Chicago Fire remains one of the most beloved shows in the One Chicago franchise. As the show gears up for Season 14, longtime fans are braced for changes in cast, character arcs, and broadcast scheduling. The Firehouse 51 crew is evolving, and viewers will see a combination of farewells, returns, and new beginnings. If you want to stay current on the plot shifts, who is leaving, who is coming back, and when the new episodes will air, here is everything you need to know.
What is new in Season 14
New Season 14 of Chicago Fire has been renewed by NBC as part of its fall 2025 lineup. It will return on Wednesday, October 1, airing at 9/8c on NBC in its usual One Chicago block between Chicago Med and Chicago P.D.
The season will have slightly fewer episodes than Season 13, reducing from 22 episodes to 21. Also, some principal actors will not appear in every episode this time around, a shift possibly driven by budget adjustments.
Casting changes and actor departures
Several beloved characters are exiting at the end of Season 13:
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Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) have been announced as leaving after Season 13, reportedly due to budget cuts.
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Michael Bradway (Jack Damon), introduced in Season 12, will not return in Season 14. He is moving to a new role in a Prime Video adaptation.
At the same time, some fans have cause for excitement: Daniel Kyri has teased a limited return as Darren Ritter, even though he was said to be exiting. So his character arc may not be completely closed.
Returning favorites
Though some stars are leaving or appearing less frequently, key leading cast have confirmed their return:
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Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide), Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), and Dermot Mulroney (Chief Dom Pascal) have all signed deals to return for Season 14.
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Eamonn Walker will also make a guest return as Wallace Boden in a special episode. His character had been promoted off the floor but remains deeply loved by viewers.
Broadcast schedule and streaming
The One Chicago lineup returns in fall 2025. Chicago Fire Season 14 will air on NBC every Wednesday, joining Chicago Med earlier at 8/7c and Chicago P.D. after at 10/9c.
For streaming viewers, episodes will be available next-day on Peacock.
Conclusion
Season 14 of Chicago Fire promises to be a season of transition. With several cast changes, fewer episodes, and strategic scheduling shifts, the show is balancing financial realities with storytelling ambitions. Even though some fan favorites are leaving, returns and new dynamics mean there are still reasons to be excited. For longtime followers, this could be among the more emotionally potent seasons yet. Stay tuned as the Firehouse 51 family adapts to its next chapter.
