Daniel Kryi (Kid Nation, Chicago Med) will appear on season fourteen of Chicago Fire in limited capacity, according to a recent report from TVLine’s Claire Franken. The actor revealed in an Instagram post that the character of Darren Ritter would return to Firehouse 51 for at least some of the new season, contradicting an April report that indicated he had been written off.
“Back! For a limited time only,” an attendant caption reads, attached to an image of him on-set with fellow actors Hanako Greensmith (FBI, Bull) and Jocelyn Hudon (V Is For Vengeance, When Hope Calls).
Earlier this year, sources told Deadline that Kryi, along with Jake Lockett (NCIS: Los Angeles, Transpecos), who plays firefighter Sam Carver on the show, would not be returning to season fourteen of Chicago Fire. The announcement surprised fans, not only because Darren Ritter had become a series regular (not to mention an important source of representation as an openly gay firefighter), but also because there was no kind of indication in season thirteen that either he or Carver would be leaving Firehouse 51.
“I’ll miss this character, and it’s time to move on,” Kryi stated in an Instagram message to fans after news of his departure broke (via People). “Thank you to the cast, crew & the awesome fans.” Lockett relayed a similar message, writing that “it’s been an honor bringing Sam to life and to every one of you, thank you for the love and support over the past three years.”
Deadline’s original report on the actors’ removal implied that NBC’s decision to write off Kryi and Lockett might be motivated by a desire to reduce Chicago Fire’s budget; until audiences have explicit confirmation, though, the reasons will remain purely speculative. With that said, it seems safe to assume that Kryi remaining screen time will be dedicated towards wrapping up his character arc — and depending on where he ends up, the door might still be open for more potential returns in the future.
Season fourteen of Chicago Fire will premiere on October 1st on NBC.