“Chicago Fire” has entered its 13th season and continues to prove itself as one of NBC’s most successful dramas, as well as the anchor of the One Chicago universe. While the Law & Order and FBI franchises maintain steady momentum, only One Chicago consistently delivers crossover events that feel organic and thrilling. From Mouch’s surprise cameo in Chicago Med to the massive three-show arc “In the Trenches,” these moments highlight the strength of the franchise’s interconnected world. But alongside the excitement comes the show’s trademark turbulence: just as the firehouse blazes on, cast members come and go, and Season 13 has brought some of the biggest shake-ups yet.
One of the season’s most notable turns involves the return of Jack Damon, Kelly Severide’s half-brother. First introduced in Season 12 as a brooding, secretive newcomer with a complicated past, Damon quickly proved to be more than he appeared. Struggling to step out of the shadows of both Severide and their father Benny, Damon had to fight for a place at Firehouse 51. After clashing with Stella Kidd and being transferred out, his time away from 51 toughened him up. When Chief Dom Pascal officially reinstated him at the end of “In the Rubble,” many fans celebrated. Yet the decision carried a cost: Kylie Estevez, a fan-favorite since Season 8, was quietly pushed out of the picture.
Kylie’s journey had always been tied to Stella Kidd’s mission to bring more women into the CFD through her “Girls on Fire” program. From a high school student inspired by Kidd to a young woman who passed her firefighter’s exam, Kylie became a fixture at Firehouse 51. She shared a strong bond with Darren Ritter and embodied the very change Kidd wanted to see in the department. While she initially chose to gain experience at another house rather than live in Kidd’s shadow, fans hoped she would eventually return full-time to 51. That chance seemed to come in Season 13, but Damon’s hiring has effectively closed the door on her. The loss is more than just one character—it undercuts a major theme of Kidd’s arc and removes one of the few female firefighters the show has ever developed.
And Kylie isn’t the only one. In another blow, both Darren Ritter and Sam Carver have been confirmed to exit at the end of the season. Carver’s departure may sting less, given his rocky personality and frequent clashes with colleagues, but Ritter’s exit is devastating. A reliable firefighter, Herrmann’s right hand, and Kylie’s closest friend, Ritter also carried the weight of being the last Black firefighter on the series after Chief Boden left in Season 12. His absence will leave Firehouse 51 less diverse and strip away one of the show’s most grounded, heartfelt characters. With Boden gone and Ritter next to follow, the firehouse risks losing its balance of voices, perspectives, and heart.
The real concern for fans isn’t just the individual exits, but the larger direction of the series. With Kylie marginalized, Ritter and Carver leaving, and Damon still finding his footing, Firehouse 51 feels increasingly unstable. The heart of Chicago Fire has always been its ensemble, a family where every character mattered. Yet with turnover piling up, audiences are left wondering whether NBC and Wolf Entertainment are sacrificing that spirit. Can the writers rebuild the chemistry with so many missing pieces? Will Kidd’s mission to mentor women be forgotten? As Season 13 races toward its finale, fans can only wait to see whether the flames at 51 will keep burning strong—or whether too many losses will dim the fire.
