Fans of Chicago Fire witnessed a notable change in the Firehouse 51 roster during the Season 15 premiere, as actor Dermot Mulroney wrapped up his tenure on the show. Mulroney, who joined the series as Battalion Chief Dominic “Dom” Pascal, departed after two seasons, a development first confirmed by Deadline in late July.
Mulroney's character, Dom, played a crucial bridging role following the exit of longtime Chief Wallace Boden, portrayed by Eamonn Walker. Though Dom's initial integration with the team was rocky, his character evolved to become a beloved figure among both viewers and his on-screen colleagues. In his final moments on the show, Dom offered pivotal advice to Severide (Taylor Kinney) regarding the delicate balance between his professional passions, hinting at the challenges ahead for the new leader.
Showrunner Victor Teran shed light on the creative decision behind Mulroney's departure in an interview with Deadline, emphasizing the necessity of his exit to facilitate a major structural change within Firehouse 51. "For the first time in 15 seasons, there’s not going to be a Chief in the house," Teran revealed. This move is designed to elevate Severide into a primary leadership position as the newly appointed Chief of Firehouse 51, a role he chose over an inspector job. Teran further explained, "We needed to close out Dermot to to give space for that."
Despite the sadness of saying goodbye, Mulroney expressed immense gratitude for his time on the set. At a fan convention, he shared, "Loved every minute of it. Became friends with this incredible crew of people." He also acknowledged the "incredible cast" and the "incredibly challenging scenes" that enriched his experience on the show, adding, "We gave it our all for two seasons."
Mulroney's departure from Chicago Fire does not signal a slowdown in his career. He has been busy with other projects, including his role as Jed Banks in the Netflix drama The Hunting Wives, which recently concluded production on its second season and was renewed for a third. Additionally, he has secured roles in two upcoming films, Moon People and the action feature Streets, ensuring his continued presence on screens.