Heading into the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, fans are preparing to say goodbye to two significant characters, but after a tease from the showrunner, it seems like their exits might not be permanent. In April, reports stated that two Chicago Fire season 13 cast members will leave after the finale — Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett. Kyri, who plays Darren Ritter, and Lockett, who portrays Sam Carver, have both been integral parts of the NBC procedural drama. Consequently, their apparent exits came as quite a shock.

Shortly before the premiere of the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, ScreenRant asked showrunner Andrea Newman for more details surrounding Ritter and Carver’s departures. Based on the episodes prior to the finale, it’s unclear how the two characters will be written out of the show. So, many are wondering about (and dreading) Ritter and Carver’s last moments in Chicago Fire. Thankfully, Newman provided more insight into their exits and instilled some hope that their time in the series isn’t over quite yet. Check out Newman’s comments below:

ScreenRant: I have to ask the obvious question. We know that Ritter and Carver are escaping. Will their departures fit into the finale?

Andrea Newman: We haven’t sat down for season 14 yet. We don’t know exactly what we’re going to do. I mean, obviously, they’re not going to be regulars. Whether or not they’re going to be part of stories next season, that’s still up in the air. We love these actors so much and the characters are such an inherent part of the show. There could be explosive endings to these stories, but we could also be winding them in a little bit more. Maybe not as regulars, but seeing them come back and play their stories out. We’ll have to see.

ScreenRant: So they could still return in the future?

Andrea Newman: Yeah, there’s always a chance. Nothing is locked down yet.

What Andrea Newman’s Comments Mean For The Chicago Fire Season 13 Finale & Season 14

Ritter & Carver’s Fates Don’t Seem As Dire

The Chicago Fire showrunner confirmed that neither Kyri nor Lockett will return as series regulars in season 14 (which has already been greenlit by NBC). However, Newman suggested that their characters could return in some capacity. According to her comments, it sounds like Ritter and/or Carver might have a future in the One Chicago universe following the events of the season 13 finale, which indicates that both firefighters survived the Chicago Fire episode.

Chicago Fire has proved it isn’t afraid to kill off important characters. From Shay to Otis, fans have had to watch many of Firehouse 51’s first responders die. So, when learning that Ritter and Carver would be escaping Chicago Fire, their deaths were a very real possibility. Now, though, Newman’s tease regarding Ritter and Carver’s future in the procedural drama implies they’ll survive. The showrunner also made a point to say that their returns are “up in the air,” meaning the season 13 finale could still be Ritter and Carver’s last appearances in Chicago Fire even if they live — anything is possible.

Our Take On Ritter & Carver’s Chicago Fire Exits

Losing The 2 Firefighters Is A Huge Blow To Chicago Fire Season 14

Whether Ritter and/or Carver make it through the Chicago Fire season 13 finale in one piece, their exits remain discouraging. The two firefighters are integral parts of the show’s stories and have formed deep and meaningful connections with other characters. As a result, it’ll be difficult for the procedural drama to move on without them in season 14. On the bright side, Newman’s comments give hope that Ritter and Carver’s time in Chicago Fire isn’t over yet, and they could return in season 14 (just as recurring characters instead of main ones).