Daniel Kyri, known for portraying firefighter Darren Ritter on NBC’s Chicago Fire, has hinted at a temporary return for the show’s upcoming 14th season.
The actor took to Instagram, sharing a selfie alongside cast members Jocelyn Hudon and Hanako Greensmith, captioned: “Back! For a limited time only,” accompanied by a peace sign emoji. Another behind-the-scenes shot featured Kyri in full firefighting gear with co-stars David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Miranda Rae Mayo, and newcomer Brandon Larracuente.
-Instagram.
NBC declined to comment, and Kyri’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for further information.
Kyri’s return comes after it was confirmed in April that he would exit the series following Season 13, alongside fellow regular Jake Lockett. Kyri began his run as Ritter in a recurring role and appeared across Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med. His recent storyline involved a relationship with Officer Dwayne Monroe, played by Samuel B. Jackson.
While showrunner Andrew Newman previously said there’s no confirmed plan for Ritter’s departure, he acknowledged “lots of possibilities,” especially given Season 13’s finale tease involving potential layoffs within the Chicago Fire Department.
The exits are reportedly tied to ongoing budget adjustments at Chicago Fire. Sources indicated cost-saving measures, including asking cast members to establish Illinois residency and forgo their standard 5% annual raises, as veteran contracts come up for renewal. Episode counts for next season may also be reduced.
NBC renewed Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med for the 2025–26 broadcast year, though shortened seasons are expected. Despite cast turnover and budgetary challenges, the One Chicago franchise remains one of NBC’s top-performing brands across both linear and streaming platforms.
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