Chicago Fire delivered a dramatic and emotional fall finale on November 12 — but the episode sparked unexpected frustration among viewers after a major, long-running character was simply… missing.

While fans already knew that Miranda Rae Mayo’s Stella Kidd would not appear, the absence of another fan-favorite blindsided audiences: Christopher Herrmann, played by David Eigenberg, was nowhere to be seen in the hour. And unlike Kidd, whose storyline received an on-screen update, Herrmann’s disappearance wasn’t mentioned at all.

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Kidd’s Absence Was Explained — Herrmann’s Was Not

In the episode prior to the finale, Kidd revealed she would temporarily leave Chicago to help Isaiah’s mother transition into a rehab facility in Cleveland. The fall finale even checked in on her off-screen progress.

Herrmann, meanwhile, simply vanished.

There was no conversation, no quick explanation, and no hint from the other characters about where the Firehouse 51 veteran was during such a pivotal episode.

This marks two episodes in a row where Herrmann is missing entirely — without a single line addressing why.

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A Missed Opportunity After His Devastating House Fire

The timing is especially strange given Herrmann’s major ongoing storyline: the trauma of losing his home in a devastating fire. Fans expected the show to provide an emotional follow-up or at least acknowledge that Herrmann might be taking time off to support Cindy and their family.

With a perfect storyline already in place to justify his absence, the silence feels even more noticeable.

Instead, viewers were left wondering why one of the show’s most beloved characters disappeared without mention — particularly in the final episode of 2025.

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Budget-Related Absences Aren’t New — But This One Stung

It’s no secret that Chicago Fire, like many network dramas, sometimes rotates cast members out of episodes for budget reasons. But typically, the writers provide at least a line or two to justify those absences.

Herrmann skipping two consecutive episodes, during a major midseason event, with no acknowledgment, is unusual — and fans weren’t thrilled about losing him in the last episode before the long break.

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The Good News: Herrmann Should Be Back Soon

Fortunately, this isn’t a permanent exit. All signs point to Herrmann returning in the winter premiere on January 7, meaning fans won’t have to wait long to see him back behind the bar at Molly’s and on Truck 81.

Still, the fall finale’s unexplained omission struck a nerve — and highlighted how essential Herrmann is to the heart and humor of Chicago Fire.