Is Jesse Spencer leaving Chicago Fire?

Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) has undergone lots of changes on Chicago Fire. The character has gone from standoffish leader to sturdy veteran, and it’s been fun to compare the current version of him to the one fans met in season 1.

Casey is poised for another major change in season 10. The return of Andy Darden’s son, Griffin (Cameron Scott Roberts), has been an unexpected development in Casey’s life, and his decision to take time from work to visit Griffin has some people wondering if the character is headed for a premature exit. Will the beloved Casey hang up his firefighter gear to look after the kids of his fallen friend?

As with every Chicago Fire character, fans have looked at the schedule and comments made by the actors as an indicator of whether they plan to leave. Here’s a rundown on Spencer and whether he has plans to go anywhere.

Is Matt Casey leaving Chicago Fire?

Spencer and the character aren’t going anywhere soon. The actor has discussed various subplots that he’s set to be a part of in season 10, the most notable being the romance between Casey and Brett (Kara Killmer). Given how quickly he would have to leave if it were due to the Griffin Darden subplot, Casey’s friendship with the team and Brett would be short-changed, and that’s the last thing Chicago Fire would want to do.

This isn’t the first time showrunners have flirted with the idea of writing Casey off. In season 9 the character suffered a devastating head injury that impaired his ability to fight fires. For a while, it seemed as though he would have to retire, freeing up Spencer to leave the show if he so chose. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and Casey was able to bounce back from his injuries.

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Showrunner Derek Haas has confirmed that there will be no wedding bells for the 200th episode, meaning the crux of the drama will rely on other subplots. Casey’s decision to adopt Griffin and his little brother Tim might just be the drama the episode needs, and given the significant marker it’ll be for the show, it’s possible Casey could make his exit there.

Possible, but not very likely. The odds are that Casey’s decision will alter his lifestyle (and maybe even his career) but the character will likely remain on the show. The status of Spencer’s contract is unknown, as his last public renewal was in 2019, but the actor has had nothing but good things to say about his tenure and has not signed up for any other major roles. The last time he acted outside of the One Chicago universe was the 2015 film The Girl Is In Trouble.

Fans can rest assured that the Firehouse 51 captain is staying put.

For the latest Chicago Fire season 10 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center