Charlie Barnett captivated Chicago Fire fans as Peter Mills, a dedicated young firefighter who exemplified courage and heart at Firehouse 51. Mills’ exit was a memorable and emotional moment for One Chicago fans, and since his departure in 2015, Barnett has only continued to shine in a variety of roles across TV and film. Here’s what Barnett has been up to since his impactful time on Chicago Fire.
Barnett’s Diverse Career in TV and Film
Barnett first appeared on Chicago Fire in 2012, where he brought charm and intensity to the character of Peter Mills for three seasons. Even before this breakout role, he had gained early acting experience with appearances in Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and a lead role in Private Romeo, a military-themed adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. While working on Chicago Fire, he appeared in Men in Black 3 alongside stars like Will Smith and Josh Brolin, showing his versatility early on.
Since leaving Chicago Fire, Barnett has continued building his resume with several dynamic roles. In the mystery anthology series Secrets and Lies, he starred as Patrick Warner, and he made a memorable guest appearance in Orange Is the New Black in 2017. That same year, Barnett took on a lead role as intelligence officer Ian Porter in the military drama Valor, further expanding his range in the action-drama genre.
High-Profile Roles in Arrow, You, and Russian Doll
Barnett’s career gained even more traction in 2019, a year packed with high-profile projects. He appeared in Tales of the City as Ben Marshall, starring alongside Laura Linney and Elliot Page. That year, he also joined the CW’s Arrow as John Diggle Jr., and appeared in the second season of Netflix’s thriller You, where he played a memorable recurring role.
One of Barnett’s most widely recognized roles came in Netflix’s mind-bending series Russian Doll. Playing Alan Zaveri, a man navigating a mysterious time loop with Natasha Lyonne’s character, Barnett brought both vulnerability and charm to the role, which earned him acclaim and a strong fan following. His work on Russian Doll further solidified him as a versatile actor capable of handling complex characters.
Recent Projects and Success in Sci-Fi with Star Wars: The Acolyte
Barnett continued his impressive run with roles in Special and NBC’s Ordinary Joe, where he starred as Eric Payne, a central figure in the show’s unique storyline that explores three alternate life paths. Most recently, Barnett joined the Star Wars universe in The Acolyte, portraying Yord Fandar, a Jedi with strong principles. His captivating performance as Fandar has resonated with fans of the sci-fi series, marking another high point in Barnett’s career.
Charlie Barnett has come a long way since his days as Peter Mills, but his impact on Chicago Fire remains unforgettable. With his talent and range, he continues to expand his legacy, making waves in each new project he takes on.
