Actor Dermot Mulroney, who portrays Battalion Chief Dom Pascal on NBC's Chicago Fire, will go on hiatus during season 14 following his character's storyline developments. The departure comes amid budget challenges at the firehouse and Pascal's considerations for public office. A new character, Battalion Chief Hopkins, will fill in during his absence.
In a recent announcement, Dermot Mulroney is stepping away temporarily from his role as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal on Chicago Fire. According to Deadline, Pascal's hiatus stems from a plotline requiring off-camera time, starting after Mulroney appears in the upcoming #OneChicago crossover episode airing on March 4 and the following episode. There is potential for his return by the season's end.
Throughout season 14, Pascal has navigated budget cuts at Firehouse 51 and contemplated running for public office to effect broader changes. This storyline may tie into his temporary exit, though specifics remain unclear.
Filling the void, Rob Morgan joins the cast in a recurring role as Battalion Chief Hopkins, debuting in episode 16 and appearing in four episodes, including the finale. Hopkins brings a complicated history from overseeing other Chicago firehouses and is described as quick to assert authority over colleagues.
Meanwhile, the series continues to evolve with other cast dynamics. Jake Lockett reprises his role as Sam Carver in an upcoming episode, returning to Firehouse 51 and clashing with firefighter Vasquez over their shared interest in Violet. Carver, who left for Denver after confessing his love to Violet ahead of season 14 due to budget trimming, states in a promo, "Violet deserves the best," prompting Vasquez to respond, "I'm sorry, do we have a problem?"
Recent episodes have also explored tensions in Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd's marriage, triggered by the loss of their foster child Isaiah and Severide's focus on an arson investigation involving Van Meter. The couple reconciles after Severide shares that Van Meter has regained consciousness, highlighting the strains of their demanding careers.
These changes reflect ongoing shifts in the long-running procedural drama, blending personal and professional challenges at Firehouse 51.
