Is Ritter leaving Chicago Fire? Character’s future in the show, explored

NBC's Chicago Fire will probably return for Season 14, though NBC is yet to officially renew the One Chicago Universe. The show, however, will not be the same for the fans.

According to a Deadline report, actors Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) are set to exit the procedural after Season 13. The network has decided to write off their characters due to budget cuts, a prevailing issue that has been a concern across the One Chicago Universe for quite some time now.

It looks like Kyri and Lockett are the latest casualties and their characters will leave the show.

Firefighter Darren Ritter debuted in Season 7 and quickly became a main character in Season 8. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, Ritter is leaving the procedural drama and will not be a part of the show when/if it returns with Season 14.

More on Ritter's exit from Chicago Fire in our story.

Daniel Kyri's Ritter will have to leave Chicago Fire due to budget cuts

While budget cuts and cast changes are not new to NBC procedurals, especially within the One Chicago Universe, it was heartbreaking for Chicago Fire fans to accept the idea that Ritter and Carver would exit after Season 13.

The news has not been confirmed by NBC officially but according to reports, Kyri is set to exit the show after Season 13. Daniel Kyri joined the NBC procedural back in Season 7 and quickly became a fan favorite as Ritter.

While Ritter was not the brightest character in the ensemble, his unique and cheery presence made the cast appealing, and his character added a fresh perspective to the story. In addition, Kyri's flawless portrayal of Darren Ritter since Season 7 made the show a pleasant watch for the audience.

Moreover, Ritter is an openly gay firefighter in the squad who had a relationship with Officer Dwayne Monroe in Chicago Fire Season 12, adding an element of diversity to the show.

While neither NBC nor Kyri have officially announced Ritter's exit from Season 13, the actor confirmed the development on his Instagram stories, thanking his fans and the cast and crew of the show. He wrote:

“I’ll miss this character, and it’s time to move on.”

Ritter's exit will likely be featured in the last two episodes of Chicago Fire Season 13

Soon after the news of Ritter and Carver exiting Chicago Fire Season 13 was all over the Internet, fans were expecting to see some of that play out in the latest episode, 'Permanent Damage', which premiered on NBC on April 23, 2025.

However, the episode did not show any plot progression toward the angle. In fact, the latest episode saw Ritter letting Lizzie Novak into his spare bedroom and it seems like the show was headed toward depicting a strong friendship between the two.

The next episode trailer also suggests that the episode will primarily focus on Stella and Kelly's adoption storyline, which leaves the last two episodes for Ritter and Carver.

While the fans are already upset over Ritter leaving, the idea that he could leave in a body bag would be heartbreaking. If Ritter dies during a fire or any other incident, that would leave no room for the creators to bring his character back, even in a cameo.

Since Ritter had not received his proper due on the show and has mainly been in the background, fans are hoping that he will get a befitting farewell, with room for his return in future seasons.

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Also Read: What is the One Chicago universe on NBC and which shows are a part of it?

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