As he takes the spotlight in his new sci-fi comedy Daddy, Yuriy Sardarov reminisced about his cherished time on Chicago Fire and sparked fan speculation over whether his character Otis might make an unexpected return to the firehouse.
In an interview with Screen Rant about his starring role in the thrilling new sci-fi dark comedy Daddy, Yuriy Sardarov reflected on his time working on Chicago Fire and weighed in on the possibility of a return to the series. Sardarov played Brian Zvonecek, the beloved fan-favorite affectionately known as Otis, for an impressive eight seasons. His tragic death in the season eight premiere, “Sacred Ground,” left fans heartbroken and remains one of the show’s most unforgettable moments.
When asked whether he would ever reprise his role as Otis on Chicago Fire in a flashback scene, or any other way, the actor said, “Oh, yeah! Oh my God. Look, that’s my family. We got so close on that set, and I just saw a bunch of them the other week. And I would do it in a heartbeat, just because I miss everybody, and I love everybody. It was just such a pleasant set to be on.”
I would do it in a heartbeat, just because I miss everbody, and I love everybody.
Not only is it exciting for fans of Sardarov and Chicago Fire to hear that he would enthusiastically return to the hit series, but it’s also heartwarming to learn that he and the cast remain so close—more than a decade after the show’s 2012 debut. He expanded on this by adding, “Everybody that comes onto that set, every actor that comes on goes, “Well, the rumors I’ve heard are true. This is the greatest cast that I’ve ever worked with.” And they continue to do that, and that’s why the show’s so successful. That’s why it goes on for so long. People want to be there.”
Although Sardarov has yet to film any new episodes of Chicago Fire since his character’s demise, Otis was last seen in flashbacks during season 9, using material from previously aired episodes. This may leave room for the possibility of his character making an expanded appearance in the future on the show, whether through more flashbacks or a special return. Lastly, Sardarov also shared “Chicago Fire, man, I miss those folks. I had such a great time filming it for nearly a decade of my life.”
What Else Has Sardarov Appeared in Since Chicago Fire?
After Sardarov’s role on Chicago Fire, the actor has remained active and will soon star as Sebastian in Daddy from Anchor Bay Entertainment. Set in a dystopian society where the state determines who is eligible to become a father, the film follows four men attending a retreat in the remote California mountains, hoping to demonstrate their readiness for parenthood. The film was written and directed by Neal Kelley and Jono Sherman. Daddy will soon have screenings at Michigan Theater – Ann Arbor MI and December 11: Gardena Theater – Gardena, CA. The film will also be released on VOD on February 25.
Chicago Fire returns on Jan. 8, 2025 on NBC.
