The 3 best (and 3 worst) Chicago Fire characters

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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 01: Cast Member David Eigenberg attends “Top Dog” Winner Makes Cameo On “Chicago Fire” on April 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images) /

Best: Christopher Herrmann

Herrmann (David Eigenberg) can be intimidating when he needs to be, and he sometimes needs to be as the owner of Patty’s Pub, but he’s a sweetheart deep down. He cares about the rest of the 51 team and regularly gives them useful advice. Herrmann is the rare character who is fun to watch regardless of who you pair him with in a given scene.

He also came through in the husband department in season 11. When Herrmann discovered that his wife Cindy (Robyn Coffin) had lung cancer, he went against his own policy and collected gossip from around the firehouse so that he could go home and tell Cindy about it. What a guy.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 29: Actress Caitlin Carver attends the premiere of “Diamond In The Rough” at NeueHouse Los Angeles on June 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) /

Worst: Emma Jacobs

Emma Jacobs (Caitlin Carver) was off from the moment she joined the show in season 10. Everything she said felt as though there was an ulterior motive, and sure enough, there was. She tried to blackmail her way to the top, and her corrupt tactics are even worse in retrospect when you consider she took time away from the short-lived couple that was Hawkins (Jimmy Nicholas) and Violet (Hanako Greensmith).

Jacobs returned for a cameo in season 11, and things got predictably tense with Violet, but she has somehow finessed her way into a higher position. We expect her to return in season 12, but we can’t say we’re looking forward to it.

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