The actor behind Firehouse 51’s Chief Dom Pascal is saying goodbye to the NBC drama. Dermot Mulroney has confirmed that he is leaving Chicago Fire after two seasons on the show. The 62-year-old actor, known for films like My Best Friend’s Wedding and Scream VI, made his debut as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal in Season 13 back in 2024. Now, his time at Firehouse 51 is coming to an end early in the upcoming Season 15.
Mulroney broke his silence over the weekend at the Flashback Weekend horror convention in Chicago, which took place on August 1 and 2. He spoke openly about his departure, confirming that his character is being written off the show. The news first surfaced on July 31, when outlets reported that Mulroney would be leaving the series.
Mulroney Calls Exit ‘Bitter’ Despite Loving His Time on the Show
During his appearance at the convention, Mulroney did not hold back his feelings about leaving. He told fans that he had filmed his final scenes and will only appear in one more episode of Season 15. He finished filming that episode on July 28.
“This season, sadly, I have one episode. I finish on Tuesday, and they write the character off. So, we gave it our all for two seasons. They wrote an incredible storyline that put me as an actor on high challenge. So, I loved every minute of it. Sad to see it go.”
Mulroney also spoke about what the show means to first responders and their families. He shared that many people approach him for autographs, not for his movie roles, but for his Chicago Fire character.
“I can’t tell you how many people come up and they’d much rather have an autograph on ‘Scream VI,’ but they’re getting Chief Pascal for their dad. It’s an amazing thing to see. And that’s how meaningful that is, which makes it that much more—I won’t say bittersweet, it’s bitter to have to leave that.”
The actor made it clear that the departure feels more painful than sweet. He called it “bitter” to walk away from a role that has connected with so many viewers.
A First for Mulroney in Network Television
For Mulroney, joining Chicago Fire was a new experience. He had done other TV work before, including Shameless, but this was his first time doing a full 22-episode season on network television.
“It’s rare for me to work on a character where I don’t already know the storyline. So, I’m having the most amazing time in a new process. I’ve been acting a long time—it’s so nice to have a new way to look at creating a role, originating a role.”
He also spoke about the friendships he built during his time on the show. He praised his co-stars, including Taylor Kinney, who plays Kelly Severide, and Miranda Rae Mayo, who plays Stella Kidd.
“Loved every minute of it, became friends with this incredible crew of people. Some have been there 15 years. Taylor Kinney, the great star of the show, Miranda Rae [Mayo], leading off that an incredible cast.”
The Emotional Weight of Pascal’s Storyline
Mulroney also reflected on the challenging material he had to work with during his time on the show. His character’s wife, Monica Pascal, played by KaDee Strickland, was killed in a car accident during Season 13. The actor admitted that the storyline began to feel heavy over time.
“They gave me incredibly challenging scenes. It’s devastating. But you’re doing it in a movie and guess what? That day’s over, and it’s gone. You shot that scene, and then they end the movie, and that’s the end of it. On TV, guess what? She’s dead next week, too. And it starts to feel really heavy. And they asked that of me, and I delivered.”
He explained that working on a television series is different from making a film. In a movie, the story ends. On a long-running show, the emotional weight of a tragic storyline continues week after week.
How the Show Wrote Out Chief Dom Pascal
Pascal’s exit from Firehouse 51 has been building for some time. During the One Chicago crossover event, Pascal ignored a direct order from an FBI special agent. He entered a burning building against orders to collect evidence that ended up saving lives. While his actions were heroic, they came with consequences.
In the March 11 episode of Season 14, Pascal was terminated from the Chicago Fire Department for conduct unbecoming. He was relieved of his duty effective immediately. The character spent his last shift offering words of encouragement to his team and left behind a test guide for Severide to take on the role of captain.
A Season of Major Cast Changes
Mulroney’s exit is not the only departure shaking up Chicago Fire. Longtime cast member Joe Miñoso, who has played firefighter Joe Cruz since the show premiered in 2012, is also leaving early in Season 15. Miñoso has appeared in nearly 300 episodes over 14 seasons.
The loss of both actors has left many viewers disappointed. Fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts, with some expressing frustration over the changes happening on the show.
What’s Next for Mulroney
While Mulroney is leaving Chicago Fire, he has other projects on the way. He is set to appear in Season 2 of Netflix’s The Hunting Wives, which is currently in production. He is also expected to star in an upcoming sequel to the 2005 comedy drama The Family Stone.
Mulroney also shared that he has been working on a documentary series about his family, which he described as a personal project.
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Season 15 Premiere Date
Chicago Fire Season 15 is set to premiere on October 7 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Mulroney’s final episode will air early in the season, giving fans one last chance to see Chief Dom Pascal in action.
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