From Firehouse Hero to Australian Patriarch: Jesse Spencer Reinvents Himself in Last Days of the Space Age

After a decade of playing heroic firefighter Matthew Casey on NBC’s Chicago Fire, Jesse Spencer has embarked on a dramatic new chapter—both personally and professionally. The Australian actor, who became a household name thanks to his calm-under-pressure presence and searing emotional depth on the hit procedural drama, stepped away from the One Chicago franchise in Season 10 to return home to Australia. But his departure wasn’t the end of Casey’s story—or Spencer’s.

Fans rejoiced when Spencer made a surprise return in Season 11 for a pivotal guest arc that culminated in Matt Casey reaching the incredible milestone of 200 episodes. In Season 12, the beloved character got a heartfelt sendoff: marrying longtime love Sylvie Brett and moving to Oregon to lead a different firehouse, closing one door while opening another.

Now, that “other door” has led Spencer not just to another role—but to another era, another continent, and an entirely new type of storytelling.

Spencer’s first major project after Chicago Fire is the Australian series Last Days of the Space Age, an eight-part historical drama streaming globally on Disney+. And it couldn’t be more different from his work as Firehouse 51’s stoic captain.

Welcome to 1979: Meet Tony Bissett

Set against the dusty, sun-drenched backdrop of 1970s Western Australia, Last Days of the Space Age is a genre-bending period piece that fuses historical fact with intimate family drama. Spencer stars as Tony Bissett, a gruff, working-class father of four who’s doing his best to hold his fractured family together as chaos literally falls from the sky. The series is based on real events surrounding the crash of the American space station Skylab, which came hurtling back to Earth in 1979 and scattered debris across the small town of Esperance.

Tony isn’t a firefighter or first responder, but he is very much a man in crisis. As his world is upended by the looming spectacle of the Miss Universe pageant and the fallout (both literal and emotional) from Skylab’s crash, Tony must confront a changing Australia—one that is evolving socially, politically, and culturally in ways that leave him feeling alienated and left behind.

In a post-Chicago Fire career move, Spencer could have easily leaned into roles that mirror his past success: stoic protectors, principled leaders, modern-day heroes. Instead, he chose to challenge himself. Tony Bissett is not a man of polished words or gallant action. He’s flawed, often stubborn, and emotionally closed off—miles away from the noble heart of Matthew Casey. But that contrast is exactly what makes Spencer’s performance so magnetic.

From Firehouse 51 to the Australian Suburbs

“Tony is no Casey,” Spencer said in a recent interview. “He’s not out there saving lives or leading teams into burning buildings. He’s trying to keep his kids in school, his marriage intact, and his dignity in a world that’s moving too fast.”

And yet, the role feels like a natural evolution for the actor. Where Casey battled literal fires, Tony wrestles with the metaphoric ones—generational tensions, economic uncertainty, the erosion of traditional masculinity, and the quiet despair of a man becoming obsolete in his own home.

In many ways, Last Days of the Space Age is a study in contrast: modernity versus nostalgia, change versus resistance, and—most poignantly—fatherhood versus legacy. Tony’s struggle is not to save strangers, but to save the version of himself that still has purpose in a world that no longer runs on his rules.

Spencer shares the screen with a powerhouse ensemble cast, including Radha Mitchell and Deborah Mailman, both of whom deliver equally layered performances as women redefining their roles in this shifting landscape. Together, the cast paints a portrait of an Australia at a cultural crossroads, with the Skylab crash serving as both catalyst and metaphor for larger upheaval.

Beyond the Flames: A Career Reinvention

It’s no secret that long-running TV roles can be both a blessing and a curse for actors. After ten seasons and a global fanbase, Spencer’s association with Matt Casey is indelible. But the risk of being typecast loomed large—until Last Days of the Space Age offered him a role that shattered the mold.

The project not only allowed Spencer to reconnect with his roots—both geographically and creatively—but also positioned him as a leading man in a complex, character-driven narrative that stretches far beyond the firefighter genre.

Industry insiders are already calling Last Days of the Space Age a bold reinvention for Spencer, with early buzz pointing toward award recognition. The series, rich with period detail and social commentary, is being praised for its nuanced take on masculinity and its deft balance between historical drama and emotional intimacy.

For Spencer, it’s a victory on multiple fronts. Not only does the role allow him to stretch his acting muscles, but it also fulfills his personal desire to be closer to family—something he prioritized when stepping back from the relentless filming schedule of Chicago Fire. According to NBC Insider, Spencer’s decision was driven by a need to “reset” after a decade of playing Casey, and to seek roles that offered new challenges and new meaning.

What Lies Ahead for Spencer—and Casey?

As Chicago Fire enters its 13th season, fans continue to speculate about a possible return for Casey in future episodes or even a potential movie adaptation of the One Chicago franchise. And while nothing has been confirmed, Spencer himself hasn’t closed the door.

“Casey will always be part of me,” he told reporters. “But right now, I’m exploring stories that speak to different sides of who I am as an actor—and as a person.”

Indeed, Last Days of the Space Age seems to be a perfect storm of timing, talent, and thematic resonance. For longtime fans of Spencer’s work, the series offers a chance to see a familiar face in a completely unfamiliar world. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to an actor who’s just getting started—again.

Final Verdict

With Last Days of the Space Age, Jesse Spencer trades firehouses for fallout, skyscrapers for suburban tension, and uniformed heroics for personal vulnerability. It’s a bold, riveting, and deeply human turn that proves one thing above all: Spencer is far from finished.

Whether leading the charge at Firehouse 51 or anchoring a 1970s Australian drama, he continues to do what great actors do best—ignite the screen.

Let me know if you’d like this formatted for digital publishing or if you want pull quotes or headline suggestions!