After reports about Eamonn Walker’s exit from Chicago Fire surfaced online, fans are eager to learn if Chief Wallace Boden died or whether the character is leaving the show after 12 seasons. Viewers know Chief Boden to be very compassionate towards the people in his unit, going above and beyond to help them, even if it means putting his career in jeopardy.
But, would season 12 mark the final appearance of the character? Here are the answers.
Did Eamonn Walker’s Chief Boden die in Chicago Fire Season 12 finale?
No, Eamonn Walker’s Chief Wallace Boden does not die in the Chicago Fire Season 12 finale.
In the Season 12 finale titled “Never Say Goodbye,” Chief Boden put his name in the running for the position of CFD’s Deputy Commissioner, competing against other contenders like Chief Robinson. Boden knew that he would have to leave his post of Deputy District Chief if he became Deputy Commissioner, so he informed his colleagues about his decision to run for the highly coveted post, which initially stunned them. But then, Christopher Herrmann, Randall McHolland, and Stella Kidd congratulated him on getting the position.
Chief Boden chose Herrmann as his successor after the latter stepped up and took charge of Firehouse 51 as a counselor during the former’s leave of absence, impressing Boden.
Why is Chief Boden leaving Chicago Fire?
Currently, it is not known why exactly Eamonn Walker is leaving Chicago Fire as a series regular. No official reason has been revealed yet.
However, in an interview with TVLine, showrunner Andrea Newman stated that the producers like to “have characters leave and bring in new characters in an effort to keep the shows fresh or find new dimensions to the show.” Going by this statement, it’s possible that Eamonn Walker’s exit had to do with making space for new characters to join and create new storylines. Given the other recent exits from the show, such as Kara Kilmer’s Sylvie Brett and Alberto Rosende’s Blake Gallo, this seems probable.
But fortunately, Chief Boden is expected to stick around for the thirteenth season, albeit in a recurring capacity (via Deadline).
