Steven R. McQueen’s exit from Chicago Fire—and the departure of his character, Jimmy Borrelli—was driven by a creative storytelling decision, not by behind-the-scenes drama or a request from the actor himself. While the moment stunned viewers, it aligned closely with the show’s commitment to realism and emotional consequence.
Jimmy Borrelli was written as a talented but impulsive firefighter, someone whose desire to prove himself often outweighed his caution. That defining trait ultimately became the centerpiece of his storyline. During a dangerous warehouse fire, Jimmy disobeyed a direct order and rushed into a collapsing building, an action that resulted in severe injuries.
The accident left Jimmy permanently paralyzed, ending his career as a firefighter and forcing him to leave Firehouse 51. Rather than killing the character, the writers chose a more sobering outcome—one that reflected the real-life risks firefighters face and the long-term consequences of a single decision made under pressure.
Steven R. McQueen later indicated that he did not choose to leave the series and would have been open to continuing. However, Chicago Fire has always been known for making bold narrative choices to maintain emotional authenticity, even when it means saying goodbye to well-liked characters.
Jimmy’s exit also had a ripple effect on the rest of the cast. His injury deeply impacted his brother Danny Borrelli and weighed heavily on Chief Boden, reinforcing the show’s central theme that leadership decisions—and disobedience—can carry devastating consequences.
Ultimately, Jimmy Borrelli left Chicago Fire because the writers wanted to tell a powerful cautionary story about accountability, recklessness, and the human cost of the job. Though Steven R. McQueen’s run on the show was relatively brief, his character’s tragic arc remains one of the series’ most memorable and emotionally impactful storylines.
