The Chicago Fire season 13 finale left viewers confused about what comes next for Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver, but one of his costars might have accidentally spoiled his fate in season 14. NBC’s procedural drama (and its spinoffs) has featured many cast exits over the course of its 13 seasons. Unfortunately, it appears that One Chicago‘s list of departing actors will likely grow heading into the 2025–2026 network TV season, thanks to the unavoidable cast cuts on Chicago Fire, which might include Lockett.
Although NBC made fans believe that two Chicago Fire main characters (including Carver) would leave after season 13, the finale implied otherwise. Carver initially told Violet Mikami that he had requested a transfer to Denver during the episode. It seemed like the series was setting up his exit. However, the Chicago Fire season 13 finale ended with Carver declaring his love for Violet and kissing her, suggesting that he would stay in the Windy City for her. Consequently, the audience was confused about Carver’s future on the show, but recent comments from one star might have sealed his fate.
Jocelyn Hudon May Have Accidentally Spoiled Carver’s Chicago Fire Season 14 Fate
Hudon Confirmed That Carver Is Leaving
During an interview with TV Insider following the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, Jocelyn Hudon, who plays Lizzie Novak, discussed her character’s stance on Violet and Carver’s complex relationship. Novak and Violet are not only paramedic partners, but they have also become best friends in the NBC show. So, Novak’s thoughts on her friend’s love life hold a lot of weight. Sadly, Hudon’s comments on the Violet/Carver situation seemingly confirm that Carver is saying goodbye to Firehouse 51 in season 14. Hudon said:
“Yeah, I don’t know what’s going to happen when [Carver] leaves, but I think Novak’s entire goal was just to support Violet no matter what. If she wants to date the other guy [Steven Strait’s Flynn], great. If she wants to be with Carver, great. I think you just got to get it out, say it, own it. Just give him the letter that you wrote for him, let him know how you feel. And once everything’s on the table, then whatever’s meant to be, will be. So I think no matter which way Violet goes, Novak just wants to truly support her.”
The most interesting part of Hudon’s quote is that she says “when [Carver] leaves” instead of “if” he leaves. So, despite the ambiguity of Carver’s Chicago Fire season 13 ending, he is probably exiting the One Chicago universe, after all. Some fans, like myself, were holding out hope that Lockett could return in a recurring role in season 14, seeing as the news surrounding his departure just said he would no longer be a series regular. But that doesn’t appear to be the case. The (semi) good news is that Novak will be around to support Violet through this latest heartbreak.
A couple of weeks before NBC released the finale, it was announced that Jake Lockett and Daniel Kyri would be leaving Chicago Fire after season 13. The reports revealed that they would no longer be series regulars, due to budget cuts. NBC has been trying to save money in whatever way it can. Unfortunately, Lockett and Kyri were victims of these cost concerns. So, even though Carver’s happy ending in the season 13 finale might have given some hope that he would return in season 14, his exit was inevitable.
