Fans of Chicago Fire were thrilled to see a familiar face return in Season 11, Episode 18. Jesse Spencer, who departed the series over a year ago, made a memorable comeback as Captain Matt Casey, reuniting with Firehouse 51 for a brief but impactful appearance. While Casey’s storyline has taken him away from Chicago to Oregon, his recent return has sparked hope that fans may not have seen the last of him.
In an interview with NBC Insider, Spencer opened up about the possibility of reprising his role again in the future. “The idea when I left the show was that if it was appropriate and worked with the storyline they wanted to do, I’d be open—and they’d be open—to bringing Casey back,” Spencer explained. He also teased the potential for Casey’s future, adding, “The storyline [in Episode 18] does allude to Casey sort of eyeing whether he could actually move back to 51. Can he potentially, in the future, rekindle his relationship with Brett and start that fire again? We’re gonna have to see.”
Though there are no official plans for a full-time return, Spencer’s comments suggest that Casey’s story is far from over, leaving the door open for fans to hope for more appearances.
Why Jesse Spencer Left—and Why He Keeps Coming Back
Spencer’s exit during Season 10 was primarily a personal decision. After nearly two decades of working consistently in television, the actor felt it was time to explore new opportunities and focus on his personal life. “This was a difficult decision because I have loved the show from the start,” Spencer told People at the time. “But there are other things I’d like to do in the future, and there’s some family that I need to take care of. Eighteen years is a long time.”
Despite leaving the show, Spencer has maintained a connection to Chicago Fire. He first returned for the Season 10 finale, where Casey served as the best man for Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) during his wedding to Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). That episode also marked a turning point in Casey’s long-distance relationship with Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), as the couple decided to part ways.
Now, with his Season 11 guest spot, Spencer has reminded fans just how integral Casey is to the fabric of Firehouse 51. His interactions with Brett and his musings about potentially moving back to Chicago hint at unresolved storylines that could pave the way for more appearances.
What Could Be Next for Matt Casey?
While Spencer has yet to confirm a full-time return, there are plenty of narrative threads that the series could explore if Casey were to make his way back to Chicago. Could he rejoin Firehouse 51 as a permanent team member? Would he rekindle his romance with Brett and pick up where they left off?
For now, fans can savor the moments they’ve had with Casey since his departure and hold out hope that this beloved character will find his way back to Chicago Fire. After all, as Spencer’s willingness to return shows, anything is possible in the One Chicago universe.
