Chicago Fire Season 15: Renewal status and Dermot Mulroney hiatus explained

NBC’s long-running firefighting drama Chicago Fire continues to remain one of the network’s most popular scripted shows. As Season 14 progresses, fans are already looking ahead to Season 15, eager to know whether the series will return, who will remain in the cast, and how recent character developments could shape the future of Firehouse 51.

Chicago Fire Season 15

As of now, NBC has not officially renewed Chicago Fire for Season 15. However, the show is widely expected to return due to its strong performance in ratings and its importance to NBC’s Wednesday night lineup. The series is a key part of the One Chicago franchise, which also includes Chicago Med and Chicago P.D., and has consistently remained among the network’s most watched dramas.

Renewals for the franchise typically arrive in the spring. For example, Season 14 was confirmed in May 2025, meaning a similar timeline could be expected for Season 15 if NBC continues its usual pattern.

Expected release window

If the series receives another renewal, Chicago Fire Season 15 will likely premiere in fall 2026, possibly in late September or early October. The show traditionally airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, between Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. as part of the network’s prime-time lineup.

Dermot Mulroney’s exit

One of the biggest developments affecting the storyline involves Dermot Mulroney, who plays Battalion Chief Dom Pascal. Reports indicate that Mulroney appears in several early Season 14 episodes before taking a temporary hiatus from the show.

Notably, Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 14 set up a storyline specifically designed to accommodate Mulroney’s temporary exit, allowing the show to explain his character’s absence within the narrative.

During this period, actor Rob Morgan joins the cast as Battalion Chief Hopkins, a new character who temporarily oversees Firehouse 51 while Pascal is away. It remains unclear whether Mulroney will return full-time in future episodes or if leadership at the firehouse will shift again.

Expected cast for Season 15

While NBC has not confirmed the full cast for the next season, several main characters are expected to remain central to the story at Firehouse 51.

Likely returning cast members include:

• Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide
  
• Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd
  
• David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann
  
• Christian Stolte as Randall “Mouch” McHolland
  
• Joe Miñoso as Joe Cruz
  
• Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami
  
• Jocelyn Hudon as Lizzy Novak
  
• Brandon Larracuente as Sal Vasquez
  
• Dermot Mulroney as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal
  

These characters currently form the core team responding to emergencies across Chicago.