“CHICAGO FIRE ”SETS DERMOT MULRONEY AS THE NEW CHIEF AT FIREHOUSE 51 FOLLOWING EAMONN WALKER'S EXIT

Mulroney will star as Chief Dom Pascal on the upcoming thirteenth season of 'Chicago Fire'

Chicago Fire is getting a new chief!

PEOPLE has learned Dermot Mulroney is set to join the cast of Chicago Fire as Chief Dom Pascal.

The new chief will be returning to the Chicago Fire Department after a stint as a chief in Miami. He brings a different leadership style to Firehouse 51 than former chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), according to TV Line.

In May, Deadline reported Walker would be scaling back his series regular role after 12 seasons on the hit NBC series. The actor is expected to reprise his role in a recurring capacity in future seasons of the firefighting procedural.

Boden’s chapter as Chicago’s fire chief came to a close in the season 12 finale.

As fans may recall, he had an epiphany about leadership after a save at a construction site went awry — and put himself up for the role of Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department.

While waiting for the appointment, he told Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) that he wanted him to be his “replacement.”

"You just have to be you,” he said. “The Christopher Herrmann who looks out for people, who listens. Who always leads with his heart."

Though Walker is the latest actor to depart the series, he isn't the first to say goodbye in season 12.

Kara Killmer, who took on the role of Sylvie Brett, took her final bow in an episode that aired in February when her character married Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) and joined him in his move to Oregon.

Spencer previously departed the NBC series in October 2021 after 200 episodes. At the time, he opened up about his bittersweet choice to leave the series and his plans for the future in a round table interview.

"This was a difficult decision because I have loved the show from the start but there are other things that I would like to do in the future, and there's some family that I need to take care of and 18 years is a long time," he said. "I was marking off these milestones and looking to the future … and it was time."

He added, "It felt so organic for me and a perfect full circle and a really reasonable way for Casey to organically leave."

Alberto Rosende, who plays Blake Gallo, also announced he would be leaving the series in December 2023. His final appearance on the show took place during the season 12 premiere.

"When I decided to end my time with Chicago, it wasn't easy," he wrote on his Instagram Stories, per Deadline. "The people I've met were truly special, the friendships I've made will last a lifetime, and the story I got to tell was one that made me proud."

He added, "Can't wait to see what else is in store and I wish everyone the best in shooting the rest of the season."

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2024-07-25T21:52:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd