After stepping away at the end of season 12, Chicago Fire fan-favorite Wallace Boden is set to make a dramatic return to Firehouse 51 — but not under celebratory circumstances. Eamonn Walker, who has portrayed Boden since the show’s debut in 2012, opened up about reprising the role in what he describes as a “very special episode” that feels “more like a movie than an episode.”
NBC’s long-running firefighter drama returns from a short break with season 13, episode 8 airing on April 17. The upcoming episode, titled “Post-Mortem,” sees Deputy Commissioner Boden return to investigate a serious incident in which a firefighter is left behind during a blaze — a potentially career-altering event for those involved.
Speaking with Deadline, Walker reflected on returning to the set, saying, “It was amazing to go back. I’d missed everybody terribly, and the welcome I got was second to none.” He added that stepping into the uniform again was emotional but familiar. “We knew this was a very special episode. The writing is fantastic, and the filming is unusual for a Chicago Fire episode. I think you’ve got more of a movie here than an episode.”
Boden Returns With Authority — And A Mission
Boden’s return isn’t a social visit. Now serving as Deputy Commissioner, he’s coming in to find out exactly what went wrong — and who’s to blame — when a firefighter was left behind. This puts him on a collision course with Firehouse 51’s current leadership, especially Chief Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney.
“There’s only one person above me, and that’s the commissioner,” Walker said. “I’m coming in to find out why a firefighter was left behind. It doesn’t get more intense than that.”
Boden’s investigation brings personal and professional tension. Though once a mentor and father figure to many at 51, his current role positions him as an outsider — and, in some ways, an adversary. Walker noted that while Boden had his own clashes with upper management in the past, this time he is the upper management, and that changes the dynamic entirely.
What This Means for Chicago Fire Season 13
This isn’t just a one-off nostalgic return. Boden’s presence could have ripple effects throughout the back half of the season. With Chicago Fire returning to a full 22-episode order this year, there’s time for the fallout of the investigation to unfold, potentially affecting relationships, leadership decisions, and the station’s unity.
The season has already proven to be emotionally charged, and Boden’s return raises the stakes even higher. The character’s moral compass, leadership, and no-nonsense approach will likely challenge Firehouse 51 in ways they haven’t experienced since his departure.
Will Boden Return Again?
While it’s unclear how many episodes Eamonn Walker is scheduled to appear in, he’s expressed a willingness to return whenever the show calls for it. “Boden lives inside of me,” Walker said. “My problem is stopping Boden from popping out.” He added that as long as the writing is strong and there’s room in the story, he’s open to future appearances.
As Chicago Fire continues its thirteenth season and looks ahead to a potential season 14, fans can likely expect that this won’t be the last they see of Deputy Commissioner Wallace Boden.
