‘Chicago Fire’ Says Goodbye to Darren Ritter — But Is It Really the End? Daniel Kyri’s Emotional Exit Leaves the Door Open for a Return
A Bittersweet Farewell at Firehouse 51
Chicago Fire fans said a heartfelt goodbye to Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) in Season 14, Episode 2, “Primary Search.” While the show has seen many emotional exits over the years, Ritter’s departure stands out for being grounded in love rather than tragedy.
After racing to New York in the premiere to care for his ex-boyfriend Dwayne (Samuel B. Jackson) following a shooting, Ritter returned home with a heavy heart. He blamed himself for Dwayne’s injury, believing that if he’d agreed to move in with him, Dwayne might never have taken that dangerous transfer.
But Violet (Hanako Greensmith) wouldn’t let him carry that guilt. She reminded Ritter that he still had a chance to make things right — and not to repeat her mistake of pushing love away. Her words struck a chord, leading Ritter to make the life-changing decision to return to New York for good.
Ritter’s Last Shift
In his final scenes, Ritter revealed to Violet and Chief Kidd that he’d cleared an extended furlough with the CFD, assuring everyone he wasn’t quitting — just “taking time.” His goodbye with Mouch (Christian Stolte) was touching, highlighting their deep bond that’s been a cornerstone of Firehouse 51 for years.
The farewell wrapped with Violet and Novak insisting on driving Ritter to the airport. When Novak teased that it was “only for a few months,” Ritter’s soft, uncertain reply — “We’ll see what happens” — left fans wondering if this move might be permanent.
Will Daniel Kyri Return as Ritter?
There’s good news for fans holding out hope. Showrunner Andrea Newman confirmed to TV Insider that Ritter’s story isn’t completely over.
“He’s there at the beginning of the season, and we hope to see him back at some point later in the season,” Newman teased. “This is what we do on Chicago Fire. We’ll say our goodbyes, and then we’ll see people again. And he’s certainly very much still in the lives of all of us.”
That statement leaves the door wide open for a future appearance — whether as a guest star later in the season or even a full-time return down the line.
A Legacy of Heart and Representation
Ritter’s departure marks the end of an era for Chicago Fire. Over seven seasons, Daniel Kyri’s performance made Ritter one of the show’s most empathetic, genuine, and quietly heroic characters. His portrayal of a proud, compassionate, gay Black firefighter broke ground in network television and resonated deeply with fans around the world.
Though he’s left Chicago for now, Ritter’s presence at Firehouse 51 will be felt for a long time — in every rescue, every laugh at Molly’s, and every moment of brotherhood.