Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20 warns fans of cast changes with cruel forced retirement plot

There’s bad news lying in wait for Firehouse 51. With jobs on the line following Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20, some characters will be cut – but who?

We might have seen a cool crossover this week between Chicago Med and Chicago Fire, but that’s basically where the good news ended. All One Chicago shows have been renewed for future seasons, but there’s already a problem for Firehouse 51.

You might have noticed a number of medics were missing from the latest episode of the binge-worthy TV show, with Lizzie Novak and Violet Mikami subtly bowing out. There’s a reason why, though, and it feeds into one of the biggest problems the station has ever faced.

In short, Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20’s storyline ensured job cuts were on the horizon. But with forced retirement comes cast departures, and anybody’s time on screen could soon be finished.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20 teases cast departures with new storyline

In Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20, efficiency expert Ambrose was brought in to confirm he will be making cuts to Firehouse 51. We’ve heard him single out Herrmann and Mouch as possible contenders for the chop, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stop there.

NBC

The team can now expect layoffs and forced retirements, with probationary and older firefighters the first to go (hence Herrmann and Mouch). Ambrose scrutinises everything the team does, including questioning plans made by Hermann. As he put it himself, “Redundancy is the thief of efficiency.”

Mouch has already hit back, though. Towards the end of the episode, he told Ambrose, “Us old timers are not going anywhere.” However, it remains to be seen whether anyone actually has a say in the proposed job cuts, meaning everyone – for now – is at risk.

Of course, there are two easy answers for who goes. Earlier in the year, it was announced Ritter and Carver would be written out, not returning for the upcoming Season 14.

While we don’t know their exact reasons for leaving – no public statements have been made by NBC at the time of writing – there are some rumors that could suggest why. Parent company Wolf Entertainment’s NBC is allegedly making a series of cuts across multiple TV shows including Law & Order, with reduced episodes apparently lined up for multiple long-serving cast members. According to Deadline, even further episode cuts can’t be ruled out.

This means Ritter and Carver’s farewell is likely a knock-on effect of the changes. Sources told the outlet other cast contracts are currently up for negotiations, with renewal talks remaining in place across five NBC shows.

Basically, this means cuts are a real threat to Chicago Fire both on and off-screen. Season 14 has been renewed, though, so it remains to be seen who makes the cut (pun intended).

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