The new firefighter has big shoes to fill but the show needs them filled.
Chicago Fire has had a difficult time finding a successor for Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer). To be fair, we understand. Casey is one of the most beloved characters in the show’s history, and his by the book approach served as the perfect compliment to the rebelliousness of Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). There’s a reason these two held down for the show for a decade straight.
While Severide is still around (albeit, in a lesser capacity), the show has clearly been trying to find a firefighter that can fill Casey’s sizable shoes. It seemed as though Chicago Fire was onto something with Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende), so much so that the character was appointed the new “old guard” by Casey, but he left at the beginning of season 12.
Chicago Fire has struggled to replace Casey
Chicago Fire – Season 9
CHICAGO FIRE — “Escape Route” Episode 908 — Pictured: Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey — (Photo by: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC)
His replacement, Derrick Gibson (Rome Flynn), left after only six episodes. Neither of these men were carbon copies of Casey (and it’s worth noting that Gallo worked alongside Casey for most of his time on the show), but there was a sense that they were auditioning to become the next generation of lead firefighter.
Enter Jack Damon. The character has not yet made his Chicago Fire debut (that’ll happen when the show returns on May 1), but Deadline has already stated that there are plans to up the character from recurring to series regular in season 13. The clear hope on the part of the producers and writers is that Damon clicks with audiences, and provides some stability to the 51 roster.
Jack Damon is posed as the best candidate yet
Chicago Fire recently introduced a replacement for Casey’s wife, Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), in the form of Lyla Novak (Joceyln Hudon), so the show is undoubtedly in rebuild mode. We know nothing about Damon as a character, and the actor who’s been tasked with playing him, Michael Bradway, has never acted on television before.
It’s an exciting proposition to have a new candidate for “new Casey,” and the fact that we know so little about the character and the actor playing him only adds to the intrigue. We’re ready to see what the new wave of 51 members looks like, and we get the feeling it’s going to start on May 1.
