Copy or Coincidence? Fans Spot Eerie Similarities Between Chicago Fire’s New Face and a Departed Favorite

Chicago Fire is losing a handful of cast members in season 14, but the show has already found one departed character’s replacement, and it’ll be as if they never left. NBC’s procedural drama is no stranger to cast exits throughout its run. Firehouse 51 is all but a revolving door of firefighters and paramedics, and three will be leaving the station soon.

Brandon Larracuente Joins The Cast Of Chicago Fire In Season 14

Larracuente Stars As Sal Vasquez

While three Chicago Fire characters are leaving the series, the One Chicago universe is welcoming someone new to the Firehouse 51 family. Brandon Larracuente is set to star as Sal Vasquez in Chicago Fire season 14. Vasquez is a new firefighter who will work under Stella Kidd’s command on Truck 81 in the upcoming episodes (and he’ll serve as the driver, replacing Carver).

Larracuente has experience working under the Wolf Entertainment umbrella, as he previously played Officer Alex Diaz in the cast of On Call. Some might also recognize the actor from his roles in Bloodline, 13 Reasons Why, or The Good Doctor. Now, Laarracuente is joining the Chicago Fire season 14 cast, and his character might seem familiar because he’s quite similar to Damon.

Sal Shares Many Things In Common With Damon

Damon Is Leaving Chicago Fire Ahead Of The Season 14 Premiere

Based on everything we know about him so far, Vasquez has many things in common with Damon, aka Kelly Severide’s half-brother, who’s leaving Chicago Fire before the season 14 premiere. Technically, Larracuente’s character is replacing Carver as Truck 81’s driver. However, personality-wise, Vasquez seems much more like Damon 2.0 than the second coming of Carver.

Like Damon, Vasquez will butt heads with his lieutenant in Chicago Fire. As many will recall, season 13 began with Damon disobeying Kidd’s orders and later getting fired for it. Meanwhile, Vasquez will frustrate Kidd in the upcoming episodes. In a Chicago Fire season 14 sneak peek, Miranda Rae Mayo teased that Kidd is “annoyed by the cockiness that [Vasquez] portrays.”

Vasquez also sounds like he has a bit of a reckless streak, just like Damon. Additionally, the new firefighter will form a connection with Lizzie Novak, who had a fling with Damon in season 13, and his family is full of first responders, similar to Damon. Essentially, Chicago Fire appears to be using Damon as inspiration for Vasquez in season 14.

Chicago Fire season 14 premieres on Wednesday, October 1, at 9 pm ET on NBC.