Things will never be the same with Chicago Fire, as the long-running series has reached the end of an era. It’s been revealed that longtime cast member Eamonn Walker is stepping down as a series regular with the series after a 12-season run.
Per Deadline, Eamonn Walker, who plays Wallace Boden in Chicago Fire, is set to step back from serving as a series regular for the show. Reportedly, Walker made the decision on his own accord. Boden is also expected to continue making appearances in a recurring capacity, so he won’t be gone completely, but the character will no longer be one of the major players on the series with the role significantly reduced.
While it remains to be seen how Boden has his presence diminished, more should be known after the airing of the Season 12 finale. Titled “Never Say Goodbye,” the episode will air on May 22. Walker’s Boden is set to return for the finale to properly write off his character following a leave of absence that left Taylor Kinney’s Severide in charge. The logline for the finale episode reads, “Boden makes a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner. A tense call brings up painful memories for Carver [Jake Lockett] and Damon [Michael Bradway]. Mouch [Christian Stolte] struggles to adjust to the new Truck.”
Boden is one of Walker’s most well-known roles, especially after spending more than a decade playing the character on broadcast television. Walker is also known for playing Kareem Said in HBO’s acclaimed prison drama series Oz. With his role in Chicago Fire, Walker has also made appearances in the connected shows Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med.
Chicago Fire Gets Multiple Casting Shakeups
Several other cast members have also left Chicago Fire. Alberto Rosende left his role as Blake Gallo at the start of the season, which ended a four-season run. This was followed by Kara Killmer leaving the show as her character, Sylvie Brett, left Illinois for Oregon. In another casting shake-up, actor Rome Flynn also left after just six episodes. Conversely, Taylor Kinney returned to the show after a previous exit. Walker stepping down will make Kinney the longest-appearing cast member.
Past episodes of Chicago Fire are streaming on Peacock. As for the finale episode to feature Eamonn Walker’s last episode as a series regular, which will air on NBC on May 22.
