Eamonn Walker, who has portrayed Wallace Boden on Chicago Fire since the show’s premiere in 2012, is leaving the series after 12 seasons. Walker’s character, Boden, has been a beloved fire chief on the show, starting as Battalion Chief of Battalion 25 and later being promoted to Deputy District Chief. He is now competing for the role of Deputy Fire Commissioner with Chief Robinson. Walker has also appeared on the Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med spinoffs.
While it is unclear why Walker is leaving Chicago Fire as a series regular, showrunner Andrea Newman hinted that Boden’s exit is a natural progression for the storyline. In Season 12, Episode 9, Boden took a leave of absence to support his stepson, James, following his mother’s imprisonment. Newman revealed that a shocking incident in the Season 12 finale will highlight what being a leader means to Boden, impacting everyone close to him in a significant way.
Deadline reported on May 7 that the 61-year-old British actor was stepping away from the long-running firefighter drama. However, Boden’s character is still very much alive and well, and Walker is expected to return to the show in a recurring capacity in the future. His final episode will be in the Season 12 finale, titled “Never Say Goodbye,” airing on May 22, 2024. In this episode, Boden will make a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner, bringing up painful memories for other characters.
Walker’s departure comes after several other cast changes on Chicago Fire this season. Kara Killmer left her role as Sylvie Brett after getting married to Matthew Casey, while Alberto Rosende’s character, Blake Gallo, also said goodbye to the series in the Season 12 premiere. Taylor Kinney took a sudden leave of absence last year, causing his character, Severide, to miss a few episodes. After Walker’s exit, there will be four original firefighters remaining on the show, including Kinney, David Eigenberg, Joe Minoso, and Christian Stolte.
As fans prepare to say goodbye to Eamonn Walker’s character on Chicago Fire, speculation continues about how Boden’s departure will impact the show moving forward. With multiple original cast members having left the series in recent seasons, viewers can expect to see new dynamics and storylines develop as the show continues to evolve. While Walker may be leaving as a series regular, his character will leave a lasting impact on fans and the Firehouse 51 crew.
