Chicago Fire Comebacks: Every Returning Character Fans Should Watch Right Now

If there’s one thing Chicago Fire keeps proving, it’s this: in the One Chicago universe, exits don’t always mean the door is closed. Some returns are emotional, some are strategic, and some last only a single episode—but they still matter, especially when they reshape ongoing storylines.

As of now, several confirmed comebacks are either already on-screen or locked for upcoming episodes. The biggest near-term return tied directly to Chicago Fire is part of the March 4, 2026 three-show crossover. NBC announced that former Chicago P.D. stars Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos are returning as Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, and the crossover storyline begins with Firehouse 51 responding to a silent passenger jet emergency.

Even though Halstead and Upton are P.D. characters, their return is highly relevant for Fire viewers because this event is built as one connected story across Fire, Med, and P.D.. In the official details shared via press coverage, Upton comes back as an FBI agent tied to a drug task-force case, while Halstead is described as deep undercover and converging on the same investigation. This crossover marks both actors’ first on-screen P.D. appearances since their exits.

On the Chicago Fire side specifically, Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) already made a short return in Season 14, Episode 11 (“Frostbite Blue”), airing January 28, 2026. Reports and episode recap coverage confirm this was a brief comeback: Carver was “passing through” Chicago with his Denver squad and stopped by Firehouse 51 rather than rejoining full-time. So yes—exactly the kind of short comeback you said you wanted covered.

Another key short return: Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri). After exiting as a series regular at the end of Season 13, Kyri confirmed he would return in Season 14 for a limited stint. Multiple outlets reported the same framing—Ritter is back, but only for a brief arc, not a full reinstatement as a regular.

And then there’s one of the most emotional comebacks in recent memory: Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). After stepping away as a series regular, Walker returned for the Season 13 episode “Post-Mortem” (April 16, 2025), in what was promoted as a one-night return tied to a major firehouse investigation after a catastrophic call. It was short, but narratively big—classic Boden energy, high stakes, and a reminder that legacy characters can still anchor major episodes even in limited appearances.

The bigger trend is clear: Chicago Fire is using “targeted comebacks” instead of permanent reversals. Quick returns are now part of the franchise playbook—enough to reward long-time fans, reignite old relationships, and push current arcs forward without fully undoing cast transitions. If NBC keeps this strategy, expect more short but impactful reappearances rather than full-time reinstatements.