Chicago Fire has captivated audiences for over 10 years and inspired several spin-offs and related shows, including Chicago PD, Chicago Med. It also shares a universe with FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and, most recently, FBI: International.
Chicago Fire returns to screens sooner rather than later, the dramatic 11th season starting on September 21st. After the events of last season, fans are eagerly waiting to see their favorite firefighters return. It also has them reminiscing on the earlier days and how far each character has come in the past 10 seasons.
Randall “Mouch” McHolland
Mouch started as a seemingly forgettable background character given how many characters have been featured on the show throughout the years. However, at the end of season 5, he is trapped inside a burning factory after having a heart attack.
As a result, he changes his life. He changes his lifestyle and starts to treasure the smaller moments in life, even following his heart and marrying Trudy Platt. He’s the perfect example of an old dog learning new tricks.
Blake Gallo
Gallo starts out as an impulsive and borderline reckless firefighter who is trying to run from the pain and trauma of his past. Thanks to Casey’s training and guidance, Blake is able to face his childhood trauma of losing his family in a house fire and even gets his reckless nature under control.
He learns how to manage his expectations of his firefighter career, even though there are some moments where his frustration is clear, like losing a spot on the Rescue Truck. Gallo still has a long way to go, he’s had a good redemption arc so far.
Joe Cruz
Cruz grew up in a rough part of Chicago, surrounded by gang violence and gun crime. His brother ended up involved in gang life, something Joe eventually managed to pull him out of.
Similarly to Mouch, Cruz was a background player for most of the first few seasons. However, he retrains and becomes an integral part of Squad 3 after moving from Truck 81. He also goes through incredible growth after the death of his best friend, Otis. Joe is able to find happiness despite the grief in his life and currently has a son and foster son with his wife.
Brian “Otis” Zvonecek
Brian was better known as Otis to his crew, given his specialty in elevator rescues, Otis being the common brand name of elevators in the United States. Otis was a lackluster firefighter at first, according to his peers.
He struggled with the firefighter lifestyle, and as a result, he often felt underappreciated by his peers and friends. Eventually, Otis became the engineer of Truck 81, a testament to his hard work. Otis was killed in the line of duty after suffering life claiming injuries in a factory fire, something the firefighters of 51 are still reeling from.
Darren Ritter
Ritter has been through just about everything a firefighter probie can experience. He was kicked off his original Engine after freezing up on a tough call and decides to quit the fire department.
That is until Mouch steps in, and takes him under his wing, a testament to Mouch’s growth as well. Together, the two of them work on Ritter’s fears and skills, and he becomes an integral part of Truck 81, taking Otis’ place after he dies. Ritter also comes out to his fellow firefighters, another example of his character growth over the seasons.
Wallace Boden
As chief of the Firehouse, Boden has a tough image to maintain. Throughout the show, fans have watched as he’s become more than just a chief to his firefighters.
He starts off as a cold and cut-off chief with little involvement in his firefighters’ personal life. Over time, he becomes a father figure to many of them, even walking Stella Kidd down the aisle. Boden risks his life and career several times to save the 51 family.
Sylvie Brett
As a replacement for Leslie Shay, Brett had big boots to fill from the start. She eventually becomes the Paramedic in Charge after proving herself and her skills in the field, adding a much-needed medical element to the firefighter show.
Originally from a small town in Indiana, Brett struggles at first with the fast-paced nature of Chicago. After running away from a failed engagement in Indiana, Brett learns to love again, eventually ending up with Matt Casey. Their relationship is put to the test when he moves to Portland, but true to her growth, Brett is able to keep the relationship strong despite the long distance.
Matthew Casey
When Casey is first introduced, he’s struggling with the death of his best friend and fellow firefighter, Andy Darden. He’s also in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere and struggles to see his future.
Over the course of the seasons, he marries fellow firefighter Dawson, although the two end up divorcing later, and fosters a son with her briefly. By the end of the latest season, he leaves Chicago behind and moves to Portland to raise Andy Darden’s boys, who have been struggling since their dad’s death and their mother’s arrest. Casey was always a good character, but his willingness to give everything up to help those in need shows how much progress he’s made over the show.
Stella Kidd
Stella has been to hell and back, both personally and professionally. Her ex-husband was abusive, and she struggled to be taken seriously as a woman in the Chicago Fire Department.
Eventually, Stella follows her heart and pursues a relationship with fellow firefighter Kelly Severide, healing from her past relationship trauma. She starts a program for young women wanting to get into the CFD, appropriately named Girls On Fire. She also works her way up the ranks and becomes a Lieutenant in charge of Truck 81.
Kelly Severide
Known around the firehouse and the fire department as Chicago’s biggest “lady’s man,” Severide’s character arc is undoubtedly the best. Severide starts as a hot-headed and impulsive firefighter who constantly buts heads with those around him.
After the death of his best friend Leslie Shay, he starts to change his ways. Eventually, he becomes unrecognizable from his season 1 character. Currently, he’s married to fellow firefighter Stella Kidd after maintaining a steady relationship with her for years.
