After five seasons as one half of Firehouse 51’s paramedic duo, is Violet Mikami’s time on Chicago Fire coming to an end?
Hanako Greensmith first appeared as paramedic Violet Mikami in Season 8, initially joining the cast as a recurring character before becoming a series regular in Season 10. Introduced as a rival to firefighter Blake Gallo, with whom she trained in the fire academy, Violet officially joined Ambulance 61 in Season 9 following the exit of former paramedic Gianna Mackey. By Season 12, she had ascended to the role of Paramedic in Charge after Sylvie Brett’s departure.
Is Violet Mikami Leaving Chicago Fire?
Speculation about Violet’s potential exit began in Season 13, Episode 4, titled “Through the Skin.” In this episode, she performs an emergency cesarean section on a pregnant woman, only to have her emergency medical services license suspended. As she faces this crisis, Violet asks the new Chief of Firehouse 51, Dom Pascal, “What do you think is going to happen to me?”
As of now, neither NBC nor Greensmith has confirmed her departure from the show. In fact, her Instagram biography still includes “Violet Mikami 🔥 @nbconechicago,” suggesting she remains with the series. Additionally, she posted a promotion for Chicago Fire Season 13 in September 2024, further hinting at her continued involvement: “Lucky season 13 let’s GO MFS 🔥,” she captioned the post. Her co-star Jake Lockett, who plays Violet’s love interest Sam Carver, even commented, “You know how to get my good side!”
If Violet does leave the show, it would follow closely behind the recent firing of firefighter Jack Damon. Damon was let go by Chief Pascal for lying about his relationship with his brother, Lieutenant Kelly Severide, and for disregarding orders from his sister-in-law, Lieutenant Stella Kidd. This sequence of events has fans concerned about Violet’s fate, especially given the ongoing trend of character exits from the One Chicago franchise.
Recent Exits from the One Chicago Universe
Greensmith would join a growing list of One Chicago stars who have departed in recent months, including Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett), Eamonn Walker (Chief Wallace Boden), and Alberto Rosende (Blake Gallo), all of whom exited during Season 12. The franchise also saw Tracy Spiridakos (Detective Hailey Upton) and Dominic Rains (Dr. Crockett Marcel) leave their respective shows in recent seasons.
In a 2024 interview with TVLine, Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman addressed the numerous departures, stating that longevity plays a significant role in the changing dynamics of long-running series. “Honestly, longevity is really just part of it,” Newman explained. “Shows that run as long as Chicago Fire have to shake things up to keep storylines fresh. You want new characters and you want new dynamics.” She added, “Actor-wise, 12 years is a long time. Nobody expects in TV that they’re going to be anywhere for 12 years.”
Although Greensmith joined Chicago Fire in Season 8, making her a relatively newer cast member compared to others, her status does not shield her from the unpredictability of the franchise. The recent exit of Rosende after four seasons serves as a reminder that even newer cast members are not immune to the series’ evolving landscape.
Conclusion
As fans speculate about Violet Mikami’s future on Chicago Fire, the show’s history of sudden character departures raises eyebrows. With the series continually evolving and shedding familiar faces, it remains uncertain who will be next to leave Firehouse 51. As viewers await further developments, they can only hope that Violet will continue to be a part of the gripping stories that have made Chicago Fire a flagship series for over a decade.
