Chicago Fire is one of the hit series in the One Chicago franchise. But for such a long-running series, who are its best characters?

Chicago Fire is the first installment of the Chicago Franchise and one of Dick Wolf’s most successful series. The show follows the lives of Chicago firefighters and paramedics at the fictional Firehouse 51. The popular series was recently renewed for a 13th season. The key detail in keeping such a long-running procedural series fresh is the characters.

Several characters have called Firehouse 51 their home over the years. It’s easy to become attached to these characters after seeing them risk their lives selflessly and with heart every day in dangerous situations. These 10 characters are the flame that keeps Chicago Fire burning hot after over a decade on television.

10.Daniel Kyri as Darren Ritter Brings Youthful Vigor to the Series

Darren Ritter is one of the more recent additions to the Chicago Fire series. Ritter entered in Season 7 after being mentored by Senior Firefighter Randall ‘Mouch’ McHolland after he had a hard experience at a massive fire and temporarily quit. Mouch helped Ritter get a second chance in the CFD with Firehouse 51. At the new firehouse, Ritter benefited from the mentorship of more senior firefighters and blossomed.

The best part of Ritter’s character is his spirited nature and youthful approach to life. Ritter is a young presence at a firehouse with several senior firefighters. He is always eager to learn and open up about his identity. This makes his team protective of her, as evidenced when they leapt to his defense when he and his boyfriend were harassed by homophobic bar patrons in Season 10, Episode 4, “The Right Thing.” Ritter has been able to grow as a firefighter without losing his personality, which makes him a great addition to Firehouse 51 and Chicago Fire overall.

9.Christian Stolte as Randall ‘Mouch’ McHolland is Loyal to a Fault

Randall ‘Mouch’ McHolland is one of the trusted Senior Firefighters of Firehouse 51. Mouch is a truck engineer and is the driver of Truck 81. While Mouch is teased for some of his antics, such as his constant television watching and online dating antics, before marrying CPD Desk Seargent Trudy Platt, he is relied upon heavily by his teammates.

Mouch is defined by his undeniable loyalty. Mouch will move hell and earth for his fellow firefighters. As a Union Represenative, he is by their side through disciplinary matters as well as being by their side in the field. Mouch almost perished in a factory fire in Season 6, Episode 1, “It Wasn’t Enough”. After he makes it out and struggles with returning to work, he gives a heartwarming speech about how he is grateful for his fellow firefighters and his wide and wants to remain on the job for as long as he is able. Mouch’s loyalty is his best aspect, and it improves the morale of the firehouse. He is an example for younger firefighters in the house.

8.Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett was a Star Paramedic for Years

Sylvie Brett was introduced in Season 3 after the tragic passing of Paramedic Leslie Shay. It took time for the team to warm up to Brett due to Leslie’s death, but when they did she became a trusted comrade of the Firehouse 51 firefighters. She is an extremely talented paramedic and is known for her level head in the field.

Sylie’s best characteristic is her brilliance as a paramedic. She was promoted to Paramedic In Charge and was the senior paramedic on the team for several years. One of her most notable recent rescues is when she works alongside Paramedic Mikami to deliver a baby that was born still enclosed in its sac in Season 10, Episode 20, “Never, Ever Make A Mistake.” Brett’s skill is undeniable and she has been missed since her recent departure.

7.Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd is an Unrelenting Leader

Lieutenant Stella Kidd joined Chicago Fire in Season 4 and quickly established herself as a highly competent firefighter on Truck 81. Kidd is not only a strong asset on the truck but also in her community. Kidd founded a nonprofit called Girls on Fire to raise awareness of firefighting as a career option for young girls. Kidd’s drive to help people both on and off the job caught the attention of her superiors, who saw great potential in her.

In Season 9, Episode 14, “What Comes Next,” Kidd takes the exam to become a Lieutenant after Chief Boden’s urging. Kidd passes and becomes the Lieutenant and Officer in Charge of Truck 81. Her promotion to lieutenant signifies her obvious leadership potential in becoming official. Kidd’s leadership prowess makes her one of the best characters on Chicago Fire.

6.Yuri Sardarov as Brian Zvonecek Was a Loyal Friend Until the End

Brian Zvonecek, better known as Otis, was one of the original firefighters on Chicago Fire. Otis had a laid-back personality that led him to get up to mischief around the house with his best friend and fellow firefighter, Josef ‘Joe’ Ignacio Cruz. Otis is an undeniably talented firefighter and is the driver of Truck 81. He shows undeniable loyalty to his fellow firefighters, both on and off the job.

Whether it is supporting personal endeavors such as Molly’s Bar, a firefighter bar owned by several Firehouse 51 members, or being side by side in deadly situations, Otis was always there for those in his Firehouse 51 family. He sacrificed himself heroically in the line of duty to save victims and his fellow firefighters in Season 8, Episode 1, “Sacred Ground.” He is remembered fondly to this day. Otis is one of the series’ best characters because of his unwavering loyalty, even at the expense of his own life.

5.Joe Minoso as Josef Cruz is a Steady, Dependable Presence

Josef ‘Joe’ Ignacio Cruz has led a hard life. He worked hard to make something of himself and chose a dangerous job despite growing up in a dangerous environment himself. Joe has proven to be one of the most dedicated firefighters at Firehouse 51 over his 12 seasons on the show.

Joe has always shown up for his team with the best of intentions. Occasionally, his zeal can cause him to rush headfirst into situations without making the most calculated choice. Despite this, he is one of the best characters in the series due to his dependable nature, such as how he is there for Gianna Mackey when she joins Firehouse 51 in Season 9, Episode 1, “Rattle Second City.”

4.David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann is a Passionate Mentor

Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann is a veteran at Firehouse 51. He is one of the longest-running characters on Chicago Fire and one of the most dynamic characters overall. In addition to being a firefighter, he was the driving force behind members of Firehouse 51 buying Molly’s Bar.

Lieutenant Herrmann is a mentor figure to several of the younger firefighters at his firehouse. He has stated several times that he feels it is his responsibility as an older firefighter to dole out advice to the next generation. This is evidenced by the hard advice he gave Ritter in Season 8, Episode 1, “Sacred Ground,” about following orders in the field. Herrmann proves time and time again throughout Chicago Fire that he is one of the best educational supports for young firefighters.

3.Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide is a Passionate and Devoted Firefighter

Kelly Severide made waves right from the moment he was introduced as a main character in the pilot episode of Chicago Fire. Severide is a character-driven by emotion. Emotionally, he burns as hot as the fires he fights and is just as hard to extinguish.

When Kelly Severide comes across situations of injustice in the field or in his personal life, he leaps at the chance to make it right. This is seen when he zealously hunts down a serial arsonist targeting his firehouse, culminating in Season 2, Episode 4, “A Nuisance Call.” Kelly’s passion has resulted in mistakes both personally and professionally. However, his raw emotional nature makes him incredibly compelling and one of the series’ best characters.

2.Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey is Cool and Composed

Matthew ‘Matt’ Casey had one of the longest runs on Chicago Fire, appearing in the pilot all the way until Season 10. Casey is known for his level head in the face of danger and is widely regarded as an extremely competent leader. Casey’s best quality is his composure, which makes him a skilled firefighter and an even better leader.

As a Lieutenant and later a Captain, Casey had a lot of responsibility constantly on his shoulders. In order to ensure the safety of his people, Casey can’t afford to lose his cool. His sense of this responsibility is apparent when he weighs the consequences but decides to fight for risk-taker Blake Gallo to join his squad in Season 8, Episode 2, “A Real Shot In The Arm.” Casey’s level-headedness and composure in the face of adversity make him one of the best characters in the series.

1.Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden is a True Protector of His People

There is no doubt that Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden Jr. is the best character in the series due to his protective nature over the firefighters and paramedics under his command. Boden has fought tooth and nail to protect his people, both at fires and politically, on numerous occasions. Outside of his role, he still is a protective figure and is always there for anyone in need.

Chief Boden has been with the Chicago Fire Department for over 30 years and clearly views his occupation as more of a calling than a job. This calling contributes to his passionate leadership skills that lead his firefighters and paramedics to hold him in incredibly high esteem. So much so that he was asked to walk Lieutenant Stella Kidd down the aisle in Season 10, Episode 22, “The Magnificent City of Chicago.” Chief Boden’s protective nature allows his people to flourish and thrive in a safe environment under him, making him the best character in Chicago Fire.