Full Breakdown
Dermot Mulroney’s Early Exit Marks Major Cast Shake-up Ahead of “Chicago Fire” Season 15
8/1/2026, 12:11:03 PM
The Departure Unfolds
Sources close to production have confirmed that Dermot Mulroney will wrap up his storyline early in Season 15 of NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” exiting as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal. The announcement follows the earlier revelation that original cast member Joe Miñoso, who has portrayed firefighter Joe Cruz since the 2012 pilot, will also leave early in the same season. Season 15 premieres on October 7 at 9 p.m. ET.
Background & Context
Mulroney joined the series in Season 13 after Eamonn Walker’s departure. After a brief hiatus in the latter half of Season 14, he returned for the May 13 finale, which ended on a cliffhanger involving a warehouse fire and an unresolved decision about Pascal’s future. Long-time showrunner Andrea Newman is being succeeded by co-executive producer Victor Teran.
Timeline
- January 22 – Reports indicated Pascal would be written out for the remainder of Season 14.
- May 13 – Season 14 finale aired, leaving several firefighters trapped and Pascal’s career choice unresolved.
- July 31 – Mulroney posted an Instagram Story listing “film ‘Chicago Fire’” among his top tasks.
- October 7 – Season 15 premieres, expected to resolve Pascal’s storyline and introduce new cast members.
Data & Statistics
- Mulroney’s tenure: Seasons 13–14 (2 seasons).
- Miñoso’s tenure: Seasons 1–14 (14 seasons).
- “Chicago Fire” has aired 14 completed seasons since its 2012 premiere; Season 15 begins a reset year.
- The franchise’s three-show “One Chicago” lineup was renewed for the 2026-27 broadcast year at the end of March.
Official Statements & Responses
NBC declined to comment when approached for confirmation of the casting changes. A representative for Mulroney did not immediately respond. Lead actors Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide) and Miranda Rae Mayo have signed new contracts to continue on the series.
Why It Matters
The simultaneous departure of Pascal and Cruz creates a notable shift in the ensemble at a pivotal narrative moment. Their exits coincide with Victor Teran assuming showrunning duties, giving the new leadership an opportunity to reshape story arcs and integrate fresh talent such as Da’Vinchi, who will join as firefighter candidate Marcus Burke. The unresolved cliffhanger from the May 13 finale adds pressure for Season 15 to address both the immediate crisis and the longer-term leadership vacuum at Firehouse 51.
What’s Next
Season 15 will open with the aftermath of the warehouse fire and reveal Pascal’s final decision regarding his role in Chicago. Victor Teran will serve as executive producer and showrunner, guiding the franchise through its first season without Newman. New cast additions include Da’Vinchi as Marcus Burke and the return of core members Hanako Greensmith, Jocelyn Hudon, and Brandon Larracuente. The series returns on October 7 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Working at ‘Chicago Fire,’ with the absolute best cast and crew in the business, has been the highlight of my career. Like so many others, I was inspired to get into TV writing because of Dick [Wolf], so what a thrill it’s been to work with him and the amazing Wolf team of Peter Jankowski, Rebecca McGill and Anastasia Puglisi,” — Andrea Newman
- “It’s an incredible group of people, and we know deep into their past, these characters. So me even joining this cast, to see actors that have played that same part for 12 years, to see how they drop into their character, it was something I’d never witnessed,” — Dermot Mulroney, battalion chief
