How & Why Boden Left Firehouse 51 In Chicago Fire Season 12’s Finale
Boden Accepted The Deputy Commissioner JobA couple of weeks before the Chicago Fire season 12 finale, news broke that Eamonn Walker would exit his role as Wallace Boden during the season’s last episode. Of course, the reports of his departure were shocking, given Walker’s veteran status on the NBC procedural drama, but season 12’s ending featured a reasonable explanation for his character’s exit. Chief Boden (who will no longer be called “Chief” going forward), returned to Chicago during the season 12 finale and announced he would be adding his name to the list of candidates in the running for the Chicago Fire Department’s Deputy Commissioner.
Walker’s last scene was undoubtedly a tearjerker as several firefighters (like Stella, Severide, and Cruz) thanked Boden for everything he had done for them to make Firehouse 51 feel like a home and a family.
Of course, Boden was offered the prestigious position (partly due to Stella Kidd’s recommendation) and accepted. As a result, the entire Firehouse 51 squad gathered toward the end of the hour to bid farewell to their chief. Walker’s last scene was undoubtedly a tearjerker as several firefighters (like Stella, Severide, and Cruz) thanked Boden for everything he had done for them to make Firehouse 51 feel like a home and a family. However, the good news is that the Chicago Fire season 12 finale won’t be the last time the audience sees Boden.
Boden’s Replacement As Chief In Chicago Fire Season 13 Explained
The Season 13 Premiere Introduces Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal
Since Boden is leading the entire Chicago Fire Department following his surprising Chicago Fire season 12 exit, someone has to replace him as Firehouse 51’s chief. Boden pulled Herrmann into his office during his last episode and told the veteran firefighter that he wanted him to assume his position if Boden got the CFD Deputy Commissioner position (which he did). However, Herrmann isn’t Boden’s successor, Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal is.
Pascal served as a fire chief in Miami for 10 years before joining Firehouse 51, but he is originally from Chicago and started his career in the Windy City.
NBC cast Mulroney to play Boden’s replacement in Chicago Fire season 13. Mulroney is a veteran actor, best known for his roles in My Best Friend’s Wedding, About Schmidt, and Scream VI. Plus, Pascal is a mysterious character who is nothing like Boden and enacts changes to Firehouse 51, which makes for interesting new dynamics. Pascal served as a fire chief in Miami for 10 years before joining Firehouse 51, but he is originally from Chicago and started his career in the Windy City. As for his personal life, Pascal’s relationship with his wife is estranged.
Will Eamonn Walker Return As Boden In Chicago Fire Season 13?
The Actor Reprises His Role In Season 13Although Boden will no longer be seen working with the firefighters of Firehouse 51 on a regular basis, Eamonn Walker returns in Chicago Fire season 13. According to Deadline, Walker will assume a recurring role (instead of his status as a series regular for the first 12 seasons). It’s unclear how frequent Boden’s appearances in the episodes will be, or when fans can expect to see the character again. But, at the very least, it’s comforting to know that Walker will reprise his role as Boden in season 13.Since the Chicago Fire season 12 finale didn’t kill Boden off and, instead, had him promoted within the CFD, his return is quite manageable. It wouldn’t be strange for the main characters to cross paths with Boden (especially Severide), even after he left Firehouse 51, due to his status as the Deputy Commissioner of the CFD. Ultimately, Walker did unexpectedly leave Chicago Fire after 12 seasons, but only as a series regular, so, viewers can rest easy knowing they will see Boden on their screens again in season 13.
