Chicago Fire is losing a main character — at least for now — as the cast member goes on hiatus for the rest of the season.
Dermot Mulroney, who plays Dom Pascal, will be absent from the rest of the season due to a story line that requires him off screen, according to Deadline. Mulroney is still expected to appear in the upcoming One Chicago crossover, which airs Wednesday, March 4.
The actor will appear in the following episode and the hiatus will last until the end of the season. Mulroney does have the potential to return as his character continues to deal with budget cuts at the firehouse while pondering a one for public office.
Rob Morgan is expected to appear in Mulroney’s place in a recurring role as Battalion Chief Hopkins. Deadline reported that Hopkins “has a complicated history overseeing several Chicago firehouses and is quick to assert authority over his new colleagues.” Morgan will make his debut in episode 16 and will appear in four episodes — including the season 14 finale.
NBC’s Law & Order and One Chicago franchises have become known for various cast exits across the franchise over the years. As Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. lose fan-favorite characters, NBC’s president of program planning Jeff Bader explained why he wasn’t concerned about the franchise’s revolving door of cast members.
“Cast comes in, cast goes out,” Bader told TVLine in an interview published in July 2024. “It’s interesting. Because every year there are cast changes, and every year someone asks the same question about what’s going on within the One Chicago universe. But [those shows] just keep going on.”
Bader pointed out that each of the Chicago shows have continued to find success, adding, “We’re thrilled with how the Chicagos do on Wednesday. We have no plans on changing anything on that night.”
Chicago Fire recently lost Michael Bradway, who had a recurring role as Jack Damon. He was the latest firefighter to depart Firehouse 51 after it was previously announced that Jake Lockett, who plays Sam Carver, and Daniel Kyri, who is known for his role as Darren Ritter, would not be returning as series regulars. Brandon Larracuente was subsequently brought on as a full-time cast member.
Miranda Rae Mayo‘s Stella Kidd also departed from Firehouse 51 but her exit was more temporary. That wasn’t the first time Kidd and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) faced challenges due to offscreen cast exits. After 11 seasons, Kinney, 44, stepped back for a temporary “leave of absence” in January 2023, which was explained away as Severide going to Alabama to help participate in an arson investigation training program.
A source close to production told Us Weekly at the time that Kinney was leaving to deal with a personal matter. Kinney ultimately returned to Chicago Fire for the start of season 12 later that year.
Chicago Fire airs on NBC Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
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