If Chicago Fire returns for Season 14, it’ll be doing so without two of its firefighters. Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett are stepping away from the long-running NBC drama, Deadline reports—and while their onscreen stories may still get closure, the behind-the-scenes reason points to broader shakeups across the Wolf Entertainment universe.
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Kyri, who’s been with Chicago Fire for seven seasons as Darren Ritter, and Lockett, who joined in Season 11 as Sam Carver, are reportedly not leaving by choice. According to sources, their exits are part of a larger cost-cutting strategy, one that may affect not only Chicago Fire, but all five Wolf Entertainment series currently on NBC—including Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., and the Law & Order franchises.
This isn’t the first time the One Chicago world has felt the squeeze. Two years ago, NBC reduced episode counts for many veteran cast members in a similar money-saving move. Now, with contract negotiations looming and renewals still in flux, more departures could be coming down the pipeline.
The Characters We’re Saying Goodbye To
Kyri made his first appearance back in Season 7 and quickly became a fan favorite. Darren Ritter, the heart-forward firefighter who started as a candidate, has had one of the more emotionally grounded arcs in recent seasons. His storyline with Officer Dwayne Monroe gave viewers a rare, tender glimpse at queer love on network television. While their romance didn’t work out—Ritter wasn’t ready to move in—it gave the show a much-needed softness amid the flames and rescues.
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Lockett’s Sam Carver came in like a storm: flawed, impulsive, and trying to outrun his demons. After his relationship with Violet fizzled, Carver spiraled. His relapse, entry into a 12-step program, and slow climb back to stability gave the show some of its most vulnerable beats. While he’s since repaired his friendship with Violet and earned back some trust at the firehouse, his chapter is now coming to a close.
What This Means for Season 14
As of now, NBC hasn’t officially greenlit Season 14—but let’s be real, it’s probably coming. Chicago Fire remains one of the network’s strongest performers on both traditional TV and streaming. However, the delay in the renewal and this wave of cast exits could indicate deeper changes ahead.
Reps for NBC, Universal Television, and Wolf Entertainment declined to comment, but the writing’s on the wall: budgets are being trimmed, deals are being reworked, and nothing is guaranteed. If renewals do move forward, we could see more exits not just on Chicago Fire, but across the entire Wolf slate.
A Trend in the Wolf Universe
The news comes almost exactly two years after NBC confirmed that multiple Wolf Entertainment regulars would appear in fewer episodes due to budget adjustments. The ripple effects have already been felt, with familiar faces missing episodes and ensemble dynamics shifting. Add to that the recent surprise cancellations of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International over on CBS, and it’s clear—this isn’t just business as usual.
So while it’s tough to see Ritter and Carver go, their exits reflect a much larger moment of recalibration in network TV, where even longtime fan-favorites aren’t safe from the bottom line.
For now, production continues on Season 13, and sources suggest that both characters will receive proper sendoffs. Whether those goodbyes are satisfying—or just setups for bigger changes—remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: the next few months in the One Chicago universe are going to be anything but quiet.
Stay tuned.