The Wait Is Over: NBC Unveils the Chicago Fire Season 14 Cast — But One Name’s Gone, and Fans Are Losing It arrow_forward_iosĐọc thêm
The sirens are blaring again at Firehouse 51, but the family inside looks very different this year. NBC has officially unveiled the main cast list for Chicago Fire Season 14, confirming the return of some beloved veterans — and revealing the painful absence of several fan favorites.
While longtime leads Taylor Kinney (Lt. Kelly Severide) and Miranda Rae Mayo (Lt. Stella Kidd) anchor the series once again, the cast announcement confirms three heartbreaking exits that have left fans reeling: Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter), Jake Lockett (Sam Carver), and Michael Bradway (Jack Damon).
For a show that’s built its legacy on teamwork, loyalty, and found family, these losses hit hard — and fans are not taking it lightly.
The Shock of Three Major Exits
Firehouse 51 has seen its fair share of turnover, but Season 14 marks one of the most significant cast shakeups in the show’s history. With three key characters gone, the dynamic at 51 has changed overnight — and not everyone’s happy about it.
Darren Ritter: The Exit That Hurts the Most
Among the departures, none stings quite like Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter
Initially introduced in Season 7 for just a three-episode arc, Ritter quickly became one of the most beloved members of the ensemble. His warmth, humor, and quiet courage made him an irreplaceable part of Firehouse 51 — not to mention his importance as one of the few openly gay Black characters in the entire One Chicago universe.
His exit, confirmed to be driven by budget cuts rather than creative direction, feels especially painful to viewers who valued his visibility and representation.
Kyri returned briefly for the Season 14 premiere to give Ritter a heartfelt send-off — a storyline that saw him leave Chicago to care for his injured ex-boyfriend in New York. While emotionally satisfying, it still feels like a goodbye no one wanted.
“Ritter wasn’t just a firefighter — he was family,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Losing him feels like losing part of what made Chicago Fire special.”
Sam Carver: A Rushed Goodbye for a Rising Star
The second confirmed exit is Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) — another blow for fans who had just watched his character evolve into a layered and compelling part of the ensemble.