After seven memorable seasons on Chicago Fire, Daniel Kyri has filmed his final scenes as firefighter Darren Ritter. In a heartfelt farewell, Kyri reflected on his time playing Ritter, who was initially supposed to appear in only three episodes but went on to become a beloved character for many years.

A Surprising and Emotional Goodbye

In his farewell statement, Kyri shared his amazement at how his role on Chicago Fire evolved over time. “I’m still so amazed that my first-ever TV gig—a role that was originally meant for just three episodes—turned into seven incredible years,” he wrote. Kyri expressed gratitude to the cast, crew, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his journey on the show, noting that while he would miss his character, it was time for him to move on.

Despite his excitement for new opportunities, Kyri’s departure is a bittersweet moment for Chicago Fire fans, as Ritter was a significant part of Firehouse 51. His exit is tied to budget cuts and the decision to trim the show’s costs. Kyri’s and Jake Lockett’s contracts were not renewed after season 13, marking the end of their tenures on the show.

A Quick Departure Due to Budget Cuts

Kyri’s departure from Chicago Fire was not a creative decision but rather a financial one, as reported by Deadline. Both Kyri and Lockett had their contracts expire, and the actors were let go as part of the effort to reduce the show’s budget. While Lockett’s character was written out in the season 13 finale, Kyri’s exit will come early in season 14, with his final scenes filmed in August 2024.

Despite the brevity of his time filming in season 14, Kyri made it clear that there was no bad blood regarding his departure. He also expressed his appreciation for the entire Chicago Fire team and fans, noting that while he would miss Ritter, it was time to move on and explore new opportunities.

Ritter’s Exit from Firehouse 51

As production on Chicago Fire season 14 began in late July, Kyri filmed his final scenes for just about three weeks. While the exact details of his exit remain under wraps, it’s likely that Ritter will appear in the first few episodes of season 14. Fans are hopeful that Ritter’s exit will be handled with care, allowing the character to leave Firehouse 51 with a fitting farewell.

Given the show’s history of off-screen exits for characters, fans were relieved that Ritter will receive a proper send-off, something that was left unclear in the season 13 finale. The show is known for handling character departures with emotional depth, so it’s likely that Ritter’s exit will not be a simple goodbye but will allow for some closure.

A Potential Future for Ritter?

While it’s still uncertain whether Ritter will be killed off or have a more open-ended departure, there is hope that his story will leave the door open for future appearances. With layoffs being discussed in season 13, there could be room for Ritter to return to the storyline in future episodes.

For now, Chicago Fire fans will have to wait until the fall to see how Ritter’s exit unfolds in season 14. We can expect a fitting tribute to the character and a proper goodbye for the fan-favorite firefighter. Fans continue to hope for the best and look forward to seeing what Kyri has in store for his next chapter.