What happened to Chief Boden on Chicago Fire? Meet his successor taking over Firehouse 51

There's a new boss in town. When Season 13 returns, fans will notice the absence of one of Firehouse 51's beloved original members: Chief Boden. So what happened to Chief Boden and who will replace him this season? Here's everything you need to know to stay up to date.

In May, news outlets reported that original cast member Eamonn Walker would be leaving the series Chicago fire after 12 seasons. A source told Deadline that Boden's character is “still very much alive and well” and that Walker is “expected to return to the series in a recurring role in the future.”

ForbesWhat time does Chicago Fire air tonight on NBC? How to watch season 13From Monica Mercuri

At the time, it was not known how Chicago fire would call out the original cast member, who has been a mainstay of the series since its inception in 2012. There have been numerous cast departures over the years, most recently Kara Killmer leaving her role as Sylvie Brett in episode 6 and Alberto Rosende leaving as Blake Gallo in the season 12 premiere.

Chicago fire Season 13 is expected to pick up right where Season 12 left off, with Chief Boden stepping down as Fire Chief of Firehouse 51. With the arrival of the new boss, the crew will likely face the challenge of adjusting to her leadership. Here's what you should know about Boden's departure last season and who will replace him.

What happened to Chief Boden? Fire in Chicago?

In the season 12 finale, Chief Boden left his role as fire chief of Firehouse 51 and became deputy commissioner of the CFD. Although he was initially hesitant to accept the position, Boden changed his mind when he learned that the department was in jeopardy due to the candidacy of Paramedic Chief Robinson (Laura Allen). Robinson wanted to replace the older generation of firefighters with a new wave of recruits.

Last season was the last time Eamonn Walker was a series regular. Showrunner Andrea Newman previously told it TV Insider that Boden's exit was a natural progression of the character's storyline.

ForbesWhy is Chief Boden leaving Chicago Fire? Eamonn Walker's departure explainedFrom Monica Mercuri

“Boden has navigated a lot of changes at home (with his stepson James) and at age 51, and learned a lot along the way, including about himself,” Newman told the site on May 19. “A shocking incident in the finale will highlight what it means to him to be a leader, and everyone close to him will have a big impact on the decision he makes.”

Who is Chief Boden's successor, Chief Pascal, in Chicago fire?

NBC announced that Dermot Mulroney has been cast as Boden's replacement for the upcoming season of Chicago fire. Mulroney will portray Dom Pascal, a veteran Chicago firefighter who has worked as a fire chief in Miami for a decade. Now Pascal is moving back to Chicago to take the job. Pascal is estranged from his wife Monica, which will play a role in his storylines this season.

Newman teased that Boden's replacement will shake things up this season. “What brought him (Pascal) here will be revealed in the premiere,” she explained. He's a completely different kind of leader than Boden, who was already a father figure when he left home.

She added that Pascal “is enigmatic, he wants to uncover the layers of firefighters to find out more about them as firefighters and people, because for him knowledge is power. “He has his eye on people who cross the line.”

Will Chief Boden return? Chicago fire Season 13?

The good news is that Chief Boden is expected to return for season 13. Andrea Newman confirmed that Walker will appear in season 13, but not immediately.

“We have a mantra,” Newman told TVInsider: “We say once a part of 51, always a part of 51. That's especially true for Boden because he's still in the CFD.” So yes, we plan to have him to see, even if not immediately.”

Chicago fire airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.