Chicago Fire is the first installment of the Chicago Franchise and one of Dick Wolf’s most successful series. The show follows the lives of Chicago firefighters and paramedics at the fictional Firehouse 51. The popular series was recently renewed for a 13th season. The key detail in keeping such a long-running procedural series fresh is the characters.
David Eigenberg smiles as Christopher Herrmann on Chicago Fire
Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann is a veteran at Firehouse 51. He is one of the longest-running characters on Chicago Fire and one of the most dynamic characters overall. In addition to being a firefighter, he was the driving force behind members of Firehouse 51 buying Molly’s Bar.
Lieutenant Herrmann is a mentor figure to several of the younger firefighters at his firehouse. He has stated several times that he feels it is his responsibility as an older firefighter to dole out advice to the next generation. This is evidenced by the hard advice he gave Ritter in Season 8, Episode 1, “Sacred Ground,” about following orders in the field. Herrmann proves time and time again throughout Chicago Fire that he is one of the best educational supports for young firefighters.
Kelly Severide made waves right from the moment he was introduced as a main character in the pilot episode of Chicago Fire. Severide is a character-driven by emotion. Emotionally, he burns as hot as the fires he fights and is just as hard to extinguish.
When Kelly Severide comes across situations of injustice in the field or in his personal life, he leaps at the chance to make it right. This is seen when he zealously hunts down a serial arsonist targeting his firehouse, culminating in Season 2, Episode 4, “A Nuisance Call.” Kelly’s passion has resulted in mistakes both personally and professionally. However, his raw emotional nature makes him incredibly compelling and one of the series’ best characters.
Chicago Fire Cast and Character Guide
Chicago Fire has proven after over ten Seasons that it can balance drama between a huge case. But who are some of these now iconic faces?
Matthew ‘Matt’ Casey had one of the longest runs on Chicago Fire, appearing in the pilot all the way until Season 10. Casey is known for his level head in the face of danger and is widely regarded as an extremely competent leader. Casey’s best quality is his composure, which makes him a skilled firefighter and an even better leader.
As a Lieutenant and later a Captain, Casey had a lot of responsibility constantly on his shoulders. In order to ensure the safety of his people, Casey can’t afford to lose his cool. His sense of this responsibility is apparent when he weighs the consequences but decides to fight for risk-taker Blake Gallo to join his squad in Season 8, Episode 2, “A Real Shot In The Arm.” Casey’s level-headedness and composure in the face of adversity make him one of the best characters in the series.
There is no doubt that Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden Jr. is the best character in the series due to his protective nature over the firefighters and paramedics under his command. Boden has fought tooth and nail to protect his people, both at fires and politically, on numerous occasions. Outside of his role, he still is a protective figure and is always there for anyone in need.
Chief Boden has been with the Chicago Fire Department for over 30 years and clearly views his occupation as more of a calling than a job. This calling contributes to his passionate leadership skills that lead his firefighters and paramedics to hold him in incredibly high esteem. So much so that he was asked to walk Lieutenant Stella Kidd down the aisle in Season 10, Episode 22, “The Magnificent City of Chicago.” Chief Boden’s protective nature allows his people to flourish and thrive in a safe environment under him, making him the best character in Chicago Fire.
