Donlon isn’t worrisome, but the character he plays, Lieutenant Stephen Vale, is.
Phil Donlon – known for various television projects over the past two decades— has captured our attention on Season 13 of Chicago Fire as Lieutenant Stephen Vale, who continues to make Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) sweat.
While Vale has stolen the show with the juicy drama he’s brought to Firehouse 51, it’s not the first time he’s brought chaos in the One Chicago universe. Those who love Chicago P.D. may remember Donlon from his guest appearance in Season 10. Wolf was clearly impressed with Donlon’s haunting performance because he’s since landed a guest role in Season 13 of Fire, where he has mainly served as a dramatic counterpoint to Pascal. After the tragic death of Pascal’s wife, Vale returned to Pascal’s life in Fire’s April 2, 2025 episode.
As the drama in Pascal’s personal life reaches a fever pitch on Fire, let’s check out how Donlon has previously made waves within the One Chicago universe.
Phil Donlon first played a nefarious foe on Chicago P.D.
While he’s been stirring the pot on Chicago Fire lately, Donlon’s One Chicago debut was in P.D. Season 10, Episode 10 (“This Job”). Donlon played Mike Haxton, an offending criminal who gave the Intelligence Unit a run for its money after assaulting a woman during a string of robberies. Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) dedicated himself to solving the case, ultimately tracking Haxton down and delivering justice.
Phil Donlon now plays Lt. Stephen Vale on Chicago Fire
Donlon plays a far less sinister role on Chicago Fire as Lieutenant Stephen Vale, a seasoned firefighter who knows Chief Pascal from back in the day. As the mysterious Chief Dom Pascal settled into his new post at Firehouse 51, it didn’t take long for Donlon’s Vale to stop by the station to greet his old friend. Pascal and Vale trained for the CFD together and worked side by side for years before Pascal relocated to Miami with his late wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland).
Pascal operated within Miami’s Fire Department for 10 years until tension at work — as well as some implied undesired entanglements with some sketchy colleagues — eventually led Monica to flee Miami and return to Chicago. Despite their brief separation, Pascal followed Monica to Chicago in hopes of repairing their marriage.
Monica welcomed Pascal back with open arms, but it was soon revealed that Vale had connected with Monica during their separation. Once Pascal realized Vale had not only contacted his wife but also made a move on her, he visited Vale’s house to deliver him a sucker punch and stiff warning to back off.
Find out how else Vale stirs the pot by watching Chicago Fire Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
