Minoso Leaves Chicago Fire
Joe Minoso Exits Chicago Fire in Season 15 Amid Broader One Chicago Cast Reshuffle.
Key Points
Deadline reports that Minoso’s exit is part of a broader One Chicago reshuffle, noting that LaRoyce Hawkins is also departing Chicago P.D. as part of the same franchise-wide changes.
"After fourteen years, you really do become a family and working with this group will always feel like home," said outgoing showrunner Andrea Newman regarding the long-running ensemble.
As the season 14 finale concluded, Cruz was one of four original Chicago Fire cast members remaining, and NBC had not yet confirmed whether Taylor Kinney, Christian Stolte, or David Eigenberg would return for season 15.
Da’Vinchi is set to join season 15 as a series regular, and Victor Teran will take over as showrunner, succeeding Andrea Newman after 14 seasons.
Joe Miñoso is leaving Chicago Fire after 15 seasons, ending his run as firefighter Joe Cruz — one of the show's original characters since its 2012 debut. Yahoo News reports he will appear in a handful of episodes at the start of season 15 to give Cruz a proper send-off before exiting the NBC drama.
His departure leaves only three original cast members on the show. Season 15 premieres October 7, and it arrives with sweeping changes both on screen and behind the scenes.
From Guest Star to a 15-Season Regular
Miñoso first appeared as a guest star in the Chicago Fire pilot in 2012. He was promoted to a full series regular at the start of season two. Yahoo News notes that he held that role for over a decade, making Cruz one of the longest-running characters in the One Chicago franchise.
As season 14 ended in May, Cruz was one of four original cast members still on the show, alongside David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, and Taylor Kinney. E! Online reported that NBC had not yet confirmed whether all three of those actors would return for season 15.
Season 14 Finale Left Cruz's Story Wide Open
The season 14 finale set up a big moment for Cruz. His wife learned she is pregnant with twins. At the same time, the squad faced a deadly and dangerous blaze. Those storylines will carry into Cruz's final episodes in season 15.
CarterMatt noted that Miñoso's exit follows a similar pattern across the One Chicago franchise. LaRoyce Hawkins is also leaving Chicago P.D. as part of the same wave of departures. The two exits signal a broader reshuffling of the franchise's long-running ensemble.
New Showrunner and New Blood Arrive for Season 15
Behind the scenes, Andrea Newman is stepping down after 14 seasons as showrunner. Victor Teran will take over the role for season 15. Newman reflected on the long run, saying, "After fourteen years, you really do become a family and working with this group will always feel like home."
Da'Vinchi is joining the cast as a new series regular for season 15. Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo are also expected to return as part of the core cast. Finger Lakes 1 described the changes as the end of an original cast era for the show.
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