2025’s Most Shocking TV Firefighter Deaths: A Look at 9-1-1 and Beyond
Our top firefighter series have truly elevated the drama this year, featuring more character deaths and unexpected departures than in previous seasons.
9-1-1 stunned viewers when Peter Krause‘s character, Bobby, was killed off this April after eight seasons. It was even more jaw-dropping when creator Tim Minear disclosed that this decision had nothing to do with Krause wanting to leave the show.
“I believe audiences are still left on the edge of their seats when Athena manages to land a plane on the freeway or during a ship capsizing — but after eight seasons, it became clear that for us to craft stories that carry genuine weight, someone needs to exit,” Minear elaborated to Variety on his reasoning behind Bobby’s death. “If you follow the tragic trajectory of his character, from his initial arrival in L.A. seeking redemption, it resonates as a fittingly tragic conclusion.”
Minear added: “I also didn’t want to play it safe. While all characters matter, Bobby’s death significantly impacts every other character in a way that few other departures could.”
Later that month, Fire Country wrapped its third season on a cliffhanger. Discussions about the fourth season intensified when reports surfaced that Stephanie Arcila was demoted. Her co-star Billy Burke is also expected to exit the series.
It appears that Fire Country requested its season 3 cast to reduce their episode counts as a cost-saving step. According to Deadline, the primary series regulars successfully negotiated to maintain their episode counts, though some adjustments were made for the upcoming season.
“Ultimately, we focus on what’s best creatively. As producers, we juggle various factors, but we’re writers first and storytellers,” said executive producer Joan Rater when asked about budget cuts affecting the season 4 cast. “We wrestle with these narratives, analyze them from multiple perspectives, and deliberate extensively. We rely on our instincts to craft the most compelling stories, aiming to portray authentic experiences these heroes endure.”
Scroll down for a comprehensive list of every fictional TV firefighter who has been killed or written off in 2025 so far:
Bobby Nash
The ABC series marked the death of Krause’s character during the two-part “Contagion” storyline, where Bobby was covertly infected by a rare and lethal virus. However, Minear stated to Variety that this wasn’t Krause’s last appearance on the show.
Gabriela Perez
Arcila learned of her demotion while shooting the season 3 finale.
“I was completely blindsided. I had no idea,” she shared with Us Weekly about how she found out about her character’s exit. “Once they informed me that Gabriela wouldn’t be back as a main character, I accepted it. I thought, ‘Alright, I’ll put Gabriela in this lovely little drawer of fulfilled dreams and let the universe handle it.’”
Since Gabriela hasn’t been written off officially, her storyline’s direction remains uncertain. “I have no idea where Gabriela’s arc lies from this point, but who knows about a possible comeback,” Arcila noted.
9-1-1 isn’t the only series that has lost a significant character in 2025, with many fictional exits still leaving fans reeling. The ABC drama threw us for a loop when an episode in April concluded with Peter Krause’s Bobby suffering from a rare and lethal virus. As viewers coped with the aftermath, …
Vince Leone
While Fire Country‘s showrunner Tia Napolitano suggested potential guest appearances for Arcila, it has been reported that Burke is also stepping away. His character was one of the three potentially killed in an explosion, leading fans to speculate that Vince will meet his end before the season 4 premiere.
“We aren’t disclosing who we’ll be losing,” Napolitano stated to Deadline in April. “There will undoubtedly be a heartbreaking loss for the remaining cast. During the finale shoot, none of the actors were aware.”
Sam Carver
Lockett has not disclosed the details of his character’s departure from Chicago Fire this season, but has confirmed his exit.
“Although I’m unsure what the future holds, I know it won’t mirror what it was, and I will greatly miss it,” he expressed through Instagram in April, ahead of season 14. “I feel immense pride in this journey.”
Lockett further stated: “It has been an honor to bring Sam to life and to all of you, thank you for the love and support over the past three years.”
Darren Ritter
As per Deadline, Daniel Kyri, who portrays Ritter, is among the second wave of actors departing Chicago Fire after season 13. The outlet reported in April that these exits could be tied to rumored budget cuts — and further casting changes might occur.
