There are a few new faces blowing into the Windy City at the start of Chicago Fire season 13 — and Us Weekly has your guide to all the show’s changes.
When Chicago Fire picks up in September, viewers will recognize most of the firefighters at Firehouse 51 including Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), his wife, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), Randall McHolland (Christian Stolte) and Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso). Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) are also set to return in a full-time capacity.
The squad, however, will have a new leader after Eamonn Walker’s departure as Chief Wallace Boden at the end of season 12. News broke in May that Walker was stepping down as a series regular for season 13, but he hasn’t ruled out making guest appearances.
Wallace’s exit came after Kara Killmer left the series in February. The actress played paramedic Sylvie Brett for almost 10 full seasons. Rome Flynn, who played Jake Gibson for six episodes, also left the show during season 12 as did Alberto Rosende, who portrayed Blake Gallo starting in season 8.
Scroll down to learn more about Chicago Fire season 13:
How Did ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 12 End?
During the May finale, Boden decided to run for Deputy Commissioner, knowing if he won he’d have to leave his Firehouse 51 family behind. He ultimately beat Chief Robinson (Laura Allen) and bid farewell to his crew, reminding them he wouldn’t be gone for good. Before he left, Boden told Hermann (Eigenberg) he wanted him to be his replacement — after he became a captain and passed the Battalion chief exam.
Severide, for his part, revealed in the episode that he wants to start a family with Stella, who appeared to be surprised by the statement. In other Severide news, season 13 newbie Jack Damon (Michael Bradway), dropped a bombshell when he confessed that he is Severide’s brother a.k.a. they are both Benny Severide (the late Treat Williams) kids.
Who Is Replacing Chief Boden?
Us confirmed in July that Dermot Mulroney will be filling Boden’s shoes as the new Firehouse 51 chief. Little is known about Chief Dom Pascal (Mulroney) except that he “began his career with the CFD but spent the last decade as a chief in Sunny Miami.”
When it comes to firefighter TV shows, there are plenty for fans to choose from — including Chicago Fire, Fire Country and 9-1-1. Dick Wolf’s Chicago Fire premiered in 2012 and gave life to the One Chicago universe with spinoffs Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med. “The challenge always is that we reflect and we edify […]
The new character is described as a “cheerful person who works well under pressure, and whose leadership style differs” from Boden. Pascal is also estranged from his wife, while Boden was happily married while running the firehouse.
Lyla Novak Is Sticking Around
Jocelyn Hudon joined the cast during season 12, playing paramedic Lyla Novak in five episodes. Her fate was unclear at the end of the season as she toyed with the idea of continuing as a floater and not committing to Ambulance 61. TVLine reported in June that Hudon was upgraded to series regular for season 13.
Sam Carver Gets an Upgrade
After portraying Sam Carver for two seasons, actor Jake Lockett was promoted in August to a series regular, TVLine reported. When fans last saw Carver, confessed to paramedic Violet (Greensmith) that he was in love with her. After realizing that Carver’s feelings were real, Violet went to find him during the season 12 finale only to learn he’d taken a furlough from Truck 81.
Meet the New Chief’s Wife
After Mulroney was confirmed as the new chief, Dom Pascal, TVLine reported that KaDee Strickland was cast as his TV spouse, Monica Pascal. Strickland, who was previously on Private Practice, will have a recurring role for the upcoming season. As previously reported, Monica and Dom are estranged.
What’s Next for Violet and Carver?
(l-r) Jake Lockett as Sam Carver, Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami Peter Gordon/NBC
Greensmith exclusively told Us in September that Violet felt “guilt and regret” when Carver abruptly left Chicago after a tough season 12 call reminded him of his traumatic past. (Carver was triggered during the finale when a father seemingly burned his son at work. Carver was pushed into a bonfire by his brother when he was 9.)
“I think there’s a lot that she didn’t say that she wished she had,” Greensmith said of the TV couple, noting this season is a “bit of a dance” for Violet and Carver. They are both “finding their footing in new situations that both include and don’t include one another,” she added.
The actress teased, “[We are seeing] Violet walk into a very new energy in her life. She’s becoming more comfortable being PIC [paramedic in charge], comfortable being with Novak, comfortable learning how to navigate this new romantic terrain of her life and whether she will or won’t move on from not just Hawkins but Carver as well.”
How Will Damon’s Bombshell Affect Severide and Kidd?
“We see throughout the first few episodes of the season, Kelly kind of navigating this information,” Mayo exclusively told Us in September, referring to Severide’s brother, Damon, being part of their firehouse. “We see Kelly learn, but then he’s gotta tell Stella and it’s like, ‘How does she process and deal with the fact that this guy has not been honest consistently with her?’”
The actress noted that Damon, who joined Truck 81 during season 12, wasn’t honest about who he really was to her either, which will cause problems. “As an audience you can understand why [he kept the secret], but as someone who is leading a truck and leading a group in the circumstances and in the occupation that they do, like, trust is everything,” Mayo said. “And if she can’t trust you, she can’t have you on the team. So it’s this kind of back and forth of, like, how are we going to navigate this completely.”
Mayo teased that Damon’s story line as Severide’s secret brother is “juicy” and “so touchy.”
When Does Season 13 of ‘Chicago Fire’ Premiere?
Chicago Fire returns to NBC on Wednesday, September 25, at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can watch new episodes on Peacock the next day.
