The long‑running drama returned on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, as Chicago Fire Season 14 launched with Episode 1, titled “Kicking Down Doors.” The show airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC, with episodes available the next day on Peacock.
Where & When to Watch
The Season 14 premiere aired live at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. For viewers unable to catch the broadcast, the episode is available to stream the following day on Peacock.
Who’s In — and Who’s Out
Season 14’s core cast includes Taylor Kinney, Miranda Rae Mayo, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Joe Miñoso, Hanako Greensmith, Jocelyn Hudon, and Dermot Mulroney. A major new addition is Brandon Larracuente as Firefighter Sal Vasquez, who makes his debut in Episode 1.
The premiere also confirms the exits of Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) and Jack Damon (Michael Bradway). Carver is said to have left Chicago to start fresh in Denver, while Damon transferred to a different firehouse. Execs had already announced that Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett would not return as regulars. However, Kyri has since confirmed a limited return, posting “Back! For a limited time only ✌🏾” on Instagram.
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Episode 1 Recap: A Harsh New Beginning
The premiere wastes no time delivering emotional blows. It opens with shocking news: Stella Kidd’s pregnancy is a false positive. The labs show she was never pregnant — a reversal that hits both her and Kelly Severide hard. As Tell‑Tale TV put it: “Stella and Kelly learn that Stella is no longer pregnant, potentially sending their trajectory of starting a family in another direction.”
Severide immediately counsels her: she has nothing to apologize for. The couple also pauses plans for adoption, though the episode ends with Terry asking them to reconsider fostering a teenager.
Meanwhile, Firehouse 51 copes with staffing changes. Having lost Carver and Damon, the house now welcomes Sal Vasquez — a cocky newcomer thrown into the deep end. His entrance is immediate and controversial. On their first call, he swerves to chase a burning vehicle without orders, prompting Kidd to confront him. That bold move triggers questions. Kidd later requests his files from Chief Pascal, but Pascal refuses.
Vasquez also hides an injury from the team, and his refusal to report it raises concerns. Pascal later tells Kidd this is his “last chance in the CFD” and insists Vasquez must remain at 51.
Elsewhere, Ritter has recently resumed texting Dwayne, though Dwayne abruptly stops responding. Ritter asks Mouch and Trudy to look into it. Herrmann — newly stepping back from full lieutenant duties — struggles with ceding authority. He begins to share his office with Mouch.
On the city front, Chicago is under strain. Budget cuts drive rig reductions on a rotating basis, and dispatchers like Violet and Novak face heavier workloads. During a violent call, Firehouse 51 responds to a man shot in an alley, only to be met with gunfire themselves — and CPD doesn’t show.
Thematic Takeaways & What’s Next
The premiere establishes a darker, uncertain tone. The reversal of Stella’s pregnancy announcement feels abrupt — one critic calls it a “gotcha” moment rather than a meaningful development. Still, it foregrounds trauma, trust, and how the characters will adapt under pressure.
Sal Vasquez is clearly the linchpin of the season’s intrigue. His backstory, hidden injury, and bold tactics immediately provoke suspicion. His tension with Kidd and his backing by Pascal suggest secrets to come.
Cast shakeups loom large. With Carver gone and Damon transferred, the house is thinner than ever. Ritter’s exit arc is hinted at. Meanwhile, Daniel Kyri’s limited return may give fans some closure.
Between emotional upheaval, personnel instability, and citywide strain, Firehouse 51 begins this season under siege. The premiere successfully throws new problems at its characters — but whether they’ll survive them is another question entirely.
Next week, Episode 2 airs on October 8, 2025, and the stakes will only get higher as Chicago Fire Season 14 continues.
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