The original cast of Chicago Fire featured familiar faces such as Eamonn Walker as Chief Boden, Jesse Spencer as
Matt Casey, Monica Raymund as Gabby Dawson, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann, and more. Now, the
cast looks much different as various characters (some better than others) have been added over the years. While not
every character in Chicago Fire has been well-received throughout the NBC procedural drama’s 13 seasons and 252 episodes, the good characters always outrank the bad. In fact, 10 prominent Chicago Fire figures are unforgettable and have made their mark not only on the show but also on TV.
10. Darren Ritter
Played By Daniel Kyri
9. Stella Kidd
Played By Miranda Rae Mayo
Kidd is very headstrong (in a good way), consistently gives back to her community, and is fiercely protective of her loved ones.
8. Joe Cruz
Played By Joe Minoso
Joe Cruz has been a steady and reliable presence at Firehouse 51, and he is one of the few remaining original characters left heading into Chicago Fire season 13 (for good reason). Joe Minoso’s Cruz had a rough upbringing that sadly followed him into adulthood. However, Cruz has built a good life for himself and worked very hard to get to where he is today in the world of Chicago Fire.
7. Sylvie Brett
Played By Kara Killmer
Unfortunately, fans had to say goodbye to paramedic Sylvie Brett when Kara Killmer exited Chicago Fire in the middle of season 12. The good news is that Brett was an integral part of the NBC procedural drama for almost 10 seasons. Plus, she got her happy ending. Killmer joined the main cast during the season 3 premiere when Brett transferred to Ambulance 61 to replace Shay after her tragic death. Although many were disheartened by Leslie Shay’s death, Brett quickly proved herself to be a worthy member of Firehouse 51.
Brett was one of the most talented paramedics to come through Firehouse 51. She was respected by many as she was level-headed, intelligent, empathetic, caring, and had every quality one needs to be an excellent first responder. After almost 10 seasons of having a chaotic love life, Brett finally married Matt Casey in Chicago Fire season 12, episode 6, and the two (along with Brett’s adopted daughter, Julia) promptly moved to Portland, Oregon.
6. Kelly Severide
Played By Taylor Kinney
Even though Kinney’s exit from Chicago Fire has been rumored for the last couple of seasons, Severide is seemingly here to stay (at least, for season 13). As he tries to get back on track planning his and Kidd’s future, Severide will also be dealing with the revelation that Jack Damon is Benny Severide’s son, making him Kelly’s half-brother. Chicago Fire season 13’s story has a lot in store for Severide, which is only made possible by his complex and passionate nature.
Played By Jesse Spencer
While Severide led Squad 3, Matt Casey was the leader of Truck 81 at the start of Chicago Fire. Despite the NBC procedural drama TV show’s ensemble cast, Casey and Severide were, without a doubt, the main characters, and for good reason. Severide’s good qualities (like his passion) are listed above. Meanwhile, Casey was seemingly the opposite of Severide, which made for an interesting dynamic between the two firefighters. Although Casey is Severide’s polar opposite, he is still one of Chicago Fire‘s best characters.
Casey was logical, stern, and respected, and he always kept his cool during emergencies when he worked at Firehouse 51. His position as a strong and reliable leader was admirable, and not an episode goes by where he isn’t missed. Casey left Chicago Fire at the beginning of season 10 to look after Andrew Darden’s two sons in Portland. Spencer returned a few times to reprise his role as Casey. However, following Casey and Brett’s wedding in season 12, it’s quite unlikely that the audience will see the couple onscreen anytime soon.
4. Wallace Boden
Played By Eamonn Walker
3. Brian “Otis” Zvonecek
Played By Yuri Sardarov
Brian “Otis” Zvonecek was one of the original firefighters in Chicago Fire and was a fan favorite from the start, which is why his death was so heartbreaking. Yuri Sardarov’s Otis was loyal, funny, smart, and just an all-around likable Chicago Fire character. He was essentially the heart of Firehouse 51. So, losing Otis during the season 8 premiere was beyond devastating. Otis isn’t the only Chicago Fire character to die on the show, but his death ranks among the procedural drama’s most shocking and gut-wrenching.
Ultimately, although his death is tragic, it also proves how heroic, brave, and caring Otis was, and he’s dearly missed.
2. Christopher Herrmann
Played By David Eigenberg
Not only is Herrmann respected, but he’s also just a dynamic and all-around fun character. It’s easy to root for Herrmann, and it’s also terrifying when he’s in imminent danger. Although Herrmann won’t be Boden’s Firehouse 51 replacement in Chicago Fire season 13, the fact that Herrmann was the former chief’s pick to be his successor just proves how well-liked he is and how great of a leader he is.
1. Leslie Shay
Played By Lauren German
Since Shay was so well-liked and her death was so tragic, everyone at Firehouse 51 (and many members of the audience) took Shay’s death hard in Chicago Fire.
Shay was intelligent, strongly opinionated, fearless, loyal, and so much more. She was never afraid to speak up for what was right and always defended her friends. Sadly, Shay became the show’s first major casualty following the season 2 finale when she and other members of Firehouse 51 got called to a fire.
