Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett will not return to NBC’s Chicago Fire if the show is renewed for a 14th season, sources tell Deadline. Kyri has been on the popular firefighting drama for seven seasons, Lockett for three.
The move comes amid rumors of cuts to the Wolf Entertainment NBC series ahead of a possible renewal for another season. In a bid to save money, the Chicago and Law & Order series two years ago reduced the number of episodes for most of its longtime cast members. It’s unclear whether this belt-tightening will involve further cuts to episodes, but it’s a possibility.
Sources say the departures of Kyri and Lockett are believed to be part of a budget-cutting effort for Chicago Fire, which is also in talks with several of the show’s veteran actors whose contracts are expiring. As casting deals are being renegotiated and renewal talks between NBC and production house Universal Television on five Wolf Entertainment series for the network continue, we’ve heard that more actors could be leaving all five shows.
Sources close to production say that filming on Chicago Fire is still ongoing, which means Darren and Sam could get a fitting end to their characters. After thirteen seasons, One Chicago remains one of NBC’s most successful scripted series on both linear and streaming.
Representatives for NBC, Universal Television, and Wolf Entertainment declined to comment.
Kyri joined Chicago Fire in Season 7 as Firefighter Darren Ritter in a recurring role before being promoted to the main cast two seasons later. Darren is well-liked and respected by his colleagues and has come a long way since his days as a firefighter candidate. The character’s recent focus has been on his love life, with Seasons 12 and 13 delving into his relationship with Officer Dwayne Monroe. The couple broke up because Darren wasn’t ready to move in with Dwayne.
Lockett has played Firefighter Sam Carver since Season 11. He also started on the show in a recurring role before being promoted to the main cast two seasons later. His storyline seemed to wane after his relationship with Violet ended, causing him to return to the destructive behavior he had worked so hard to improve. He also found himself in the arms of an ex-girlfriend, who, as a party girl, was probably not the best choice for a sober person to reconnect with. He eventually relapsed and entered a 12-step program and rehab. Since then, Sam has been working hard to make amends at the fire station and with Violet, who has rekindled their friendship.
