Chicago Fire star reveals why Herrmann can’t be Firehouse 51 chief

The season 12 finale really had us going for a second. Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) was stepping down as chief, or rather, stepping up, since he was being promoted. He needed to hand off the title to someone else in Firehouse 51, and he decided on Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg).

The two veterans had a heartfelt exchange, and it was an unexpected yet logical decision on Boden’s part. Everything seemed to be in place for Herrmann to lead the next iteration of 51. Then, the show announced that Herrmann would not be the new chief.

David Eigenberg wants Herrmann to work for his promotion

CHICAGO FIRE — “Rattle Second City” Episode 901 — Pictured: David Eigenberg as Lt Christopher Herrmann — (Photo by: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC) /

What gives? Well, fortunately, the actor who plays Herrmann, David Eigenberg, has decided to shed light on the decision. He also highlighted the fact that promoting Herrmann to chief would not have made a ton of sense within the world of Chicago Fire.

“The character can’t make a shift to a chief unless we were deep into TV falsehoods,” the actor told TV Insider. “I’m not going to let him do that.” Eigenberg went on to note that he would only feel good about the character’s ascension to chief if it was detailed onscreen:

“He has to become a captain, and then you got to go through a whole thing. I think that the character might be able to make the transition.”

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The character will have to adjust to a new 51 chief

CHICAGO FIRE — “Inside Man” Episode 12011 — Pictured: (l-r) Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz, Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann, Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd — (Photo by: Adrian Burrows/NBC) /

It’s hard to argue with Eigenberg’s logic. Herrmann doesn’t yet have the experience needed to lead 51, so it makes sense that the firehouse would want to bring in an outsider to take over. Dom Pascal, according to Deadline, is the newcomer who will step into the role of chief.

The character has not yet been cast, but the outlet described him as a cheerful Miami native whose style differs greatly from Wallace Boden’s. Eigenberg didn’t share any additional details about the new guy, but he did hint at some possible tension between his character and Pascal.

“I know Herrmann is always floating around,” the actor explained. “His brain is always kind of a little bit whacked out about everything, so we’re just going to see what happens.” It sounds like we’re going to have to wait and see what happens as well.