Ritter’s Emotional Departure — But Not a Goodbye

Chicago Fire has been no stranger to emotional exits in recent years, and season 14 has already said farewell to several fan favorites. However, unlike others, Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter may not be gone for good.

In season 14, episode 2 (“Primary Search”), the NBC drama gave fans hope that Ritter’s absence is only temporary. After years of being one of Firehouse 51’s most compassionate and steady presences, Ritter’s decision to step away came from a deeply personal place — one that ties directly to his rekindled relationship with his ex, Dwayne Morris.

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What Happened to Ritter in Chicago Fire Season 14?

The season picks up after several major character shakeups. Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) transferred to Denver, and Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) quietly left for another station. Ritter initially had no plans to go anywhere — until tragedy struck.

At the end of the season 14 premiere, Mouch told Ritter that Dwayne — his ex-boyfriend who had relocated to New York City — had been shot in the line of duty. Without hesitation, Ritter flew to New York to be by Dwayne’s side.

Thankfully, Dwayne survived. But while Ritter sat at his bedside, it became clear that he still had deep feelings for him. The two had previously broken up because Ritter feared commitment and wasn’t ready to move in together. The near-death scare forced Ritter to reevaluate everything.

In episode 2, he makes the decision to take a furlough from the Chicago Fire Department — not a resignation — to spend time in New York with Dwayne and work on rebuilding their relationship.

It’s a bittersweet goodbye. Ritter leaves Firehouse 51 on good terms, with promises that he’ll be back when the time is right.

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A Door Left Wide Open

Unlike previous farewells (see: Severide’s temporary departures or Brett’s relocation), Ritter’s exit was written with clear intention — not as a final goodbye, but as an open-ended pause.

He didn’t resign, wasn’t transferred, and didn’t die on the job. Instead, his leave of absence feels like a narrative placeholder. It’s the writers’ way of keeping the character’s spirit alive within the Firehouse 51 family while giving Daniel Kyri flexibility amid reported budget-related cast cuts at NBC.

Ritter’s storyline feels deliberately unfinished. He’s simply “on leave,” making it easy for the show to bring him back — either for a guest arc or a full return later in the season.

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Showrunner Andrea Newman on Ritter’s Future

In an interview with TV Insider, Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman confirmed what fans were already sensing: Ritter’s story isn’t 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 shared.
“This is what we do on Chicago Fire — we’ll say our goodbyes, and then we’ll see people again. He’s still very much part of our world.”

While there’s no official confirmation yet, Newman’s comments make it clear that the production team wants Kyri back — and that the show’s writers left the door wide open for that possibility.

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Will Ritter Return to Chicago Fire?

All signs point to yes.

• His character is only on furlough.

• His relationships at Firehouse 51 remain intact.

• And the emotional groundwork has been laid for a triumphant, heartfelt return — possibly with Dwayne by his side.

Given Chicago Fire’s long history of resurrecting characters (just ask Severide, Casey, and Brett), Ritter’s reappearance later in season 14 or in a future season feels almost inevitable.