When Charlie Barnett’s Peter Mills walked away from Chicago Fire at the end of Season 3, it sent shockwaves through the One Chicago fanbase. Mills, the bright and eager firefighter-turned-paramedic, had become a core part of the series’ DNA. So why would the show let him go?
Now, more than a decade later, Barnett is reflecting on the sudden departure that once left him “broken” — and how it turned out to be the best decision for his career.
“It Broke Me” — The Pain of an Unexpected Exit
In a candid interview with Digital Spy, Barnett recalled how painful it was to be written out of the NBC hit.
“I really was sad to be let go. It broke me for quite a long time,” he admitted.
As one of the original cast members, Barnett was there when Chicago Fire ignited the One Chicago universe. The actor never saw his time on the show as a stepping stone — he saw it as home. But as TV often demands, storylines evolve and cast turnover is inevitable.
“Yeah. It was a blessing in disguise, and they all told me that,” he continued. “You never really see the bad moments becoming the good. So I’m thankful.”
Behind the Decision: A Creative Shake-Up
At the time of Barnett’s exit in 2015, executive producer Matt Olmstead explained the rationale behind the choice: storytelling longevity.
“It was solely based on bringing in new people for new stories,” Olmstead told TV Guide. “Otherwise, it turns into a clown car. You have affection for [your cast], so you keep everybody — but it’s at the detriment of being objective.”
The creative team believed that shaking up the cast was essential to keeping the show fresh. Unfortunately, that meant saying goodbye to Peter Mills.
Though fans were heartbroken, the show moved forward, introducing new dynamics and storylines that shaped the next generation of Firehouse 51. Still, Mills’ absence was deeply felt — and his legacy remains a favorite among longtime viewers.
The Comeback Kid: Barnett’s Career Soars
While the departure stung, Barnett proved that resilience pays off. In the years since leaving Chicago Fire, he’s built an impressive résumé that few could have predicted.
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Netflix’s Russian Doll showcased his emotional range and comedic timing.
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He took a chilling turn in You, playing an emotionally complex love interest in Season 2.
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He reunited with LGBTQ+ audiences in Tales of the City, bringing depth to a role rooted in community and self-discovery.
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He even joined the Arrowverse as a series regular in the final season of Arrow, further solidifying his range.
In short: Charlie Barnett didn’t just bounce back — he thrived.
Still Connected to Firehouse 51
Despite his departure, Barnett hasn’t lost touch with his Chicago Fire roots. He shared that he still keeps in contact with David Eigenberg (Herrmann), Joe Minoso (Cruz), and Monica Raymund (Gabriela Dawson), who exited after Season 6.
These friendships remind fans that while cast changes can shake up a story, the bonds formed behind the scenes often outlast the scripts.
Looking back, Barnett’s journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of Hollywood — and the quiet strength of moving on.
From heartbreak to headline roles, Charlie Barnett’s exit from Chicago Fire may have been painful, but it was anything but the end. In fact, it was just the beginning.
🔥 And who knows? In the ever-expanding One Chicago universe, maybe Peter Mills could find his way back to Firehouse 51 one day — even if just for a visit.
