No one saw it coming: Two beloved Chicago Fire cast members are leaving the series after this season, leaving fans heartbroken.

‘Chicago Fire’ Shock: Two Fan-Favorite Stars Set to Exit as Budget Cuts Hit Firehouse 51

Chicago Fire has seen its fair share of cast changes over the years, but the latest news has left fans stunned. In a surprising twist, Deadline reports that Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) are set to exit the series at the end of Season 13 — and will not return for Season 14, should the show be renewed.

While cast departures aren’t new to long-running dramas, this one hits differently. Both Ritter and Carver have become fixtures in the firehouse family, with storylines and character arcs that have earned them a special place in the hearts of fans. The news of their departure comes as part of a reported push by Wolf Entertainment to reduce production costs ahead of the 2025-26 season renewals.

NBC has yet to officially comment, but Deadline’s reputation for accuracy gives weight to the report. Making the announcement all the more real, Daniel Kyri himself addressed his upcoming exit with a heartfelt message:
“I’ll miss this character and it’s time to move on. Thank you to the cast, crew and awesome fans.”

According to Deadline, Kyri and Lockett’s departures are just the beginning. The report hints that more exits could be on the horizon — not just in Chicago Fire, but across the entire One Chicago and Law & Order franchises. With multiple veteran cast members nearing the end of their contracts, tough decisions are being made behind the scenes as negotiations continue and budgets tighten.

There is, however, a small silver lining: Season 13 of Chicago Fire has not yet finished filming. That means there’s still hope for proper sendoffs for Ritter and Carver, something fans are hoping NBC won’t overlook. Given how central both characters have been to the firehouse dynamic, it would be a disservice to write them out off-screen or with a single throwaway line. But the truth is, nothing’s guaranteed — and it’s possible that their absences may simply be explained in Season 14 without any on-screen goodbyes.

This latest development is yet another example of the growing trend of cost-cutting in network TV. Over the past few years, series regulars have appeared in fewer episodes, leading to noticeable absences with little to no explanation. It’s become increasingly common for characters to vanish midseason — their storylines left hanging or glossed over entirely.

With just a few episodes left in Season 13, fans are bracing themselves for emotional goodbyes. Ritter and Carver have brought heart, humor, and heroism to Chicago Fire, and their departure will leave a noticeable void. Here’s hoping the show honors their contributions with the sendoffs they deserve — and that the firehouse doesn’t lose more of its family in the weeks to come.