Chicago Fire: Will Casey Move Back to the Windy City? Jesse Spencer Reveals Whether He’d Ever Return Full-Time
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Wednesday’s Chicago Fire. Proceed at your own risk!
Chicago Fire vet Jesse Spencer‘s latest return visit to the NBC drama left viewers with a big question: Could Captain Matt Casey be plotting a permanent move back to the Windy City?
Throughout Wednesday’s episode, the firefighter made note of how Ben Darden, the son of Casey’s late best friend, is planning to go to college next year, meaning both of the Darden boys will soon be out on their own. With Casey’s time as their legal guardian in Portland nearing its end, Chief Boden asked Casey when he’d be relocating back to Chicago. Casey, in turn, noted that there’s some things that would have to line up before that… like a reunion with his ex-girlfriend Sylvie Brett?
In addition to looping Kidd into a Department of Homeland Security task force against a possible domestic terrorist attack, Casey also used his trip to feel out where things stood with Sylvie, whom he discovered is dating someone new.
“If he does end this job in Oregon in the next year or whatever or two years, Firehouse 51 will be there, but will she still be there?” Spencer posits.
With all of the episode’s talk about Casey possibly coming back home one day, we asked Spencer if he’d ever return to the series full-time. Read his answer below, as well as his thoughts on Casey’s romantic future.
TVLINE | Are we going to see Casey beyond this episode?
I don’t know. I don’t think so because he’s coming to nominate Kidd as the first-responder liaison to work with the DHS and the FBI if there is this potential attack. So if there is one, he’s not going to be around when it happens. He’s really handing the reins over to Kidd. So this is going to be her storyline going forward.
TVLINE | It did feel like they left things a bit open-ended with Casey, though. He makes a couple of mentions of how Ben is going to college next year, but there’s some things that would need to line up for Casey to move back to Chicago. Would you ever consider coming back to the show full-time?
Oh, that’s a tough question. I think I’m always open to it. I never say never. When I left the show, I talked to [co-showrunner] Derek [Haas] and everybody and said, “Listen, if it makes sense to bring me in for a storyline that you think would be appropriate for Casey to come in for, I’m happy to pop in for an episode.” But in terms of like long-term or something, I don’t think so.
TVLINE | When he says that there’s some things that would need to line up for him to move back to Chicago, it seems like he’s referring to Brett. But then with their final scene together, did you interpret that as like a goodbye?
I feel like it’s messy. There’s a lot of stuff going on there. I saw it as both. I think he would like to come back, and there is the potential to come back, but only if it is right… But if this job wraps up, and the kids are all doing good and they get to school, that’s the only reason he left. He didn’t leave because they fell out of love. So he is sniffing around to see if Brett is still open to it.
TVLINE | I found it interesting that Casey lied about seeing someone. But after that ending, do you think he’s accepted that maybe it’s time to move on?
Well, I’m not sure what will happen after that. I think he’ll go back to Portland and then just get back into his role as dad and just jump back into what he’s doing there. But he’s, obviously, expressed not outright, but she knows that he’s probably still in love with her, and he’s wondering if she still is and [if] she’s still open to it. The good thing is I don’t know, and I kind of like that. I like that not knowing thing, if that’s actually a possibility in the future.
TVLINE | What do you think Casey is taking away from this latest visit to Chicago?
That domestic terrorism is everywhere! [Laughs] And who’s the terrorist if you hurt someone? Are you the terrorist? He’s like a love terrorist. He’s destroying hearts wherever he goes. Bad man. Very bad man. [Laughs]
After wasting 2 seasons without taking Casey-Bret arc anywhere….now the makers want to dangle the carrot again….2 seasons! we could have enjoyed their relationship arc if not for the lazy writing!
You know, I think fans would be just fine with him recurring, but those two being together. There’s so many characters in the show that Brett just being with someone we only see from time to time, isn’t really detracting anything from possible stories. I think writers worry about things like that, too much, when meeting fan expectations isn’t quite the hurdle they imagine.
This. So much this. Not like we ever see Donna. Chloe is there for like two eps per season. Cindy I’d there for certain story arcs.
I was thinking the same! I’m sure there’s a place for him somewhere in the CFD that doesn’t require him to be at the firehouse every episode.
They could make him a battalion chief. Office in another building occasionally showing up like Boden would normally.
He could be a recurring character that works at another firehouse. We could see him at Molly’s and with Brett. If he isn’t coming back as a recurring character or series regular, then this episode was really a waste as far as his appearance is concerned. Don’t tease the possibility of him coming back and not have it happen.
I wasn’t sure when Casey left the first time if it would ever work out for them but after tonight’s ep yeah that chemistry is still there for sure. Please get Jesse Spencer back on the show so him + Kara can steam up the screen!
It was so good to see Jesse back. This was a better return than the Stellaride wedding as we got Casey having one on one scenes with Sylvie, Stella, Boden, Cruz and Gallo. Chicago Fire felt like how it should be and it is because Casey and especially Jesse is the heart of the show. I hope he returns in some capacity.
I agree completely. They have chemistry! They even used the same music when they were hugging at Molly’s that was on in her apartment when they finally got together. He belongs in Chicago! I really like that he went on a shift with the truck and sat in the back.
I think that Violet and Sam are getting closer.
They killed off Hawkins and now these writers think that Violet and carver are their best bet. How absolutely absurd. After the way they struggled to be together and to scrap that and think that Violet and Carver are the new it couple? How utterly lame. Wow
Severide is ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤no Casey
It was good, but it made sense that he would not have a lot of scenes with everyone in the wedding finale last year. The focus of that episode was the Stella, Kelly, and their wedding. It made sense that he was more of a background player for that. It was great, though, that he was able to come back for an episode and have scenes with everyone now.
I agree completely! The one in ones with various characters was excellent. He is so charming and adds so much to the show.
is it me or has anyone else noticed since Taylor Kinney has ben on his LOA, his name still appears on opening credits, and is the first name shown?
I also believe Jessie left to spend more time with his family. If the show is still on in 2 to 3 years, I bet he will be back. I think he missis his kids and wants to be there as they grow up. Once that passes I think he will be back.
It’s because it’s a LOA, not an exit. When Miranda and Kara took LOAs last season, their names were still in the opening credits of the episodes that they did not appear in.
It was absolutely amazing to see him back on CFPD last night as Casey as if he never left. It would be fabulous he finished out the terrorism story line the rest of this season while Severide was in Alabama doing his thing. I honestly think that he is not gone yet and he will be back for a few more episodes this Season, but this is just my gut talking, which may or may not be right! fingers crossed. -:) -:)
I agree. They handled that story very poorly. (Thank you Dereck Haas). If they couldn’t make up their minds, if they should put the couple together or not; they should have ended it and not teased the audience for as long as they did. They ruined that story for me.
These two have zero chemistry and are so awkward together on screen. Was it written that way? Terrible waste of actors and screen time. They are turning Bret into Burgess; where she is with most of the cast and her relationships don’t last. Stop. Concentrate on the overall stories each week and not so much on the romance. Can’t these people have outside love interests?
Finally someone said it 👏
Agreed
I think Casey is so dam charming that Brett can’t resist loving him regardless where he lives. He is her rock. Make him a battilon chief or homeland security liaison with multiple cities. he could travel a lot and be in the show as frequently as he wants.
Casey has always been Brett’s rock and has loved her for so long I agree make him a battilon chief and get these two people back together
Jesse lives in the Chicago area, so it’s easy for his character to pop in from time to time. I would really like to see him more often – perhaps as mentioned, a battalion chief in another location, but still interacting with Brett and others from the firehouse. However, he’s worked many years in TV series, and probably still wants to take a break.
It we be awesome if Jesse Spencer came back as Matt Casey in recurring roles. Jesse/ Casey is greatly missed on CF! The show the other night felt whole again with him back, the family was back together ( just missing Severide)!!! Playing a role like BC would give him the flexibility he wants to still to other things and be with his family!!! We need the team back together, we need Brett & Casey to have their happy ending together!!! Those two characters deserve that, no more sadness and boring relationships! They belong together!
yes,,, bret and casey need to get married. she always looks sad.. time to fix that!! the guy she is dating is boring..