Two big characters are leaving Chicago Fire in Season 14. One series regular is also departing Chicago P.D., and though Chicago Med hasn’t announced any departures, at this point… we wouldn’t be surprised if they were next. Sure, all 3 shows were renewed for another season, but a smaller episode count was always expected. Apparently, that’s not enough.
Of course, the information cycle for the shows isn’t exactly the same, as we already knew who was leaving Chicago Fire since before the season ended, which is how we already know that a new character is coming to the show in Season 14. Brandon Larracuente, who recently appeared in another Dick Wolf show, On Call, is joining the cast as a series regular for the next season.
The news comes after the confirmed departures of Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter), who will not be returning to the show this fall. How they will be written out remains to be seen, as the show didn’t actually give them an exit in the final episodes of Season 13. In fact, the season ended with Carver and Violet kissing and Novak as Ritter’s new roommate. Doesn’t exactly scream exit.
Larracuente’s addition is not a real surprise, as the show was always going to need someone to fill the void, but this is yet another character Chicago Fire introduces that we are supposed to care about. Considering how that went for us with Carver and Ritter very recently, not to mention Gallo, Matt, Sylvie, and Boden… at this point, we’ll admit it’s getting a bit harder.
After all, we’re not even sure if he’s actually here to stay or if the show will just get rid of him the moment we start to care.
We have been there.
Thankfully, the show does have a core cast that has remained steady for years, which is why we’re still very much invested. But our investment begins and ends, at this point, with Stella, Kelly, Herrmann, Mouch, Cruz, Violet, and Lizzie. In fact, Lizzie Novak has been one of the few newer characters we have been able to invest in.
Even Damon, we were a little iffy on, and it turns out we were right! Michael Bradway is not returning for the next season of the show, after booking Every Summer After on Prime Video. It’s great for him, but without a doubt disappointing for our need for continuity.
And we’re not even bringing the new Chief into this. Because he is staying, and we wouldn’t even have minded if he left.
Chicago P.D.‘s problem is even bigger. The show recently announced the departure of Toya Turner‘s Kiana Cook, with no replacement for her set yet. Turner had joined the show to fill the void left by Tracy Spiridakos, who left a year after Jesse Lee Soffer did.
That’s a lot of important departures, even if the show still has the backbone of Voight, Adam, Kim, and Kevin. In fact, just like on Chicago Fire, can we even care for anyone outside of them? Is it worth it?
Right now, it seems like the answer is no.
According to Deadline, the show has hired Arienne Mandi to play Naomi Kerr, a former soldier and military contractor who joins the Chicago P.D. department. The character is described as a “thrill-seeker” and “secret-keeper” who may have trouble fitting in with the team.
That might sound good, if you know, we felt like we could care. Instead, we’re just going to wary and likely not get attached. Things just don’t work out for us in One Chicago land.
So yeah, welcome to Chicago Fire, Brandon and Arienne. We hope you stick around long enough that we get to care about whoever you’re planning. We’re just not going to hold our breath.
How do you feel about the new addition to Chicago Fire? How are you feeling about this Chicago P.D. departure? Are you in a sit-and-wait mode like us?
Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. will return for Season 14 this fall.
I wasn’t all that happy with Herman not becoming Chief and resigning as an officer. I have a feeling what is coming and I think we aren’t going to like it. I think with Stella’s pregnancy, she will be moved to OFI (the irony) or some other desk job at some point, like Gabby was. Though not necessarily in the first episode. Herman will remain captain and take over truck. Mouch gets to be lieutenant. I also think this will be Mouch and Trudy’s last season. I have not heard any rumors but looking at how last season ended, with Herman telling Mouch “they’re pushing guys like us out” and the fact that Trudy is barely on PD anymore, it makes sense that they may go in this direction. Trudy could have another close call, though not shot this time, and decide to retire and Mouch after serving as lieutenant decide it’s time. They retire and move out of Chicago. If this happens, the new character will be safe.
While the Dick Wolf universe shows have been going through a lot of cast changes, PD itself hasnt gone through that many. Not anymore than long running shows usually do. The 1st very big exit was Erin who left after s4, then Al died in s5, Antonio left after s6, Vanessa came in s7 and left after s7, Jay left in s10, Torres came in s10, Hailey left after s11, Toya came in s12 and is leaving after s12. Thats not bad compared to SVU recently or Fire or a show outside of Dick Wolf universe- Criminal Minds when it was on CBS. Hopefully there will be no more exits on PD unless the new actress/character sucks and takes attention away from the existing characters then she can leave. please.
If the new actress is white like Tracy they’ll last. Otherwise no. The show got rid of 2 woc after only a season but they kept the white girl that was hated by the general public for 6 seasons lol.
Rich, Trudy has barely been on PD since like s5. I heard the actress prefers it that way as it gives her more time to do theater work. As for Mouch and Hermann, they’ve been doing the whole “we’re old” storylines with them for few seasons now. So I doubt any of this means Mouch and Trudy are next to leave. Not saying its impossible just doubtful