Chicago Fire’s Eamonn Walker Exits as Series Regular After 12 Seasons
One of Chicago Fire‘s original cast members is officially done battling blazes full-time.
Eamonn Walker will exit the long-running NBC drama as a series regular after playing Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden for 12 seasons, our sister site Deadline reports. The actor will not be entirely missing from the show, as he is expected to appear in a recurring capacity in the future, per Deadline. (The series was already renewed for a 13th season this past March.)
Boden has been M.I.A. recently, with Severide stepping in as the firehouse’s ranking officer in his absence. The chief, however, will return in the May 22 season finale, when “Boden makes a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner,” per the official synopsis.
Walker has starred on the show since its 2012 debut and was one of five remaining series regular from the first season. (The others are Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte and Joe Minoso.) His departure comes following the exit of Kara Killmer as paramedic Sylvie Brett, who married Matt Casey (played by former series regular Jesse Spencer) and moved to Portland with him in the season’s sixth episode. Additionally, Alberto Rosende, who played firefighter Blake Gallo, departed in the Season 12 premiere.
Fire isn’t the only #OneChicago series that will bid adieu to a longtime cast member this month: Tracy Spiridakos, who plays Detective Hailey Upton, will say farewell to P.D. in the Season 11 finale, airing on May 22.
Chicago Fire Season 12 is currently airing Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC. Hit the comments with your reactions to this latest #OneChicago departure!
Sorry to see him go. He was good leader to the fire department being stern but fair.
Hate to see him go love this show!!!!
This one hurts. I love Eamonn.
As in real life, people move on from jobs or retire. Looks like other things are on the horizon for Boden. I am glad that the character will be around even if it is in a limited capacity.
I’m so mad Chicago Fire is one of the best long running series I’ve been watching since Season One.And so Many have left that started on the show.Now Bolden is leaving I don’t think I’ll be watching Chicago Fire any longer.
End of a Chicago era. As of now Severide even as a guest star is the last of the original cast. Wonder what will happen new Chief or will someone be promoted from within.
David Eigenberg is original cast too. And Joe and Christian have been around since episode 1, even though they were technically recurring cast during season 1.
And Capp!
Not quite. Per this article,
“Walker has starred on the show since its 2012 debut and was one of five remaining series regular from the first season. (The others are Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte and Joe Minoso.)”
A Captain for the shift would make sense – Severide if he stays – or maybe Kidd. There has always been a ‘reality problem’ with Boden always appearing alongside just one shift in 1 firehouse, where as a Deputy District Chief he would have dozens of firehouses. Also, nobody was promoted to Battalion Chief when Boden became DDC – oh and both BC or DDC would be on normal hours – not shiftwork.
As the article states Taylor Kinney (Severide) is not the last of the original cast. The characters of Cruz, Mouch and Hermann are still in the show. It looks like he will be in a limited role as I believe as Deputy Commissioner. He will be missed for sure but at least he isn’t gone completely.
Looks like more belt tightening at One Chicago world.
Yup. Get rid of a few long term cast members saves a lot of money.
Not necessarily. While budget cuts may be the reason for this, it is also possible that after 12 seasons he wants to move on. There is a lot of room when it comes to recurring characters. Does he appear in 4 episodes or 10 episodes? If it’s 4 episodes, it wouldn’t take long to film his scenes especially if we see him in Molly’s. Having Herman or Kidd saying last shift was “a tough one” and Boden offering advice could fit numerous situations even if they change what they originally planned. That would allow the actor to pursue other roles if he so chooses.
He’s always been great in the show – but his tone of voice has always been so hard for me to hear that I have to turn it up when he speaks or use subtitles.
Same here.
I was never able to really hear him speak clearly.
As a side note, he actually is British and speaks with a very strong accent.
Best of luck, Wallace!
So sorry to hear that Eamonn Walker is leaving the show. He is one of my favorites. I will miss him. I already miss Kara. I loved Sylvie Brett.
What is happening to all the these great series regulars leaving all of these shows? The one that upsets me most is Forrester leaving FBI International. The Chicago shows are always losing great people and I can hardly watch Chicago PD anymore. Now Fire is losing Boden!!!
Eventually you want different acting challenges.
Actors/actresses have a good luxury in how they can choose to go from one show to another when contracts are up. Only so much material can be written.
He will be misssed. Bowden was a class act i thought. Haley on the other hand for me will not be missed, she is just too dramatic for me. Love all the Chicago’s though, great job Dick Wolf.
As sad as I will be to not see him every week, at least he will still be on the show. I would have been more upset if he was completely leaving.
What??!! Oh wow, that’s disappointing. I feel like he’s the backbone & father figure of the show. Sorry to hear he’s moving on.
That’s too bad, Chief was a real staple with the show!! He will sure be missed.
Wow this stinks. It will make a huge difference without him there.
I hope it was his choice…what’s going on behind the scenes of these Dick Wolf shows??
Maybe he’s cutting back because he wants to return to the UK and be with his family. Also, maybe throwing his accent for 12 years is taking a toll on his voice.
Oh, say it aint so.
Chicago Fire is in trouble with this move.
I love the show, and hope this is not the beginning of the end.
“Lets go, Lets go, Lets go”.
The character is clearly promoting up so it wouldnt make sense for him to be in the firehouse all the time. Itll be interested to see who takes his place. Id guess Severide.
Who knows how long Severide will even be a staple in this show. Seems unpredictable.
I remember the producers or writers saying in an interview on here a few years ago that if Eammon Walker left that would be the end of the show. At least he’s going to be recurring. Boden is the heart and backbone of 51. I really missed his calming presence in the last episode.
We won’t recognize this show anymore which is very sad since the chemistry, good writing & great acting is why we loved this ensemble
I hope this means he will get the Deputy Commissioner job and appears in that capacity periodically. He is my favourite character in the show so it will be a shame to see him not around but after 12 years it is understandable.
So he’s gonna run (and win) to stop this new emotionless firefighters/paramedics from taking over. And in doing so, we’ll only see him when absolutely necessary.
Severide becomes Chief (maybe) and Cruz gets his position.
Severide would be the most active chief ever.
Based on how much they have made Stella into a Mary Sue with the crazy speed of her promotions so far and the way she is written almost like she can never be wrong then I really wouldn’t be surprised if they find a way of suddenly making her Chief
They don’t have to make Severide a Chief. They can promote him to Captain. It was previously stated that a Captain could be officer in charge. Now the question is, is Taylor Kinney here for the long term? If not, how about Captain Herman. Either way Cruz becomes Lieutenant and ultimately takes over Squad 3.
I love him as chief Boden.
Why is everyone leaving Chicago fire? It sucks that all the great main characters are leaving. The show won’t be the same, it’s sad.
horrific writing. my God.
Maybe now we’re might get a new storyline that isn’t “somebody wants to get rid of Boden”.
we*
It’s not gonna be the same….no one can fill them shoes.
So sad! Great actor & the show will not be the same without all the originals leaving..
sad that all good things come to an end. The show is slowly reaching an end☹️☹️