What happens to Chief Riddle on Chicago Fire (2023)

Chicago Fire has had a steadfast leader in the form of Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). He’s been the perfect guy to anchor the colorful and sometimes unwieldy personalities that make up the Firehouse 51 team. As the saying goes, however, all good things must come to an end.

Boden’s tenure as chief has ended, and the character has been promoted tothe prestigious title of Department Deputy District Chief. He will still be a part of the show and the lives of the other firefighters, but he will eventually have to appoint a successor to take over Firehouse 51.

Here’s a rundown of Boden’s best candidate, and whether the perceived frontrunner for the gig, Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), is going to take it over.

Who is going to replace Boden as the new chief?

Casey is the highest-ranking 51 firefighter outside of Boden, and his experiences have allowed him to transform from impulsive hotshot to measured, thoughtful firefighter. He would make a great chief, given his close relationships with the rest of the team, and his emphasis on the well being of 51 as a whole.

Casey’s gung-ho heroism has already been a recent storyline. In the season 10 premiere, a video of Casey saving civilians went viral, and the PR from the story helped to boost the profile of the firehouse. Granted, it was fleeting, but the positive reputation that he was able to muster for the cameras may turn out to be an indicator of the leadership role he eventually takes on.

There are, of course, some complications. Griffin Darden (Cameron Scott Roberts) has reentered Casey’s life and asked for help in re-establishing his life. Casey has promised to take time off from work to visit Griffin and his little brother, which could in turn lead to some difficult decisions. Fans have theorized that the firefighter could walk away from his job, or be temporarily sidelined as he figures out whether to foster parent the Darden boys.

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Showrunner Derek Haas told TV Line that Boden’s departure will be rolled out slowly, so that the process of replacing him doesn’t feel rushed. “Boden cares deeply for the firefighters of Firehouse 51, but he also knows he can make major improvements to the CFD”, he reasoned. “He’ll balance the two.”

Haas’ comments, coupled with Casey’s pending subplots, leads us to believe that Casey won’t be assuming the mantle of 51 chief in the immediate future. It’s a job that seems poised to be his in the future, but the status quo looks as though it will be the same for most of season 10.

Next:Is Boden leaving Firehouse 51?

For the latest Chicago Fire season 10 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.

Fredric Lehne has joined the cast of Chicago Fire as a recurring guest star, EW has learned exclusively.

Lehne will play Deputy District Chief Ray Riddle, a gruff, hard charging fire chief above Boden (Eamonn Walker) who is one of a new breed of politically savvy climbers in the CFD. He’s gunning for the top spot of Fire Commissioner, and he doesn’t care if Firehouse 51 ends up as collateral damage in the process.

The actor — whose extensive credits include Lost, Bones and Criminal Minds — joins other season 4 additions Steven R. McQueen as a new candidate, Brian White as the new Squad lieutenant when Severide (Taylor Kinney) is demoted by Riddle, and Rachel Nichols as a love interest for Severide.

Chicago Fire returns Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Episode Recaps

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  ALL CROPS: CHICAGO FIRE -- "One Hundred" Episode 508 -- Pictured: (l-r) Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz, Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide -- (Photo by: Parrish Lewis/NBC

  Tuesday night’s episode is no exception, with one firefighter in a bloody situation at the close of the hour. However, the potential death doesn’t happen on the job, but rather at beloved hangout Molly’s!

  After Cruz’ pal Freddie is ousted by Patterson from hanging around the firehouse, Otis and Herrmann take pity and offer him a job at the bar as a busboy. But Herrmann’s repeated ribbing about Freddie’s appearance does not sit well with the temperamental kid, who finally loses it after Herrmann jokes about him looking for short and fat glasses – just like he’s short and fat. Freddie wants his new boss to take it back, but Herrmann thinks he needs to lighten up. So Freddie stabs Herrmann with a steak knife and leaves him in a pool of his own blood as everyone in the bar remains unaware of the horrific scene in the stock room.

  One person who’s also on his way out? Patterson. While Boden awaits the case against him, the controversial captain gets promoted to chief, much to everybody’s dismay. But maybe the tide is turning? After a heroic rescue, Patterson talks to a reporter – that guy really loves a camera, doesn’t he? – and unexpectedly showers the team and Boden with praise.

  Then when the chief is exonerated, Patterson tells Riddle he’s requested a transfer because “this is Boden’s house.” He also makes it clear he’s not a fan of Riddle’s methods anymore.

  “You’ve messed with the wrong guy,” Riddle exclaims. Patterson warns Boden that guys like Riddle tend to have nine lives, so keep an eye open.

  Elsewhere in the episode:

  * With Boden back in charge, Severide is reinstated.

  

  * Casey advises Jimmy to cool it with Chili to keep things smooth sailing in the firehouse. After Patterson catches the twosome in the shower and gives them a stern warning, Jimmy tries to cut things off with Chili. She is not a fan of that idea, to put it mildly.

  * A string of suspicious incidents that would discredit Firehouse 51’s finest tie back to Rodger Maddox, and everything leads to Serena, the troublemaker currently wrecking Boden’s life. So Severide takes it upon himself to find her, with an assist from Chicago P.D.’s Atwater and Ruzek and, shockingly, a helpful tip from ex Jamie.

  * Being sweet on Sylvie himself, Otis goes digging into Austin’s past to try to find something to discourage the paramedic from dating the smooth operator. He discovers that Austin was charged for breaking and entering —but it was just a case of pool hoping, Austin confesses to Sylvie on their date. (Sorry, Otis.)

  * Dawson loses her cool during a rescue when some onlookers make sexist comments. Unfortunately for her, it gets captured on camera and is broadcast on the local news. And the guys who made the lewd remarks? They were hired by Maddox to harass Dawson.

  Chicago Fire fans, what did you think of the episode? Grade it via the poll below, then weigh in on Herrmann’s fate in the comments!

  Who replaces Chief Boden?

  Patterson initially started off as the replacement officer for Severide but was promoted to Chief after Boden's arrest. Patterson was promoted to Chief of Battalion 25 by Chief Riddle originally until Boden's return.

  Why does Boden go to jail?

  GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The ex-leader of the now-defunct The Geek Group has been ordered to prison for illegal Bitcoin trading that investigators say involved money laundering. Christopher Boden, 46, was sentenced Friday, Feb.

  What happens to Chief Boden in Chicago Fire?

  Season 10. In Mayday, Wallace Boden has been promoted to Deputy District Chief of District 4. In Two Hundred, the District office has now been moved to Firehouse 51. Previously, it was Firehouse 82 before it closed, causing Firehouse 90 taking its place.

  How does Chief Boden get cleared?

  Finding the woman who set Boden up, police get her to turn against the builder hoping to ruin the chief and Boden is exonerated.