For nearly a decade, Chicago Fire has stood as one of NBC’s defining dramas — a story of courage, loyalty, and family forged in flames. But

when Daniel Kyri, the actor behind beloved firefighter Darren Ritter, quietly exited the show earlier this year, fans were blindsided.

There was no heroic final scene, no bittersweet goodbye. Ritter simply vanished, leaving a gaping hole in the heart of Firehouse 51. And now, Kyri is telling the world why — in his own words.

 

 

Kyri’s revelation confirms what many had feared: his departure wasn’t creative — it was corporate.

“They told me, ‘It’s not about performance, it’s about economics,’” he explained. “That’s a hard thing to hear when you’ve given years of your life to something.”

 

 

NBC’s One Chicago universe — which includes Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med — has reportedly faced sweeping budget reductions since 2023. Cast sizes have shrunk, episodes have been trimmed, and crew members laid off.

 

 

“I saw it happening,” Kyri recalled. “You could feel the change coming, but you never think it’ll hit your storyline until it does.”

“I wanted Ritter to have a proper send-off,” he admitted. “He deserved that. The fans deserved that. But when production tells you there’s no time for another scene, you don’t get to argue. That hurt.”

 

 

Despite the abrupt ending, Kyri remains deeply fond of his castmates. He spoke glowingly of David Eigenberg, Hanako Greensmith, and Miranda Rae Mayo, calling them “family for life.”

NBC’s One Chicago universe — which includes Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med — has reportedly faced sweeping budget reductions since 2023. Cast sizes have shrunk, episodes have been trimmed, and crew members laid off.

For nearly a decade, Chicago Fire has stood as one of NBC’s defining dramas — a story of courage, loyalty, and family forged in flames. But when Daniel Kyri, the actor behind beloved firefighter Darren Ritter, quietly exited the show earlier this year, fans were blindsided.

There was no heroic final scene, no bittersweet goodbye. Ritter simply vanished, leaving a gaping hole in the heart of Firehouse 51. And now, Kyri is telling the world why — in his own words.

Kyri’s revelation confirms what many had feared: his departure wasn’t creative — it was corporate.

“They told me, ‘It’s not about performance, it’s about economics,’” he explained. “That’s a hard thing to hear when you’ve given years of your life to something.”

NBC’s One Chicago universe — which includes Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med — has reportedly faced sweeping budget reductions since 2023. Cast sizes have shrunk, episodes have been trimmed, and crew members laid off.

“I saw it happening,” Kyri recalled. “You could feel the change coming, but you never think it’ll hit your storyline until it does.”

“I wanted Ritter to have a proper send-off,” he admitted. “He deserved that. The fans deserved that. But when production tells you there’s no time for another scene, you don’t get to argue. That hurt.”

Despite the abrupt ending, Kyri remains deeply fond of his castmates. He spoke glowingly of David Eigenberg, Hanako Greensmith, and Miranda Rae Mayo, calling them “family for life.”

NBC’s One Chicago universe — which includes Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med — has reportedly faced sweeping budget reductions since 2023. Cast sizes have shrunk, episodes have been trimmed, and crew members laid off.