Chi-Hards, mark your calendars: the long wait is finally over. Chicago Fire Season 14 is officially set to premiere on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9/8c on NBC. The stalwart drama, the anchor of Dick Wolf’s iconic “One Chicago” lineup, is returning with a season promising massive internal shake-ups, emotional cast farewells, and a major relationship milestone for the firehouse’s power couple.
The new season will pick up directly after the explosive events of the Season 13 finale, which left the futures of several key characters hanging in the balance and the leadership structure of Firehouse 51 fundamentally changed. Here is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about the highly anticipated return of the Chicago Fire Department’s bravest.
The Essential Details: Premiere Date and How to Watch
The return of Chicago Fire will reignite “Windy City Wednesdays” on NBC, cementing its place as the heart of the network’s successful procedural block.
The consistent Wednesday time slot is excellent news for fans who rely on the back-to-back action of the three shows. With all three dramas returning in their usual slots, the stage is set for potential crossover events, although early indications suggest Season 14 will focus more heavily on individual firehouse drama.
Firehouse 51 Roster: Exits, Arrivals, and Promotions
Season 14 will see the largest roster shake-up Firehouse 51 has experienced in years, with three characters confirmed to be exiting the series and a new face joining the Truck 81 crew.
Major Cast Exits and Limited Returns
- Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) is leaving: Carver’s final appearance is expected to be either the Season 13 finale or the beginning of Season 14. His decision to transfer to the Denver Fire Department to focus on his sobriety leaves his burgeoning romance with Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) on a major cliffhanger.
- Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) is departing: After several seasons, Kyri is exiting his role as Firefighter Ritter. While he is leaving the main cast, sources confirm he will return for a limited run of episodes at the beginning of Season 14 to give his character a proper, emotional farewell.
- Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) is out: Kelly Severide’s half-brother, Jack Damon, who was introduced to complicate the Severide/Kidd dynamic, will not be a series regular in Season 14 due to the actor taking another role.
The New Face
- Brandon Larracuente joins as Sal Vasquez: Stepping in to fill a spot on the roster is a new firefighter, Sal Vasquez. Descriptions suggest Vasquez is confident and charming, with a family history in first response. His character is expected to create tension on Truck 81 and will likely present a new challenge for Lieutenant Kidd.
The Shocking Demotion and Promotion
One of the biggest internal shifts will be the official switch in leadership on Engine 51:
- Mouch (Christian Stolte) is promoted to Lieutenant: After passing his lieutenant’s exam, Mouch finally gets the promotion he earned.
- Herrmann (David Eigenberg) steps down to Firefighter: In a selfless move, Herrmann decided not to pursue the Chief’s exam, realizing his true passion is on the front lines, not behind a desk. He voluntarily relinquished his Lieutenant position so his best friend, Mouch, could take the role. This massive change is expected to be a key emotional storyline, as the premiere synopsis hints that “Herrmann stalls on plans of relinquishing his office to Mouch,” setting up early tension between the two longtime partners.
Major Season 14 Storylines to Expect
Season 14 is poised to deliver intense character drama, focusing on the core relationships and professional pressures facing the remaining members of Firehouse 51.
Stellaride’s Parenthood Journey
The biggest personal reveal of the Season 13 finale was that Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) is pregnant with Lieutenant Kelly Severide’s (Taylor Kinney) child.
- This storyline comes after the couple’s emotional decision to pursue adoption, making the pregnancy a heartfelt, unexpected twist.
- Showrunners have teased that the pregnancy will drastically raise the stakes for the couple. They will have to navigate the inherent dangers of their job with the knowledge that they have a child depending on them—a reality that hits close to home for Kidd, whose parents died when she was young.
- The season will explore how this changes their approach to their careers and their relationship with risk management, promising a far more complex arc than a simple “goo-goo-ga-ga” baby plot.
Violet and Carver’s Impossible Romance
Violet is left to process the immediate aftermath of Carver’s decision to move to Denver, a choice he made for his sobriety despite their shared kiss in the finale.
- With Jake Lockett leaving the show, the relationship is all but guaranteed to end in heartbreak for Violet.
- Season 14 will follow Chief Paramedic Violet as she processes the loss and re-enters the dating pool, while simultaneously navigating the emotional fallout of the abrupt departure of the man she confessed her love to.
The Political and Professional Landscape
The firehouse won’t just be dealing with internal drama; outside forces will put pressure on the CFD:
- Layoffs and Budget Cuts: The Season 13 finale teased looming layoffs and restructuring within the Chicago Fire Department. This systemic pressure is expected to be a major backdrop for Season 14, creating an environment of heightened professional insecurity for all the firefighters, and may even be the catalyst for Ritter’s departure.
- Political Intrigue: The addition of a recurring character, Annette Davis, the mayor’s chief of staff, will introduce a new layer of political tension, particularly with Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). This is a classic One Chicago move, ensuring the threats faced by Firehouse 51 are not just physical but bureaucratic and political.
Why Season 14 Matters
After over a decade on the air, Chicago Fire Season 14 represents a significant creative turning point. The high volume of cast departures and arrivals, coupled with the profound character development for Severide, Kidd, Herrmann, and Mouch, signals an intent to re-energize and refocus the series.
By committing to a storyline that will fundamentally alter the personal and professional lives of its most beloved characters, Chicago Fire aims to honor its legacy while confidently blazing new trails. The premiere is set to resolve immediate cliffhangers, introduce new sources of conflict, and confirm that the drama is still running hotter than ever.
