Chicago Fire Cast Shakeup: Fan-Favorite Stars Out, New Faces In for Season 13

Firehouse 51 is bracing for one of its biggest shake-ups yet as Chicago Fire heads into Season 14, and fans are already buzzing about who’s in, who’s out and what it all means for the NBC drama’s fall return. NBC insiders confirm that Michael Bradway—introduced last season as Kelly Severide’s half-brother Jack Damon—will not be back when new episodes roll cameras. Bradway has boarded Prime Video’s Every Summer After, forcing his firefighter gear back into storage for now. His exit follows two previously announced departures: Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter), both of whom wrapped up their Firehouse 51 arcs in the Season 13 finale. Amid the roster churn, executive producer Dick Wolf is adding fresh blood. Brandon Larracuente (Party of Five, On Call) has signed on as a new series regular whose yet-to-be-named firefighter is expected to rattle the established hierarchy at 51—especially with veterans still reeling from so many good-byes. Sources close to the show say budget tightening across broadcast dramas helped drive some of the exits, but creative considerations also played a part. “We wanted Season 14 to feel like a fresh chapter,” notes one production insider, hinting that Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) will be key to integrating the newcomer while coping with Damon’s absence. Who’s still suiting up? Eight core cast members—including Kinney, Mayo, Hanako Greensmith (Violet), Christian Stolte (Mouch), Joe Minoso (Cruz) and David Eigenberg (Herrmann)—are all expected to return, giving longtime viewers plenty of familiar faces to root for even as storylines pivot. The door also remains open for Bradway to reprise Jack Damon on a guest basis if scheduling allows, so fans shouldn’t count out a future family reunion. Narratively, the new season will pick up after the promotion of Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) to Deputy Commissioner and the emotional fallout of Brettsey’s wedding send-off earlier this year. Showrunners reportedly want the early episodes to explore leadership gaps on Truck 81 and Rescue Squad 3 while spotlighting Larracuente’s mysterious recruit, whose backstory is said to tie into a historic Chicago blaze. For viewers, the takeaway is clear: Chicago Fire Season 14 promises fresh dynamics, high-stakes emergencies and the type of character drama that has kept the series a Wednesday-night staple for more than a decade. But with three fan-favorite exits and a brand-new hero entering the fray, the only constant at Firehouse 51 is change—so buckle up, Chi-Hards, the alarms are already ringing.