Chicago Fire: Is Jason Pelham going to be 51’s new lieutenant?

Jason Pelham (Brett Dalton) is here to shake things up. The interim Lieutenant has recently joined the Chicago Fire team, and while the character has left a sizable impression on fans, there’s been speculation as to how long he will last.

Pelham was introduced with the specific title of “interim”, which means he is a temporary replacement at Firehouse 51. Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) has not decided which firefighter will take over the position in the long term, so Pelham’s status is very uncertain.

Here’s what you need to know about Pelham and his immediate future at 51.

Is Jason Pelham leaving Chicago Fire?

Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas discussed Pelham during a recent interview with TV Insider. When asked whether the character will stick around for the duration of season 10, Haas hinted at the possibility that he will be replaced before long.

The role of 51 Lieutenant will be a “major storyline” that goes on “through the winter break”, Haas noted. He also went on to reference Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), who passed the Lieutenant’s exam last season and is caught between staying at 51 and transferring to run her own firehouse.

“That becomes a story going forward because the spot on Truck 81 is potentially open and she hasn’t come back to claim it as of the next episode”, Haas teased. It’s recently been confirmed that Kidd will return before the winter break, meaning that she will be back in the mix at 51 very soon.

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Those who have become fans of Pelham, needn’t worry, however. The character still has plenty of exciting and interesting arcs left before his (possible) exit. Joe Minoso alluded to these arcs during a recent chat with TV Insider.

“[The new lieutenant role is] going to manifest itself in a really fascinating way, especially with Gallo [Alberto Rosende] and Mouch [Christian Stolte]” Minoso reasoned. “It’s a really great, great fun arc.”

The reference to Gallo makes plenty of sense, given that Gallo was the squad member who most notably clashed with Pelham during his introduction episode. Gallo failed to follow directions during a call, and Pelham pulled him aside to reprimand him afterwards. The two eventually made up, but it set a precedent for potential disagreements in the future.

Mouch and Herrmann (David Eigenberg) are also leery of Pelham, given his reputation for changing firehouses on a regular basis. Both men vowed to keep an eye on him until they feel like they can properly trust him.

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.