Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman has explained how Firehouse 51's new Chief has a different form of leadership than Boden (Eamonn Walker) when he was in charge. Chicago Fire season 13 will see Dermot Mulroney join the cast as Chief Dom Pascal, Boden's replacement after he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department. Not much is known about the newcomer just yet, aside from being a friendly firefighter with years of experience in Miami. However, there's still plenty of mystery surrounding how his introduction will change up dynamics for the team.
Speaking with TV Insider, Newman clarified how Chief Pascal offers a different form of leadership for Chicago Fire's Firehouse 51 than Boden did. The showrunner teased how he'll end up joining the team, while saying he'll be trying to learn more about them while they scope him out. This is especially true for Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), who Boden trusted to watch over the firehouse. Newman also teased conflict between Pascal and his wife Monica (KaDee Strickland). Check out what Newman had to say below:
[Chief Dom Pascal] shakes everything up. What’s transpired to get him here is revealed in the premiere. He’s a totally different kind of leader from Boden, who was a father figure by the time he left the house. [He] is enigmatic, he wants to peel back the layers of the firefighters to find out more about them as firefighters and people because knowledge is power to him. He’s got his eye out for people who cross the line.
All our guys will have different reactions to him and there will be surprises in terms of who bonds with Pascal and who doesn’t…. [T]here’s major drama in Pascal’s marriage.
What Chief Pascal's Leadership Means For Chicago Fire Season 13
Boden's Replacement Has A Lot To Live Up To
Although Walker left Chicago Fire as a series regular, Newman did reveal the former Chief would come back in a recurring role during season 13. Although it's unclear if he'll interact with Pascal, the two characters' differences can be more easily contrasted in episodes where Boden shows up. However, Newman's quote makes it seem like the new leader will need to prove himself to the team, especially Herrmann, as a worthy successor to the new Deputy Commissioner.
Since the former Chief has been on the show since season 1, Pascal's entry will be a tough act to follow, something that could alter some major relationships between characters in Firehouse 51. While he'll be seen as Boden's replacement in Chicago Fire at first, his previous experience coupled with a focus on his family life will help flesh him out. This can help center him as a worthy leader among the established cast, despite the growing pains that will come with his new role.
Our Take On Chief Pascal's Debut In Chicago Fire
His Character Offers An Interesting Path For The Show
Given the difference in leadership Mulroney's character will bring to the table, Chicago Fire will have a very different group dynamic going into season 13. However, with plenty of elements already teased to flesh Chief Pascal out, he might just become a memorable addition in a short amount of time. While he'll never be able to fully replace Boden, given how long his stint on the show was, he can at least offer a new form of leadership unseen in the series before.
