Chicago Fire fans are still trying to process the explosive Season 14 finale, which left the future of several members of Firehouse 51 hanging in the balance. Now, new comments from Dermot Mulroney have sparked speculation that Chief Dom Pascal’s return to the NBC drama could be short-lived.
Mulroney joined Chicago Fire as Chief Pascal, but his character unexpectedly exited late in Season 14 after being fired by the CFD and accepting a job out of state. While Pascal returned during the season finale to encourage Kelly Severide to pursue a leadership role within the department, the episode offered little indication that he would be rejoining Firehouse 51 on a permanent basis.
Adding fuel to the speculation is Mulroney’s recent appearance on The Tangle podcast, where he revealed that Netflix’s hit drama The Hunting Wives is already gearing up for a third season.
“Season 3 is in prep. I think they’ve got writers in the room, and they’re cooking up a third season already. And that should begin filming in the fall. So, that’s great news for all the fans of The Hunting Wives,” Mulroney shared.
The timing is notable because Mulroney’s previous absence from Chicago Fire coincided with production on The Hunting Wives Season 2. His filming commitments for the Netflix series required him to step away from Firehouse 51 for several episodes.
With The Hunting Wives expected to begin production this fall, it raises questions about how much time Mulroney will be able to devote to Chicago Fire Season 15.
One Chicago shows typically begin production in July, so chances are fans can likely expect Pascal to appear in the Season 15 premiere, especially given his presence during the dangerous building fire that closed out the finale. However, beyond that, his future remains unclear.
From a storytelling standpoint, Pascal’s return as Firehouse 51’s commanding officer could complicate Severide’s potential promotion and undo much of the character development established during Season 14. The show also provided Pascal with a meaningful exit arc when he left Chicago following his firing.
For now, NBC has not announced any casting changes for Season 15, and Mulroney has not confirmed an official departure. Still, his upcoming commitment to The Hunting Wives suggests that Chief Pascal may not be back in Chicago for long.
Chicago Fire returns this fall on NBC.
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