'Chicago Fire' Cast: Catch Up with the Stars and See Who's Returning for Season 12 of the Firehouse Drama
Going into its 12th season while many TV dramas have had waning audiences, NBC’s Chicago Fire and its cast remains a hot commodity with a successful formula of heartwarming and often heartbreaking stories. The show, which has aired over 200 episodes since debuting in 2012, is so successful that it’s spawned two popular spinoffs, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med.
Chicago Fire centers on the personal and professional lives of firefighters and paramedics working at the fictitious Firehouse 51 in the Windy City. The cast of characters has evolved considerably since the show debuted over ten years ago, and fans keep tuning in to see their ups and downs and experience the intense and thrilling world of first responders.
In anticipation of the new season debuting on January 17, we're catching up with the Chicago Fire cast.
Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey
Jesse Spencer was a series regular on House before he took up residency at Firehouse 51 as a Lieutenant-turned-Captain Matt Casey. Spencer took a brief hiatus from the series in season 10, but returned for the season 11 finale.
Born in Melbourne, Spencer became well-known for his role as Billy Kennedy in Australia’s favorite soap opera, Neighbours. As Dr. Robert Chase on House, Spencer had his US breakout. Now 44, Spencer has also shown up in movies like Winning London, Uptown Girls and Swimming Upstream.
Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide
In charge of Squad 3, Severide is only third in command to Chief Boden and best friends with Lieutenant Casey. During season four of the series, he began dating fellow firefighter Stella Kidd and the two eventually married in season 10. Kelly’s future in Firehouse 51 is unclear, but since he’s become a fan favorite over the years, he'll hopefully return for season 12.
Kinney began his TV career in the short-lived 2006 nighttime soap Fashion House. He then moved onto another short-lived series, Trauma. He appeared in episodes of Bones, CSI: NY, Castle and Rizzoli & Isles, and had a 10-episode run as Mason Lockwood in The Vampire Diaries. Kinney’s film resume includes roles in the rom-com The Other Woman and the acclaimed war drama Zero Dark Thirty. Now 42, Kinney was also featured in Lady Gaga’s music video for the song "You and I," and the two were even briefly engaged.
Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden
Battalion Chief Wallace Boden is a source of strength and support for everyone at Firehouse 51. While he never hesitates to risk his own life for those on his team, he’s also a dedicated family man.
Born in London, Eamonn Walker had a long career prior to Chicago Fire. He started out as a dancer and began acting in the '80s. Now 61, Walker first made a name for himself in British TV, then went on to appear in movies like Unbreakable, Lord of War and Cadillac Records. From 1997 to 2003, he starred in the gritty prison-set drama Oz.
Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd
In season four, fans of Chicago Fire were introduced to Stella Kidd, starting out at the firehouse as a temporary driver on Truck 81. She later became a permanent driver after the tragic death of a co-worker. Kidd also rose from recurring to main character. Moving on up in season nine, Kidd was promoted to Lieutenant while also getting engaged to Lieutenant Kelly. The two tied the knot in Season 10.
Miranda Rae Mayo, now 33, worked as a model before making her TV debut in a 2011 episode of Law & Order: LA. In 2014 she joined the daytime soap Days of Our Lives as Zoe Browning and stayed on as a recurring character. The next year, Mayo had recurring roles on the hit teen drama Pretty Little Liars, the primetime soap Blood & Oil and the anthology crime series True Detective.
David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann
David Eigenberg plays Christopher Herrmann, the firefighter who rose through the ranks to eventually become the officer in charge of the whole Engine Company 51. Like Chief Boden, Herrmann is seen as a strong father figure to his team, often giving advice and acting as a team leader. When his wife fell ill, Herrmann became more open and accessible to others, revealing his vulnerability.
Best known for his role as Steve Brady, Miranda's husband, in Sex and the City and the show’s reboot, And Just Like That…, Eigenberg, now 59, showed up in various TV shows throughout the '90s, including Homicide: Life on the Street and The Practice. He's also appeared in shows like ER, Monk, Justified, Ghost Whisperer and NCIS and movies like A Perfect Murder and Garfield: The Movie.
Christian Stolte as Randall “Mouch” McHolland
One of the senior firefighters on Truck 81, McHolland is often seen lazing around the station when not on duty. However, he's always a source of support for his co-workers and fans were delighted when he married Sergeant Trudy Platt. After the last season, we can't say for sure whether he's returning to season 12, but we're hoping he does.
Christian Stolte previously had a recurring role in Prison Break. The 61-year-old character actor has also popped up in movies like Ali, Road to Perdition, Stranger Than Fiction, Public Enemies and Law Abiding Citizen.
Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz
Cruz grew up watching gang violence all around him, but he’s an honorable and loving person, both at work as a firefighter and in his home life, where he eventually marries and has a child.
Joe Minoso started out as a theater actor and had his first TV role in 2005, in an episode of Prison Break. The 45-year-old then appeared in shows like The Beast, Shameless and Boss and had a small role as a police officer in the Superman movie Man of Steel.
Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett
Sylvie Brett went from small-town girl to big-city woman when she moved to Chicago and joined the Chicago Fire universe. Kara Killmer joined the cast as the paramedic who replaced Leslie Shay (Lauren German) in the premiere of season three. Eventually, she moved up to become Paramedic in Charge on Ambulance 61. While she's reported to be leaving in the new season, we're looking forward to seeing what's in store before she goes.
Killmer, now 35, started out in the cast of a short-lived Hulu reality web series, If I Can Dream, in 2010. She then had small roles in episodes of Scary Tales, Jane by Design and Special Skills. In 2015, Killmer made her film debut in Beyond the Mask.
Find more of your favorite TV drama stars below!
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