There is a major shake-up coming to the Windy City. Just as Firehouse 51 finds its footing, a familiar face is taking a leave of absence while a formidable new Chief prepares to move in.
Deadline reports that Dermot Mulroney will be going on a temporary hiatus from his role as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal. Fans of the rugged leader don't need to panic just yet, Mulroney is confirmed to appear in the highly anticipated #OneChicago Crossover Event airing Wednesday, March 4, as well as the episode immediately following.
After that, Pascal will be off-camera for several weeks, with the potential for a "hero’s return" in the Season 14 finale. Throughout this season, we’ve seen Pascal wrestling with brutal budget cuts and flirting with the idea of running for public office to fix the system from the top down. This hiatus could be the perfect narrative bridge to see him launch a political campaign.
To fill the leadership vacuum, Chicago Fire is welcoming veteran actor Rob Morgan (Mudbound, Stranger Things) in a recurring role as Battalion Chief Hopkins. According to the report, Hopkins brings a "complicated history" and a reputation for being an iron-fisted leader who has overseen several Chicago houses.
Unlike Pascal’s more measured approach, Hopkins is described as being quick to assert authority, which almost guarantees friction with the veteran crew at 51. He is set to debut in Episode 16 and will appear in a four-episode arc that carries us straight into the season finale.
Mulroney’s hiatus feels like a strategic move. Pascal has been spread thin trying to manage multiple houses during the budget crisis, and stepping away to pursue a political run would be a natural evolution for his character. However, bringing in a "hard-nose" like Rob Morgan suggests that 51 is in for a rocky spring. Morgan is an incredible actor who excels at playing characters with gravitas—expect some major fireworks when he meets Severide and Kidd.
What do you think of Mulroney’s hiatus news? Is Pascal setting up a run for Mayor, or is he just burnt out from the budget battles? And how do you think 51 will handle Chief Hopkins' "assertive" leadership? Leave a comment below!
You can catch One Chicago Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.
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