Firehouse 51 is losing one of its own (in real life). Original cast member Eamonn Walker is leaving Chicago Fire after 12 seasons. Read on to learn everything to know about his upcoming exit, including when Boden’s last episode will be.
Walker has portrayed Wallace Boden, the beloved fire chief, since Chicago Fire premiered in 2012. Boden started as Battalion Chief of Battalion 25 before being promoted to Deputy District Chief in Season 10. Now, he’s competing for the role of Deputy Fire Commissioner with Chief Robinson (Laura Allen).
On May 7, Deadline reported that the 61-year-old British actor is stepping away from the long-running firefighter drama. A source told the site that Boden’s character “is still very much alive and well” and Walker “is expected to return to the show in a recurring capacity in the future.”
In Season 12, Episode 9 (“Something About Her”), Boden took a leave of absence from Firehouse 51 to support his stepson, James, who was trying to sort out the mess following his mother’s imprisonment. At the time, it was was unknown how long Boden’s hiatus would last — and now it might have something to do with Walker’s future exit.
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Walker’s character will return for the Season 12 finale, “Never Say Goodbye,” airing on May 22, 2024. The logline for the final episode reads, “Boden makes a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner. A tense call brings up painful memories for Carver [Jake Lockett] and Damon [Michael Bradway]. Mouch [Christian Stolte] struggles to adjust to the new Truck.”
The news of Walker’s exit comes after a few cast changes have impacted Chicago Fire this season. Kara Killmer left her role as Sylvie Brett in episode 6 with a celebratory wedding to Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer). Alberto Rosende’s character, Blake Gallo, also said goodbye to his character and the show in the Season 12 premiere. Taylor Kinney took a sudden leave of absence last year, and his character Severide missed a few episodes in Season 12.
After Walker exits, there will be four original firefighters remaining on the Dick Wolf procedural, including Kinney, David Eigenberg, Joe Minoso, and Christian Stolte.
