NBC’s Chicago Fire is known for its gripping and emotionally charged depictions of life as a first responder. From rushing into burning buildings to rescuing victims from collapsing structures, the show consistently puts its characters in high-stakes, high-intensity situations. While these dramatic moments captivate viewers, they can take an emotional toll on the cast tasked with bringing such harrowing scenarios to life.
For the actors, portraying the bravery and resilience of Chicago’s fictional Firehouse 51 isn’t just about adrenaline-pumping action—it’s also about finding balance. Surprisingly, for veteran actor Eamonn Walker, who plays Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden, the key to maintaining that balance is humor.
Laughter Is the Best Medicine for Heavy Scenes
In an interview with NBC 10 Philadelphia, Walker revealed how the cast relies on humor to keep things light on set, even while working on some of the show’s darkest moments. “When we cut, we laugh a lot,” Walker shared. “We laugh more than most.” This sense of camaraderie and shared levity helps the actors reset between takes, preventing the intense subject matter from becoming overwhelming.
Walker explained that the emotional weight of Chicago Fire’s storylines is often compounded by the visual realism of the scenes. The show’s makeup artists work tirelessly to create graphic injuries and burns that are as authentic as possible. “When the makeup artist has been working for the last 14 hours … sticking bits of flesh on [the victim], and then he’s painted him … you’ve got a broken femur here or an eye socket that’s dropped down there,” Walker said. “You have to pretend that’s not upsetting your spirit.”
In these moments, the earlier laughter among castmates becomes even more valuable. It acts as a counterbalance to the intensity of the material, allowing the actors to maintain their focus and deliver powerful performances without being weighed down emotionally.
Adrenaline-Fueled Fun for Some Cast Members
While Walker turns to humor to ease the heaviness, other Chicago Fire stars find joy in the thrilling action sequences. Taylor Kinney, who played Lieutenant Kelly Severide until 2023, often embraced the adrenaline rush of the show’s high-stakes stunts.
One of Kinney’s favorite memories from his decade on the series came during the Season 6 episode “Law of the Jungle.” In the scene, Severide and Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) stand on a rooftop as a massive explosion looms. Their only escape is to leap into the Chicago River. Recalling the moment to NBC Insider, Kinney said, “They both jump off [and] a big fireball explodes. It’s one of the best memories I’ve had in the last 10 years.”
For Kinney, these action-packed scenes provided an outlet for fun and excitement, making the demanding aspects of the job feel rewarding.
A Team That Laughs Together Stays Together
The combination of thrilling stunts and behind-the-scenes laughter creates a unique dynamic for the Chicago Fire cast. Despite the heavy themes explored on the show, their shared humor fosters a sense of family and helps them navigate the emotional intensity of their work.
Walker’s insight into the lighter moments on set highlights the importance of maintaining balance when working on such a demanding series. Whether it’s through humor, adrenaline, or camaraderie, the cast of Chicago Fire has found ways to stay grounded while delivering the powerful performances fans have come to love.
