Sadly, Chicago Fire is losing two important characters, and there are only so many ways they can leave the show. Per Deadline, the NBC procedural drama is booting Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) from the cast after season 13. So, if and when NBC renews Chicago Fire for season 14, Firehouse 51 will be down two firefighters, and fans will have to say goodbye to them during the season 13 finale, “It Had to End This Way.”
Kyri joined the recurring cast in season 7, and Ritter soon became a fan-favorite Chicago Fire character. He was promoted to series regular in season 9, and it seemed like Ritter would be a mainstay on the show for a long time. Unfortunately, Ritter has often been pushed to the background, and now, he’s leaving. Meanwhile, Lockett’s Carver was introduced in season 11 as a recurring character but became a series regular at the beginning of season 13. Like Ritter, Carver (and his will-they/won’t-they relationship with Violet) has become a favorite among viewers, making his exit all the more disappointing.
Carver Returns To Texas
One of the most probable options for Carver’s exit in the Chicago Fire season 13 finale is him moving back to Texas. Carver has already taken a couple of leaves of absence from Firehouse 51 to return home. So, it wouldn’t be too surprising if he decided to move there permanently.
Carver has struggled in Chicago Fire season 13, to say the least. During the premiere, he returned from Texas with his toxic ex-girlfriend, and he then fell back into addiction when she left him. Carver begins depending on alcohol, which affects his work, resulting in him needing to seek help to ensure his stability and reliability. Thankfully, Carver has seemed recovered, but perhaps all the low points he experienced in Chicago Fire season 13 persuaded him to move back home in the finale.
Ritter Reconnects With Dwayne & Moves Out Of Chicago
One of Ritter’s only storylines as of late has revolved around his relationship with Dwayne, and the two broke up in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 12. While Dwayne was ready to build a future with the firefighter, Ritter wasn’t. He declined Dwayne’s proposal that they move in together, and he couldn’t answer when asked where he saw them in five years. Consequently, Dwayne left Ritter. However, with Ritter leaving the procedural drama, perhaps this gives the Chicago Fire season 13 couple the chance to reunite and start anew in a different city, giving Ritter the happy ending he deserves.
Carver Dies In A Fire
One of the more tragic ways for Carver to depart Chicago Fire is via a coffin. As fans have learned over the show’s 13 seasons, the NBC procedural drama doesn’t shy away from killing off important characters. Shay died at the end of season 2, and Otis passed away during the season 8 premiere.
Given how much Chicago Fire has put Carver through, it wouldn’t be surprising if he joined the series’ long list of dead characters in the season 13 finale. The writers could easily devise an accident during a fire that proves to be lethal for Carver. The only counterpoint to this theory is that Violet has already lost a love interest this way. It would simply be cruel of the writers to put her through it again.
Ritter Gets A Promotion That Sends Him To A Different City
On a happier note, Ritter could leave Chicago Fire because of a new opportunity. He might get offered a better job in a different city during the season 13 finale, prompting him to say goodbye to his Firehouse 51 family. This would still be devastating, of course, but Ritter leaving of his own accord is much better than the alternative.
