Change will be in the air when Chicago Fire season 15 begins with a wave of cast shakeups coming fans’ way. At least two series regulars will be exiting the show at the top of the season via the departures of Dermot Mulroney (Dom Pascal) and Joe Minoso (Joe Cruz). We say at least as there is still a chance another name could be added to that list given the manner in which season 14 ended with multiple characters’ lives on the line.Â
We don’t quite know who will make it out of the season-ending fire alive, but what we do know is that Firehouse 51 is about to welcome a few new faces to the mix, it seems.Â
Initially, we expected just one new firefighter to join the team at 51 when it was announced that Da’Vinchi would be joining Chicago Fire as a new series regular. Da’Vinchi is set to play firefighter candidate Marcus Burke, a “roguish and funny” new probie looking to prove his worth at one of Chicago’s busiest firehouses.Â
The addition of Da’Vinchi to the cast made sense given we knew Cruz would be leaving the show somehow. What we did not account for was that he would be one of many new probies who will apparently be passing through 51 this fall.Â
According to star Jocelyn Hudon, Firehouse 51 will be welcoming a bunch of new probies in the season ahead.Â
 "We on Chicago Fire have a bunch of new probies [probational firefighters], so that is very exciting for us, and I know the audience is going to love them,” Hudon revealed to E! News.Â
While Hudon did not further elaborate on the circumstances in which we see this influx of new probies coming to Firehouse 51, it is interesting that Da’Vinchi’s Marcus Burke will not be the only new face rotating through the firehouse—especially given the current state of the CFD.Â
The past two seasons of Chicago Fire have put a major focus on the CFD being strapped for cash and making difficult budget cuts. These budget cuts have played a major role in the show’s storylines, resulting in layoffs, shifts in resources, and reduced hours for the firefighters of not just 51 but also within the CFD at large. Given that the CFD has been actively reducing hours and headcount, it’s interesting to know that we’re about to see a wave of new probies join the cast.Â
The most likely reason 51 would see an influx of probies would be because it suddenly has multiple vacancies to fill. We know that Cruz will be leaving, so that opens up a spot on Squad, and there's always a chance that there could be further vacancies depending on whether anyone is impacted by the season finale cliffhanger. We also know that there were several positions never backfilled as no one was ever brought on to replace Ritter or Carver following their departures.Â
Given that Da’Vinchi is the only new series regular confirmed to join the cast, we have to assume he’ll be joining Squad 3 as their new probie as Cruz’s replacement. What we’re eager to see is how the rest of these newbies fit into the equation. It’s always fun when fresh faces enter the mix, and you never know when a guest arc could develop into something more if the fans take to a particular character!Â
The good news is that Hudon’s comment seems to hint that these newbies will be a lovable bunch, and that’s certainly a relief. The last thing we want to see is a wave of troublemakers or characters who are going to stir the pot in an overly negative way. We already got a dose of that with Chief Hopkins’ arc in the closing episodes of season 14 and deserve a break at least to start the season.
Chicago Fire season 15 premieres Wednesday, October 7 at 9/8c on NBC!
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