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5 Reasons Why Michael Bradway Won't Return To 'Chicago Fire' In Season 14: The Shocking New Career Path

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The One Chicago universe is set for a dramatic shake-up in the upcoming season, and one of the most intriguing new characters introduced in recent years will not be returning. As of December 19, 2025, it has been officially confirmed that actor Michael Bradway, who portrayed Firefighter Jack Damon, will not be back for Chicago Fire Season 14. This news has left fans of the NBC procedural reeling, especially since the character’s storyline—the revelation that he is Lieutenant Kelly Severide's half-brother—was one of the most significant cliffhangers of the last two seasons. Bradway's departure marks a major loss for Firehouse 51, but the reason behind his exit is a massive career move that signals a new chapter for the talented actor.

The decision to leave the high-stakes world of the Chicago Fire Department was not due to any on-screen drama or creative differences, but rather an exciting opportunity that Bradway simply couldn't pass up. His exit is part of a larger cast transition for Season 14, following other notable departures, as the show prepares to introduce new faces while resolving the fates of beloved characters.

Michael Bradway: Complete Biography and Profile

Michael Bradway is an American actor, model, and producer known for his burgeoning career in television and film. His role as Firefighter Jack Damon on Chicago Fire brought him significant attention, but his career trajectory is now pointing towards a major new streaming series.

  • Full Name: Michael Bradway
  • Date of Birth: December 30, 1998
  • Age (as of 2025): 26
  • Hometown/Origin: Boca Raton, Florida, USA
  • Current Base: Miami, Florida
  • Occupation: Actor, Model, Producer
  • Education: New York Film Academy (NYFA) Alumni
  • Modeling Agency: Signed with SELECT Model
  • Notable Roles: Firefighter Jack Damon in Chicago Fire (NBC), Charlie in Every Summer After (Prime Video), and the upcoming film Marked Men (2025)
  • Chicago Fire Character: Jack Damon (Recurring, Seasons 12-13), the previously unknown half-brother of Lieutenant Kelly Severide.

The Real Reason Michael Bradway Is Leaving 'Chicago Fire'

The primary and most compelling reason for Michael Bradway's departure from the Dick Wolf procedural is a major casting coup: securing a leading role in a new, highly anticipated Prime Video series.

1. A Major New Role in Prime Video's 'Every Summer After'

Bradway has been cast in the series adaptation of Carley Fortune's blockbuster novel, Every Summer After. This move is a significant step up, transitioning from a recurring role on a network procedural to a main cast member in a major streaming production. The new series is expected to have a global reach and a dedicated fanbase, given the source material’s popularity.

2. Taking on the Pivotal Character 'Charlie'

In Every Summer After, Michael Bradway will play the character Charlie. Charlie is a key figure in the story, described as Sam's older brother, and his character is integral to the friendship dynamics and pivotal moments in the lives of the main characters, Percy and Sam. This role offers a new challenge and a substantial narrative arc that likely requires a full-time commitment, making a return to Firehouse 51 logistically impossible for the foreseeable future.

3. The Need for a Full-Time Commitment

While actors often juggle multiple projects, the nature of a series regular role in a new production like a Prime Video adaptation typically demands exclusivity during filming periods. The recurring nature of Jack Damon's role on Chicago Fire, which allowed him to appear in a limited capacity across Seasons 12 and 13, was incompatible with the demands of his new, leading role. This shift from a guest/recurring star to a main cast member is the ultimate signal of a successful career transition.

The Unresolved Jack Damon Storyline: What It Means for Severide and Firehouse 51

Michael Bradway's exit leaves the character of Jack Damon with a deeply unsettling and incomplete storyline, which will undoubtedly be a major talking point for Chicago Fire Season 14.

4. The Severide Half-Brother Cliffhanger Is Undone

The entire premise of Jack Damon's character was a bombshell revelation: he is the son of the late Benny Severide, making him Lieutenant Kelly Severide's half-brother. This twist was meant to be a compelling, multi-season arc exploring Severide's complicated family history and his relationship with his late father. While Damon and Severide did achieve a measure of reconciliation in Season 13, the story arc is now officially "undone," as the relationship was barely established before the character was pulled from Firehouse 51 by Chief Dom Pascal.

The abrupt departure means the show loses a significant opportunity for character development for both Severide and his wife, Stella Kidd, who had her own complex interactions with Damon. Fans were eager to see Damon's path to redemption and his full integration into the Firehouse 51 family, a closure that now seems unlikely to happen on screen.

5. Part of a Wider Cast Exodus in Season 14

Bradway's exit is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of cast changes affecting the One Chicago series. Chicago Fire Season 14 is already dealing with a significant reshuffle:

  • Sam Carver's Departure: Actor Jake Lockett, who played Firefighter Sam Carver, is also leaving the series. Carver's exit leaves another hole in the Truck 81 roster.
  • Darren Ritter's Limited Return: Daniel Kyri, who plays Darren Ritter, is confirmed to be returning for only a limited number of appearances in Season 14, not as a full-time series regular.
  • New Faces: To fill the void left by these departures, Brandon Larracuente has been cast as Sal Vasquez, a new firefighter joining Truck 81. This influx of new talent suggests the show is moving forward with fresh storylines rather than attempting to neatly wrap up every loose end from the previous season.

The combination of a career-defining new role and the show's natural evolution through cast changes provides a clear, albeit disappointing, explanation for why Michael Bradway won't be returning as Jack Damon. While the door is never entirely closed in the world of television, the actor's commitment to Prime Video's *Every Summer After* means Firehouse 51 will have to find a new way to move past the Severide family drama.

michael bradway won't return to 'chicago fire' in season 14
michael bradway won't return to 'chicago fire' in season 14

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