Chicago Fire gods giveth, Chicago Fire gods taketh away, and sometimes… they give back? At least for a little while? In a surprising and yet wholly unsurprising twist, Daniel Kyri has shared that he will return to the show next season, though he did confirm it would be for a ‘limited time.’ Then, just a few days after, Kyri bid goodbye to the character, seemingly confirming he’d only be in one episode of the new season.
The actor announced his return on Instagram Stories, alongside a photo of himself with his partners in crime, Violet Makami (Hanako Greensmith) and Lizzie Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), looking at the camera and smiling.
On Instagram too, he posted his farewell to Ritter, saying, “I filmed my last scenes as [Darren] Ritter [and] I’m still so amazed that my first-ever TV gig — a role that was originally meant for just three episodes — turned into seven incredible years (SEVEN?!?!! Whatttt???!) and spanned eight seasons of this iconic show!” He added, “While I know I may never find another cast and crew as amazing as this one, I intend to carry what I’ve learned from you to every set in the future.”
He went on to thank costars, fans, and Wolf Entertainment before saying, “Chicago Fire changed my life. Bringing Darren Ritter to the screen has transformed [and] healed me in equal measure. He is a man who embodies empathy, humility, compassion, and unwavering bravery to save lives. His heroism is further fortified by the way he navigates the world — a gay Black firefighter who is proud, fierce, loyal [and] whole — a possibility I never got to see onscreen in my childhood but desperately craved… I am so humbled [and] proud to have portrayed you. I’m thrilled that my inner child would have looked at you each week in awe of everything you represent. You made history. Thank you so much, Darren Ritter. And goodbye.”
Ritter (and Carver) were announced to be leaving the show at the end of Season 13. Despite that, there was no actual storyline to write the two of them out in the Season 13 finale. In fact, at the close of last season, it seemed like both would come back. Ritter just let Novak move in with him, after all. He had more character development in Season 13 than he had in a while. We saw him have a whole relationship, even! It didn’t work, but it happened.
Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Guide that the plan was for them to come back, particularly Carver. “Carver has a huge decision to make. He’s basically said he doesn’t think he can stay clean and stay in Chicago and be around the people who were part of the triggering experience for him. So, it’s more than just, “Can I be with Violet?” It’s “Can I stay here at all? And can Violet be a part of my life, and I still heal?” So, there’s a lot to work out for those two. But they’ve been able to say how they really feel to each other. And I think for them, that was a huge, huge victory and a huge moment that will only help them each in their own ways.”
Indeed, Carver’s departure is as baffling as Ritter’s, particularly considering he ended the season declaring his love for Violet and then kissing her. Doesn’t really seem like the end, does it?
But somehow, it is. Or it was. Because now Ritter is back, albeit for a short time. And that’s great! It’s also somewhat scary, all things considered. Chicago Fire is no stranger to writing out characters in very painful ways. Considering the way Season 13 ended, we at least felt we could breathe easy in that regard. Carver and Ritter would be gone, but at least they would be alive. Except now Ritter is coming back, for what he called a “limited time.” Does that mean his chances of literally dying in a blaze of glory have gone up? We’re going to be honest, it’s starting to look likely.
If he’s just coming back for closure, we’ll take it! Budget cuts, a reassignment, or anything that allows him to live on in the universe? Not our choice, but okay. We wish it weren’t a quick one-and-done, or that he didn’t really have to leave. But at this point, we’ll be happy if he leaves alive. Please and thank you.
I hope they do a better job with his departure than they did with Gallo’s.