What Do Joe Miñoso & Dermot Mulroney’s Exits Mean for Possible Death in Season 15?

In just about two months, we’ll know if Chicago Fire is about to say goodbye to a third cast member when Season 15 begins. The Season 14 finale ended on a major cliffhanger, leaving most of Firehouse 51 in serious danger during a fire. It’s already been announced that Joe Miñoso and Dermot Mulroney will be exiting this fall, after a “handful of episodes” and one episode, respectively. Could that hint at what’s to come in the Wednesday, October 7, premiere?

In the finale, everyone except for Pascal (Mulroney) and paramedics Violet (Hanako Greensmith) and Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) were either inside the building or on the ladder right outside of it when the fire took a serious turn. Any of them could die, and Fire, like the rest of One Chicago, has killed off characters in the past. Miranda Rae Mayo (Kidd) even warned TV Insider this summer, “Nobody’s safe.”

Peter Gordon/NBC

Miñoso appearing beyond the premiere suggests that Cruz won’t die as a result of that fire, unless they’re stretching it out. Mulroney’s one episode (and Pascal being outside) doesn’t mean he’s safe. Pascal could always run in to help 51, even though he’s not technically on duty — he was fired and only in town to try to convince Severide (Taylor Kinney) to choose the CFD over OFI as he faces a career crossroads. We can’t see that keeping him on the outside if he feels he can help; he may no longer be their battalion chief, but he became part of the 51 family while he was there.

And just because these exits have been announced doesn’t mean there can’t be a third to come, one being kept secret until that character dies onscreen in the Chicago Fire Season 15 premiere. While Kinney and Mayo have already been said to be returning for Season 15, we’re especially worried about Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and Mouch (Christian Stolte), given the foreshadowing in the finale. Herrmann brought up retirement, and Mouch was discussing his legacy when it comes to the book he’s working with a publishing company on.

It’s possible that one of those characters could die, that could serve as a wake-up call to Cruz that he could leave his wife and kids without him if he’s next on the job, and he decides to leave the CFD. Maybe it takes him a few episodes to make that decision or he decides right after the premiere but sticks around to help 51 in the aftermath of losing one of their own.

But what do you think? What’s your prediction for how Chicago Fire Season 15 will resolve that major cliffhanger? Let us know in the comments section below.

Chicago Fire, Season 15 Premiere, Wednesday, October 7, 9/8c, NBC