EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett will not be returning to NBC’s Chicago Fire if the show is renewed for a 14th season, sources tell Deadline. Kyri has been on the hit firefighter drama for seven seasons, Lockett for three.
The move comes amid rumblings about cuts across Wolf Entertainment’s NBC series ahead of their likely renewals for next season. As a cost-saving measure, the Chicago and Law & Order series two years ago reduced the number of episodes for most longtime cast members. It is unclear yet whether the belt-tightening this time will involve further episode reductions, but it is a possibility.
Kyri and Lockett’s departures are believed to be part of an effort to trim the budget of Chicago Fire, which also faces negotiations with many of the series’ veteran cast members whose contracts are up, sources said. As actor deals are getting renegotiated and renewal talks between NBC and producing studio Universal Television on the five Wolf Entertainment series for the network continue, there could be more exits across all five shows, we hear.
Sources close to production reveal that shooting continues on Chicago Fire, which means Darren and Sam may get a proper ending for their characters. Thirteen seasons in, the One Chicago mothership remains one of NBC’s best performing scripted series on both linear and streaming.
Reps for NBC, Universal TV and Wolf Entertainment declined comment.
Kyri joined Chicago Fire in Season 7 as Firefighter Darren Ritter in a recurring role before getting promoted to the main cast two seasons later. Darren is well-liked and respected among his peers and has come a long way since he was a firefighter candidate. The recent focus of the character has been around his love life, with Season 12 and Season 13 delving into his relationship with Officer Dwayne Monroe. The pair parted ways because Darren wasn’t ready to move in with Dwayne.
Lockett has portrayed Firefighter Sam Carver since Season 11. He also started on the show in a recurring role before getting bumped up to the main cast two seasons later. His storyline seemed to wane after his relationship with Violet ended, leading him back to the destructive behaviors he had worked so hard to improve upon. He also found himself in the arms of a former girlfriend who, as a party girl, was probably not the best choice for a sober person to reignite a relationship with. He eventually relapsed and entered a 12-step program and rehab. Since then, Sam has been working hard to redeem himself at the firehouse and with Violet, who have since renewed their friendship.
