The Chicago Fire season 13 finale left viewers confused about what comes next for Jake Lockett's Sam Carver, but one of his costars might have accidentally spoiled his fate in season 14. NBC's procedural drama (and its spinoffs) has featured many cast exits over the course of its 13 seasons. Unfortunately, it appears that One Chicago's list of departing actors will likely grow heading into the 2025–2026 network TV season, thanks to the unavoidable cast cuts on Chicago Fire, which might include Lockett.
Although NBC made fans believe that two Chicago Fire main characters (including Carver) would leave after season 13, the finale implied otherwise. Carver initially told Violet Mikami that he had requested a transfer to Denver during the episode. It seemed like the series was setting up his exit. However, the Chicago Fire season 13 finale ended with Carver declaring his love for Violet and kissing her, suggesting that he would stay in the Windy City for her. Consequently, the audience was confused about Carver's future on the show, but recent comments from one star might have sealed his fate.
Jocelyn Hudon May Have Accidentally Spoiled Carver's Chicago Fire Season 14 Fate
Hudon Confirmed That Carver Is Leaving
During an interview with TV Insider following the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, Jocelyn Hudon, who plays Lizzie Novak, discussed her character's stance on Violet and Carver's complex relationship. Novak and Violet are not only paramedic partners, but they have also become best friends in the NBC show. So, Novak's thoughts on her friend's love life hold a lot of weight. Sadly, Hudon's comments on the Violet/Carver situation seemingly confirm that Carver is saying goodbye to Firehouse 51 in season 14. Hudon said:
"Yeah, I don't know what’s going to happen when [Carver] leaves, but I think Novak's entire goal was just to support Violet no matter what. If she wants to date the other guy [Steven Strait's Flynn], great. If she wants to be with Carver, great. I think you just got to get it out, say it, own it. Just give him the letter that you wrote for him, let him know how you feel. And once everything's on the table, then whatever's meant to be, will be. So I think no matter which way Violet goes, Novak just wants to truly support her."
The most interesting part of Hudon's quote is that she says "when [Carver] leaves" instead of "if" he leaves. So, despite the ambiguity of Carver's Chicago Fire season 13 ending, he is probably exiting the One Chicago universe, after all. Some fans, like myself, were holding out hope that Lockett could return in a recurring role in season 14, seeing as the news surrounding his departure just said he would no longer be a series regular. But that doesn't appear to be the case. The (semi) good news is that Novak will be around to support Violet through this latest heartbreak.
Why Sam Carver's Firehouse 51 Exit Is Inevitable (Despite His Relationship Status)
Jake Lockett's Departure As A Series Regular Has Been Confirmed
Chicago Fire Season 13 Cast | Character |
|---|---|
Taylor Kinney | Kelly Severide |
Miranda Rae Mayo | Stella Kidd |
David Eigenberg | Christopher Herrmann |
Christian Stolte | Randall "Mouch" McHolland |
Joe Minoso | Joe Cruz |
Daniel Kyri | Darren Ritter |
Hanako Greensmith | Violet Mikami |
Jocelyn Hudon | Lizzie Novak |
Dermot Mulroney | Dom Pascal |
Jake Lockett | Sam Carver |
Michael Bradway | Jack Damon |
Chicago Fire Delaying Carver's Exit Makes It Worse
The Show Is Giving Viewers False Hope
The Chicago Fire season 13 finale featured Carver contemplating moving to Denver for a fresh start, laying the groundwork for his exit. However, given that his last scene in the episode entailed him professing his love to Violet instead of saying goodbye to her, the series was seemingly suggesting that Carver could stay in Chicago. We know that won't be the case, though. Based on previous reports and Hudon's comments, Lockett's Chicago Fire exit has been confirmed. So, the NBC procedural drama TV show is simply delaying the inevitable.
How Carver's Impending Departure In Chicago Fire Season 14 Will Impact Firehouse 51
Firehouse 51 Is Losing (At Least) 2 Firefighters
Losing Carver undoubtedly hurts Violet's story in the One Chicago TV show. However, his exit (along with Ritter's) is a huge blow to Firehouse 51 as they will be down two firefighters heading into season 14. And since Carver and Ritter's departures are due to budget cuts, it's not like NBC will hire two new actors to take their places at the iconic fire station. As a result, when Chicago Fire season 14 premieres, Carver and Ritter's absences should be quite noticeable. Their exits will leave a gaping hole in the cast and the Firehouse 51 squad.
Carver's exit will undoubtedly devastate Violet, especially after they declared their love for one another in the season 13 finale. Only time will tell how their story officially ends in Chicago Fire season 14, but whatever the case, Carver's departure will significantly impact Violet and the other Firehouse 51 squad members.
