It’s been nearly two years since Jesse Spencer last appeared on Chicago Fire. After 9 seasons as a series regular playing Matt Casey, Spencer stepped back from the show in its tenth season in a sudden and unexpected departure.
Following his initial exit in the fifth episode of season 10, which just so happened to also be the show’s 200th episode, Casey returned occasionally after in a number of guest apperances. He popped in for the season 10 finale to attend Severide and Kidd’s wedding; returned in season 11, episode 18, to help work alongside Kidd as a part of a special task force; and dropped in for the season 11 finale, where he proposed to Brett.
Casey’s final appearance then came in season 12, episode 6, “Port in the Storm,” when Casey returned to town for his wedding to Brett. After getting married, Casey and Brett left town for Portland, where Casey had previously relocated after becoming the legal guardian of the Darden boys.
Given how Spencer had returned off and on following his initial exit, fans had hoped to see Casey back again after the wedding. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. However, the latest development in Herrmann’s story could create a fun storyline to bring Casey back for a guest appearance on Chicago Fire.
Chicago Fire should bring Casey back to help Herrmann rebuild his home
Herrmann began Chicago Fire season 14, episode 11, “Frostbite Blue,” updating Mouch on his and Cindy’s efforts to find a more permanent home following their house fire. While the couple hoped to be able to rebuild on the lot of their original home, the costs for doing so were more than the couple could afford, and it seemed like an unlikely option.
Then fate stepped in. After responding to a call that involved a notorious defense attorney known for ambulance-chasing, Herrmann realized that he shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. In speaking with the attorney after delivering the incident report to help clear his name from any wrongdoing, the attorney explained to Herrmann how he always fought for the little guy and to get justice for them.
Following the conversation, Herrmann enlisted the attorney’s help in going after the company behind the faulty oven that caused the fire. This led to a large settlement, which was enough to cover the costs for rebuilding on the lot where their old home had stood.
With Herrmann about to begin the process of rebuilding his family home following the fire, we can’t think of a better person to call upon for some assistance and advice than Casey.
Fans will recall that Casey worked in construction on the side and even had his own construction company, so it would make sense for Herrmann to call upon his friend for help as he begins the rebuilding process. It would be so fun to see Casey come back to town to help Herrmann with the rebuilding efforts and lend his knowledge of construction to assist his friend in taking the best steps possible in rebuilding.
While we know it would be unlikely for Casey to actually stick around and oversee the job, it would still be fun for him to come in to help Herrmann out and ensure his friend was not taken advantage of by a contractor. Plus, it would be a natural way to bring Casey back for a rare guest appearance in which he could also catch up with some of his fellow former 51 team members outside the firehouse and give fans an update on what he’s been up to since we last saw him.
Now, the odds of this actually happening seem low, but we can only hope that the writers might see the unique opportunity they have in the construction storyline and how it could be used to bring Casey back.