TV Clip

Chicago Fire Is Losing One of Firehouse 51’s Biggest Veterans

By Fan Reviews Staff Published July 30, 2026 0:24 TV Clip
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Firehouse 51 is about to lose one of its longest-running firefighters. Joe Miñoso, who has played Joe Cruz since Chicago Fire’s very first season, is leaving the hit NBC drama after appearing in a handful of Season 15 episodes to wrap up his story. His departure comes as fans are still waiting to find out who survives the jaw-dropping Season 14 cliffhanger, making his farewell one of the most emotional storylines the series has faced in years.

Created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, Chicago Fire follows the firefighters, rescue squad, and paramedics of Firehouse 51. The long-running NBC drama is the flagship of the One Chicago franchise and stars Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Miranda Rae Mayo, Hanako Greensmith, and Joe Miñoso.

How to Watch: Chicago Fire returns for Season 15 on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.

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Joe Miñoso’s exit matters because Joe Cruz has been part of Chicago Fire from the beginning, making this more than a routine cast change for longtime One Chicago viewers. With Season 15 set to address the fallout from the previous season’s cliffhanger, the video puts Cruz’s farewell in the context of a major transition for Firehouse 51 and offers a useful watchlist update for fans following the NBC drama.

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