Season 13 of Chicago Fire has brought some big changes, with Firehouse 51 now under the leadership of Chief Dom Pascal, played by newcomer Dermot Mulroney. For the first time, Firehouse 51 is without its longtime Chief Wallace Boden, portrayed by Eamonn Walker. Fans expected a shake-up, but Pascal’s presence is already sparking more tension than anticipated, and recent insights from Mulroney reveal that he might be sticking around longer than fans expected.
Initially, viewers thought that Pascal might be a temporary chief until Herrmann was promoted, especially since Boden himself had hinted that Herrmann would be his preferred successor. This situation was similar to Season 10 when Brett Dalton’s Lt. Pelham briefly held a spot on Truck until Stella Kidd was ready to step into her lieutenant role. However, Mulroney’s recent comments suggest that Chief Pascal is here to stay for a while, potentially complicating Herrmann’s career path. In an interview with TV Insider, Mulroney confirmed that Pascal views his role as permanent, noting: “I don’t feel like he’s going anywhere. So the writers are going to have to figure that out.”
Showrunner Andrea Newman described Pascal’s arrival as an “earthquake” for Firehouse 51, underscoring the depth of the disruption he brings. He has already stirred things up by challenging Stella Kidd about her leadership on Truck and raising concerns about her marriage to fellow firefighter Kelly Severide, adding pressure to an already complex relationship. For a team so accustomed to Boden’s supportive style, Pascal’s approach has definitely unsettled things.
With Herrmann’s ambitions for the chief role and Pascal’s firm grip on the position, fans are left to wonder if Boden will return to Firehouse 51 this season, even if only temporarily. Eamonn Walker may not be a series regular anymore, but the show left the door open for his character to make a cameo. If Boden does make an appearance, it could heighten the tension between Herrmann and Pascal, and perhaps even bring some clarity to who should be leading Firehouse 51.
Whether Pascal is here for a season or the long haul, his presence has certainly shaken things up. As fans adjust to life without Boden in charge, Pascal’s unconventional style is keeping things interesting. New episodes of Chicago Fire air on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, and previous seasons are available on Peacock.
