Dermot Mulroney Teases His ‘Chicago Fire’ Debut: Chief Dom Pascal Isn’t Anybody’s Friend
Chicago Fire fans are about to meet a very different kind of leader at Firehouse 51. Veteran actor Dermot Mulroney is stepping into the NBC drama as Chief Dom Pascal, the man tasked with filling the impossible shoes left by the beloved Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). And according to Mulroney, Pascal isn’t there to make friends — he’s there to lead.
“He’s not there to be anybody’s best friend,” Mulroney teased, hinting at a tougher, more abrasive dynamic for the crew as Season 14 begins.
A Harsh New Era for Firehouse 51
Boden’s leadership was built on loyalty, heart, and family — qualities that defined Firehouse 51 for over a decade. Pascal, on the other hand, brings a colder, more clinical brand of command.
Mulroney revealed that the writers are having “great fun” exploring Pascal’s strict, by-the-book personality. “He’s kind of a hardass,” the actor admitted. “He focuses on rules and efficiency over emotional connection.”
Coming from Miami and hand-picked by Boden himself, Pascal’s outsider status immediately puts him at odds with veterans like Severide, Kidd, and Herrmann, who are used to a more paternal leadership style. Without personal history or emotional leverage, Pascal must earn respect through authority alone — and that’s creating sparks.
The Mystery Behind the Man
Mulroney described Pascal as an enigmatic and unpredictable character. His past remains shadowy, and fans have only glimpsed hints of what drove him back from Miami. There’s a sense that his no-nonsense professionalism hides something deeper — perhaps guilt, grief, or unresolved trauma.
“He keeps kind of coming through for people a little bit, maybe behind the scenes,” Mulroney explained. “So, the viewers this season get the feeling that he’s a pretty good guy behind all that.”