Firehouse 51 is losing one of its own on a regular basis. Original cast member Eamonn Walker is leaving Chicago Fire after 12 seasons. Read on to learn everything to know about his exit, including what Boden’s future will be like on the procedural.
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). Boden also appeared on the Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med spinoffs.
On May 7, Deadline reported that the 61-year-old British actor was 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.
Walker last episode will be in the Season 12 finale, “Never Say Goodbye,” airing on May 22, 2024. In the final episode, “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.”
It’s unknown why Eamonn Walker, who portrays Chief Boden, is leaving Chicago Fire as a series regular. However, based on showrunner Andrea Newman’s recent interview with TV Insider, his character’s exit appears to be a natural progression for the storyline.
“Boden has been managing a lot of change at home (with his stepson James) and at 51, and learned a lot while doing it, including about himself,” Newman told the site on May 19. “A shocking incident in the finale will highlight what it means to him to be a leader, and everyone close to him will be impacted in a huge way by the decision he makes.”
The news of Walker’s exit comes after multiple cast changes have impacted Chicago Fire this season. Kara Killmer left her role as Sylvie Brett in episode 6 after finally getting married 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.
