either way, he’s entering at a moment where his impact could be immediate—and lasting.
Final Thoughts
Brandon Larracuente’s addition to Chicago Fire Season 14 promises a new layer of drama and intensity. With two long-standing characters on the way out, Herrmann stepping aside, and structural changes shaking the foundation of Firehouse 51, Larracuente’s character arrives right in the middle of the storm.
What role will he play? Will he earn the respect of a team still reeling from loss and leadership changes? One thing’s certain: Season 14 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable yet—and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
