Chicago Fire delivered another heartfelt goodbye this week, as Daniel Kyri’s beloved character Darren Ritter departed Firehouse 51 after seven years on the hit NBC series.

A Farewell With Heart

In the October 8 episode, Ritter made a life-changing decision to leave Chicago and reunite with his ex-boyfriend, Dwayne (played by Samuel B. Jackson). After rekindling their connection, Ritter revealed he would be heading to New York City to start fresh — but not before reassuring his team that this wasn’t a full goodbye.

“I’m not quitting,” he told his fellow firefighters. “It’s just an extended furlough.”

Still, in a bittersweet twist, Ritter later admitted, “We’ll see what happens,” hinting that his departure may be longer — or even permanent.

Daniel Kyri Reflects on Seven Years as Ritter

Following the episode’s release, Kyri took to Instagram to express gratitude and emotion over his final days on set.

“Yesterday, I filmed my last scenes as Ritter, and I’m still amazed that my first-ever TV gig — meant for just three episodes — turned into seven incredible years,” he wrote. “While I may never find another cast and crew as amazing as this one, I intend to carry what I’ve learned from you to every set in the future.”

The 30-year-old actor thanked fans for embracing Ritter “for every aspect of his humanity” and praised his co-stars for their loyalty and compassion.

Kyri also reflected on the importance of portraying one of television’s few openly gay Black firefighters:

“His heroism is fortified by the way he navigates the world — a gay Black firefighter who is proud, fierce, loyal, and whole — a possibility I never got to see on screen in my childhood but desperately craved. You made history. Thank you so much, Darren Ritter. And goodbye.”

Will Ritter Return?

While Chicago Fire has officially written Ritter out of Firehouse 51, the door remains open for a future return. His farewell was left intentionally flexible, suggesting that his “furlough” could lead to guest appearances later in the season or beyond.

Fans remain hopeful that his storyline isn’t over. After all, Chicago Fire has a long history of bringing back departed characters for special episodes — and Ritter’s absence will undoubtedly leave a void at 51.

More Exits Rock Firehouse 51

Kyri’s exit comes amid a wave of cast changes within the One Chicago universe. Jake Lockett, who plays Sam Carver, also confirmed his departure earlier this year after joining in 2022. “While I don’t exactly know what the future looks like,” Lockett wrote on Instagram, “I do know that it won’t be exactly what it was, and I am going to miss the hell out of that.”

As Chicago Fire gears up for its fourteenth season, fans are bracing for a changing lineup — but Daniel Kyri’s impact as Ritter will be remembered as one of the show’s most powerful and authentic portrayals.