This goodbye may be the hardest one of all.
It’s safe to say that the 12th season of Chicago Fire will forever be remembered as one of the most bittersweet ones. With so many exits from the cast mixed with some of the sweetest events in characters’ lives, the show has taken its viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving them eager to see more.
Luckily, NBC has already made a decision and officially renewed all One Chicago shows for yet another year. The only thing the viewers hope for is a little more stability in Firehouse 51, however, with the new Chief taking over Boden’s place, it may not be the case at all.
Why Did Eamonn Walker Leave Chicago Fire?
Unfortunately for viewers, saying goodbye to Blake Gallo, Matt Casey and Sylvie Brett wasn’t the last loss they had to endure as Chicago Fire wrapped up its 12th season. In the final episode of the season, Eamonn Walker, who has portrayed Chief Boden since the beginning of the show, stepped down from his recurring role.
With Boden moving up the ranks and becoming the Deputy Commissioner of the CFD, Chicago Fire fans can expect his return at some point in the future. However, Firehouse 51 will now have to adjust to a new chief and new members of the team. Season 13 must bring at least some new characters to fill in the blanks left by the previous season.
The loss of such a key character not only affected viewers, but also the show’s management. As it turns out, Chief Boden was the first character to be cast, and he became the glue that held the team together ever since. Now that Eamonn Walker will not be around all the time, everyone will have to get used to the change.
“Eamonn Walker was the first actor cast on Chicago Fire, and Chief Boden’s importance to the family of Firehouse 51 cannot be overstated. The finale attempts to address all of that, from both Boden and the firehouse’s perspective,” the showrunner Anna Newman said to TVLine.
While the season 12 finale did a good job of wrapping up his story and leaving behind more than a decade, it also left viewers with a lot of questions about the upcoming season 13. If the buzz doesn’t die down during the hiatus, the next Chicago Fire season could be off to a very strong start.
If you’re interested in seeing what the next season of the NBC procedural has in store for the characters, keep an eye out for more news and updates, and don’t miss the premiere date announcement.
