For all of the success of Chicago PD and Chicago Med, none of that would be possible without Chicago Fire, the original series in the “Chicago” shared television universe of NBC dramas. Firehouse 51 has seen their fair share of good and bad firefighters come through the doors, and while some have left a lasting impression, there are others who should have immediately gone right back out through those same doors.
With a huge cast of characters at their disposal, the writers have done a great job with backstories and character-driven story lines over eight seasons. Every member of Firehouse 51 is unique with their own set of charms, faults, and quirks, which inevitably means that some will click with viewers— and others most definitely will not.
Gabriela Dawson
Although Gabby has been off the show as a regular for two seasons, her presence is still felt. She started out as the woman in love with Matt who waited her turn— and when she got it, viewers cheered for their union. But then the “real” Gabby showed her true face.
Gabby is headstrong to a fault. She didn’t listen when others would tell her the negative consequences of her actions, and the previous love viewers had for her came to an end when she walked away from Matt for good and showed how selfish she really was.
Sylvie Brett
Sylvie Brett was once the new girl who had trouble finding her way. Now she’s a vet helping others in the same situation. Brett has a heart of gold filled with good intentions, and she loves deeply which at times puts her in situations others would have avoided.
A small-town girl living in the big city of Chicago, Brett at times can still be a bit indecisive which makes her a frustrating character to watch. If she’d learn to make up her mind, her likability would increase significantly.
Joe Cruz
It’s hard not to root for Joe Cruz. Viewers felt his pain as he dealt with the issue of getting his brother out of the gang life. Cruz had been pretty unlucky in relationships for a time, but with a new wife at his side, he may get a new lease on life.
Cruz can often go off the rails and wears his emotions on his sleeve. But when the chips are down, Cruz will do whatever he has to do in order to put the comfort and safety of others above his own.
Stella Kidd
Early on, Stella appeared to be nothing but trouble for Kelly Severide. Stella brought a lot of baggage to their new relationship, and a jealous ex-husband almost took their lives. However, Stella’s character should not be defined by solely by those things.
Now, Stella is one of the best at Firehouse 51. She could very well be on her way to becoming a top-ranking official of the Chicago Fire Department as she’s tough, smart, and determined. She does have a little jealous streak, but she will put it all on the line for her friends and loved ones.
Kelly Severide
Kelly Severide is the token heartthrob of Chicago Fire. He’s a leader but does have his own demons to deal with. The death of his father still haunts him and his desire to live up to the expectations of others has proven to be a lingering issue. That said, he’s dedicated to Firehouse 51 no matter the other opportunities that come his way.
Severide has been a solid character overall, but his fan favorite status was solidified by how he dealt with Anna, deciding to give up a piece of himself to save her life.
Wallace Boden
Wallace Boden is the leader of Firehouse 51 and has the tough job of providing both discipline and encouragement. Boden is solid all the way around as he’s shown a willingness to put his own career on the line for his firefighters.
Wallace is a great leader, father, husband, and friend. Viewers have sung the praises of Boden since the beginning of the series. There is no mistaking who runs Firehouse 51 even when outside forces have tried to drive a wedge between Boden and his crew.
Matt Casey
Positioned as the main lead character on Chicago Fire, Matt gets sympathy from the viewers due to the many personal tragedies he’s had to endure— the death of a girlfriend, the loss of a son he wanted to adopt, the murder of his father by his mother, and his failed marriage to Gabby.
Matt wants to do the right things but at times goes a bit overboard and makes things worse, though it’s typically a consequence of his heart being in the right place. His main drawback is that he often brings his personal life to work which is not what a good a leader is supposed to do.
Randy “Mouch” McHolland
The elder statesmen of Firehouse 51, Mouch has everyone’s best interest at heart, trying to see to everyone’s happiness and pushing them to be their best. His endearing marriage to Trudy from Chicago PD only puts him further up the pedestal.
Mouch has been going back and forth regarding retirement over the years but he’s still going strong, which fans of the show are okay with as his departure would be a major loss to the ensemble as a whole.
Otis
Of all the deaths on Chicago Fire, the loss of Otis hit viewers the hardest. Otis went through a lot before his demise which made him a fan favorite, including his bond with his best friend Joe serving as a strong catalyst for the show. From being overlooked to becoming a hero, Otis was solid all the way around.
Though he was prone to worrying too much, all Otis wanted to do was learn to be the best firefighter he could. Before his death, Otis finally found love and also opened up a second location of his bar, Molly’s.
Christopher Herrmann
Christopher Herrmann is like an uncle that will do anything to make sure you’re okay. He has a way about him that makes those around him believe they can accomplish anything. He’s been passed up for promotions despite being treated as a primary candidate, but he always takes it with class and professionalism.
Herrmann provides the comic relief in a profession that needs it sometimes for the sanity of the rest of the crew. He’s the perfect family man, a devoted husband, and is well-deserving of all the screen time he gets.
