Details Reveals ‘Chicago Fire’s New Character Is a Severide Replacement

Even with several characters leaving Firehouse 51 in the upcoming season of Chicago Fire, the firehouse will see some new faces. Chief among them is Brandon Larracuente‘s Sal Vasquez, who joins the firehouse in Season 14. Details about the character are slowly trickling in, and it looks like the firehouse will be dealing with a younger version of Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). The character shares a lot with the firehouse vet but also borrows a little from some other characters. Showrunner Andrea Nemwan previewed the upcoming season in a new interview. “I can say there’s a huge shake-up in the very first episode that portends the big drama to come in Season 14,” she teased. Newman also revealed some new details about the character, saying,

“The charming Sal Vasquez is the new addition to 51, and, like Severide, this character is rich with family history in the first responder world, much of it buried. But not for long. Vasquez will prove a real challenge to Kidd, his new lieutenant, as well as to Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) as she tries to get to know this seemingly unknowable guy.”

Based on her comments, it sounds like Vasquez will be a mix of everyone, but will have huge similarities with Severide. They both have deep ties to the first responder world and that comes with its own share of secrets. He also sounds like he’s going to be a bit of a personality, just like Severide, Carver (Jake Lockett), and Damon (Michael Bradway) recently. Kidd will have her hands busy, and it looks like Novak has her eyes on a new guy.

Who’s Leaving ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 14?

Thus far, three cast members have been confirmed to be exiting in the upcoming season. Lockett, Bradway, and Daniel Kyri will leave sometime in the season, but it’s unclear when. “We love these actors, we love these characters, and we’d love to play with them more and give them big exits and maybe have them around more than you expect for at least part of the season,” Newman said ahead of Season 13’s finale. The finale hinted at one exit but more could be on the horizon. “It’s so in the zeitgeist, people coming in and gutting departments and gutting places, it’s very real to the CFD. They’ve done that, too. And so, that is definitely happening next season,” the showrunner previously said, hinting at even more departures.

What kind of trouble does Vasquez bring, and how will that affect the firehouse? Catch Chicago Fire Season 14 on NBC this Fall beginning October 1.