Chicago Fire Season 14 Adds Brandon Larracuente to a Major Role
As fans process the departure of two key characters, Chicago Fire has announced major casting for the series ahead of season 14. Fans were shocked to learn just before the season ended that the Chicago Fire cast would be losing two prominent members. Even more shocking, the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale did nothing to set the stage for their departures.
Now, at least one spot on the Chicago Fire Season 14 cast list has been filled. According to Variety, Brandon Larracuente will join Firehouse 51 next season as a series regular. The actor most recently appeared in Dick Wolf’s On Call on Prime. Fans may also recognize his work on series like 13 Reasons Why and The Good Doctor.
What Brandon Larracuente’s Casting Means for Chicago Fire
While it’s sad to see Carver and Ritter leave Chicago Fire, Brandon Larracuente is a perfect addition to the network procedural. Almost all of Larracuente’s work demonstrates useful skills for an actor on One Chicago, including his experience playing a first responder in On Call.
Larracuente plays a rookie in On Call, as well as a resident in The Good Doctor. Depending on where his Chicago Fire story goes, the actor’s experience playing rookies in high-stress professional roles could be a great fit. But regardless of his new character’s professional expertise, Larracuente should be able to fully flesh out the emotional side of his role.
Interpersonal drama is a core component of the One Chicago universe, and Larracuente has had to tackle some dark themes in his previous work. Danny Perez from The Good Doctor and Sam Carver from Chicago Fire both have histories with addiction, making Larracuente an especially appealing replacement. And it’s arguably not the most emotional series Larracuente has worked on.
Sam Carver’s departure from Chicago Fire might lose some of its appeal if the series replaced him with another addict, but Larracuente also has experience with emotionally intense storylines on Party of Five and 13 Reasons Why. His episode count on Chicago Fire would be significantly higher, giving him a great opportunity to showcase his talents.
How We Feel About Brandon Larracuente Being Cast on Chicago Fire
It’s still uncertain how Chicago Fire’s season 14 departure will play out, but Larracuente’s new character could help build that bridge. His appearance at Firehouse 51 could lead to an explanation of who he’s replacing specifically, explaining why they left in the same scene. It’s important to respect Carver and Violet’s romance on Chicago Fire in the process.
That particular issue wouldn’t arise if Brandon Larracuente’s character was supposed to replace Ritter instead of Carver, but either way, it’s important not to make it feel like he’s just stepping into another character’s shoes. For the sake of Chicago Fire fans, care must be taken to ensure that Larracuente is truly a necessary addition, not just a replacement.
