Chicago Fire Season 14 Renewed: New Faces, Cast Exits, and What to Expect
NBC’s high-octane drama Chicago Fire is officially coming back for Season 14. While the brave first responders of Firehouse 51 will continue to save lives in the Windy City, fans should brace for big cast shake-ups and behind-the-scenes changes.
NBC Renews Chicago Fire for 2025-26 Season
Chicago Fire has been renewed by NBC for the 2025–26 TV season. The long-running hit will return for its 14th season following the conclusion of its 13th season, which wrapped on May 21. The series remains a flagship of NBC’s One Chicago universe, which also includes Chicago Med and Chicago PD.
The show continues to follow the intense and emotional lives of the firefighters, paramedics, and rescue squad at Firehouse 51, with stars like Taylor Kinney (Lt. Severide), David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, and Miranda Rae Mayo returning to lead the ensemble.
Ratings Dip, But Firehouse 51 Stays Strong
Despite a noticeable drop in viewership, Chicago Fire remains a top-performing scripted series for NBC. Season 13 averaged a 0.39 rating in the 18–49 demographic and drew in 5.72 million viewers, including DVR playback—down 21% in the demo and 9% in total viewers compared to Season 12.
Still, its strong Wednesday night performance secures its place as NBC’s second-highest-rated scripted show.
Budget Cuts Bring Cast Changes and Fewer Episodes
In a bid to tighten production costs, NBC is implementing changes that will affect the cast and episode structure of Season 14:
- Some main cast members will skip 2–4 episodes.
- Actors who don’t establish Illinois residency may be featured in fewer episodes due to the show’s Chicago filming base.
- Annual salary raises (typically 5%) are being frozen for select cast members.
- Some characters may be written off entirely.
These adjustments are part of a broader cost-reduction strategy across network TV.
Two Fan Favorites Exit the Series
With change comes loss. Chicago Fire fans will be saying goodbye to two beloved characters:
- Daniel Kyri, who portrayed Darren Ritter for seven seasons.
- Jake Lockett, who played Sam Carver for three seasons.
NBC has not confirmed whether these exits will occur on-screen or be handled off-camera.
Brandon Larracuente Joins Cast in Mysterious New Role
To fill the gap left by Ritter and Carver, Chicago Fire is bringing in fresh talent. Brandon Larracuente has been cast as a new series regular for Season 14. Although character details remain under wraps, it’s highly likely he’ll be stepping in as a new firefighter at Firehouse 51.
Larracuente is no stranger to the Wolf Entertainment family, having starred in the Prime Video series On Call. His casting hints at a seamless integration into the One Chicago world.
Fans are especially curious to see if his character will represent the LGBTQ+ community, following the departure of the franchise’s only regular LGBTQ+ character (Ritter).
When Will Chicago Fire Season 14 Premiere?
NBC has yet to announce a specific premiere date, but Chicago Fire Season 14 is expected to debut in Fall 2025. Filming begins in July, so fans should anticipate first-look images and teasers in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for updates on casting news, plot developments, and behind-the-scenes changes as the series gears up for another action-packed season.
Who Is Casting Chicago Fire Season 14?
Casting for Chicago Fire Season 14 is in the capable hands of Chicago Fire Extras, a reputable casting team that specializes in non-speaking background roles and stand-ins for the NBC drama. They are instrumental in finding local talent to represent the city of Chicago on-screen authentically.
The extras casting is directed by Joan Philo, a veteran casting director with decades of experience in Chicago television and film. Her team is known for maintaining a high standard of professionalism and accuracy when matching talent to production needs.
Joan Philo and the Chicago Fire Extras team have contributed to the realism and diversity of the show, casting real Chicago locals in essential behind-the-scenes roles that help bring Firehouse 51 to life.
Apply for Chicago Fire Season 14 Casting Calls on Project Casting
Want to join the ranks of Firehouse 51? NBC is currently casting stand-ins for Chicago Fire Season 14. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to gain more on-set experience, this is a great opportunity to work behind the scenes of a hit drama series.
Female Stand-Ins Wanted for Chicago Fire Season 14
Location: Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full-time, July 2025–April 2026
Pay: $186 for 8 hours, time-and-a-half after 8 hours
Profiles Needed:
- SI 7: Caucasian, dirty blond, 20s–30s, 5’5”–5’7”
- SI 8: Latina, dark hair, 20s–30s, 5’6”–5’8”
- SI 9: Asian/Latina, dark hair, 20s–30s, 5’8”–5’10”
Requirements:
- Full-time availability Monday through Friday
- Attend audition at CineSpace Studio on July 18
- Must be a local Chicago resident
Click here to submit for the female stand-in role
Male Stand-Ins Wanted for Chicago Fire Season 14
Location: Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full-time, July 2025–April 2026
Pay: $186 for 8 hours, time-and-a-half after 8 hours
Profiles Needed:
- SI 1: Caucasian male, 30s–40s, salt & pepper hair, 5’10″–6’0″
- SI 2: Caucasian male, 40s–60s, 5’6″–5’8″
- SI 3: Latino male, 20s–50s, bald, 5’11″–6’1″
- SI 4: Caucasian male, 40s–60s, 5’9″–5’11”
- SI 5: Caucasian male, 40s–60s, 5’8″–5’10”
- SI 6: Latino or Caucasian male, 20s–30s, 5’11″–6’1″
Requirements:
- Daily availability (Mon–Fri) from late July 2025 to April 2026
- Attend audition if selected
- Must be a local Chicago resident
Click here to submit for the male stand-in role
Don’t miss your chance to work on one of network TV’s most iconic drama series. Apply now and take your first step onto the set of Chicago Fire Season 14 with Project Casting!
