Goodbye to Summer Bay: Shane Withington’s Shocking Farewell Stuns Home and Away Fans

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

After saying goodbye to two familiar faces, NBC’s long-running hit Chicago Fire is already turning the page and moving forward with fresh new energy. According to Variety, actor Brandon Larracuente — known for roles in On Call and The Good Doctor — will be joining the firefighting drama as a series regular in Season 14. While details about his character remain tightly under wraps for now, speculation is already swirling that he may be stepping into the boots left behind by Sam Carver or Darren Ritter, or possibly even bringing a new dynamic to Firehouse 51 entirely.

The announcement of Larracuente’s casting comes just weeks after the emotional Season 13 finale aired — and not long after fans were hit with the news that Jake Lockett (Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Ritter) would not be returning as regulars next season. Their exits are reportedly due to budget cuts, a reality that has impacted several long-running TV shows amid shifting network priorities.

In the finale, fans got some hint of closure for Carver, who revealed that he applied for a job with the Denver Fire Department. The twist came when, in a moment of vulnerability, he confessed his feelings to Violet Mikami, culminating in a passionate kiss that left viewers hopeful — and perhaps a bit confused — about his future. Was this goodbye or a new beginning?

By contrast, Ritter’s departure was handled much more quietly. In fact, it wasn’t addressed at all in the final episode of the season, leaving fans uncertain about how or why the character might be stepping away from Firehouse 51. Given Ritter’s steady presence and beloved status among the crew, the lack of an on-screen sendoff felt jarring to many longtime viewers.

Thankfully, showrunner Andrea Newman hasn’t ruled out the possibility of seeing either Lockett or Kyri again. In a recent interview with TVLine, Newman expressed her hope that both actors could return in some capacity to wrap up their characters’ arcs. “It’s a great thing that we have people come and go on this show. They’ll leave and then we’ll get to see them again,” she said, highlighting the show’s tradition of rotating characters in and out as storylines evolve. “It’s like you never know what will happen. Anything could happen with [Carver and Violet]. We love Jake, we love the character of Carver.”

When asked specifically about Ritter’s future, Newman was similarly optimistic. “We’re waiting to see how much time we get with Daniel, who we love, and the character, who we love. There’s lots of possibilities there,” she noted, leaving the door open for a meaningful goodbye — or perhaps even a surprise return down the line.

In the meantime, fans are eager to learn more about Brandon Larracuente’s mystery character. Will he be the confident rookie? A seasoned veteran with a complicated past? A love interest? A rival? The possibilities are wide open, and given Chicago Fire’s track record for emotionally compelling characters and high-stakes drama, expectations are high.

This casting news also follows recent updates confirming the return of key cast members who help anchor the series. Taylor Kinney, who plays the ever-resilient Lieutenant Kelly Severide, and Miranda Rae Mayo as Lieutenant Stella Kidd, have both signed on for Season 14. So has Dermot Mulroney, who made a strong impression as Chief Dom Pascal in Season 13. Their presence will undoubtedly provide some narrative stability as Firehouse 51 continues to evolve.

Chicago Fire has never shied away from change, and that’s part of what has kept it fresh across 13 seasons. Characters leave, hearts break, new bonds are formed, and the calls keep coming. As Season 14 approaches, it’s clear that the writers are once again mixing things up — and bringing in new blood to stoke the flames.

While fans might be sad to see beloved characters go, there’s also plenty of excitement around what’s next. Whether Brandon Larracuente’s character is a hero in the making, a catalyst for drama, or the missing puzzle piece for Firehouse 51, one thing’s for sure: Chicago Fire still knows how to keep audiences hooked.