The Shocking Truth: 5 Reasons Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) Won't Return To 'Chicago Fire' In Season 14
The news is confirmed: Firehouse 51 will be down another firefighter when the show returns, as actor Michael Bradway, who played the recurring character Jack Damon, will not be returning for Chicago Fire Season 14. This departure, officially announced in late 2025, marks another significant shake-up for the beloved NBC procedural and leaves a major storyline with Lieutenant Kelly Severide unresolved.
The decision for Bradway's exit is not a creative one driven by a dramatic in-show death or transfer, but rather a major career opportunity for the young actor. His departure is tied directly to landing a leading role in a highly-anticipated new series, which will see him trading his CFD uniform for a new dramatic role. This article provides the most current, up-to-date details on his career move, his complete biography, and the abrupt end of the Jack Damon era.
Michael Bradway: Full Biography and Early Career Profile
Michael Bradway is an American actor, model, and producer who quickly became a recognizable face on the small screen during his time on the One Chicago universe. His rapid rise in Hollywood is a testament to his versatility and commitment to his craft.
- Full Name: Michael Bradway
- Date of Birth: December 30, 1998
- Age: (As of December 2025) 26 years old
- Birthplace: Staten Island, New York, USA (Sources also cite Boca Raton, Florida)
- Occupation: Actor, Model, Producer
- Modeling Agency: Currently signed with SELECT Model Management
- Notable Roles: Firefighter Jack Damon on Chicago Fire (Seasons 12 & 13), roles in Piece and the upcoming film Marked Men (2025).
- Personal Life: He is engaged to actress Veronica St. Clair.
Bradway's background includes training at the New York Film Academy, which paved the way for his successful transition from the modeling world into acting. His recurring role on Chicago Fire was arguably his biggest break, setting the stage for his next major project.
The Jack Damon Storyline: Severide's Unresolved Family Drama
Jack Damon was first introduced in Chicago Fire Season 12, quickly establishing himself as a talented, though sometimes abrasive, new recruit at Firehouse 51. His character arc was immediately compelling, culminating in a major reveal during the Season 12 finale.
In a shock twist, it was revealed that Jack Damon is the younger half-brother of Lieutenant Kelly Severide (played by Taylor Kinney). This revelation came from their shared father, the late Benny Severide, who had a complex and often strained relationship with his family. The Severide family drama is a cornerstone of the show, making Damon's introduction a significant plot device.
Damon's presence was meant to explore Severide's past, providing a new dimension to the character and a fresh source of conflict and potential bonding. He appeared in 17 episodes across Seasons 12 and 13, navigating the rigorous life of a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) firefighter.
The character’s narrative exit, however, has been left ambiguous. Unlike other major departures which often feature emotional goodbyes or dramatic scenes, the Season 13 finale did not offer a clear exit path for Damon. This sudden, unaddressed departure has led many fans and critics to conclude that the actor's professional move necessitated a quick, off-screen removal of the character.
A New Chapter: Why Bradway Is Trading Firehouse 51 for Prime Video
The definitive reason Michael Bradway will not be returning to Chicago Fire for its 14th season is his commitment to a new, major streaming project. Bradway has been cast in a leading role in the Prime Video adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel, Every Summer After.
This new series, which is based on a beloved romance novel, represents a significant career leap from a recurring role on a network procedural to a main cast member on a high-profile streaming platform. The move is a positive sign for the actor, indicating a desire to explore new genres and expand his professional portfolio.
His Role in 'Every Summer After'
In the new Prime Video series, Michael Bradway will be playing the character Charlie. Charlie is the older brother of the male lead, Sam. The story is a sweeping, decades-spanning romance, and Charlie’s role is expected to be a key supporting figure in the central relationship.
This project, which promises to be a major hit with fans of the source material, requires a full-time commitment, making a return to the demanding production schedule of the One Chicago franchise virtually impossible. The shift from the intense, action-driven world of the Chicago Fire Department to a more character-focused romantic drama showcases Bradway’s range as an actor.
The Ripple Effect: What Jack Damon's Exit Means for 'Chicago Fire'
Bradway's departure is part of a larger, ongoing cast evolution for Chicago Fire, which has seen several major and recurring characters leave in recent seasons. Other notable exits ahead of Season 14 include Rome Flynn (Derrick Gibson), and the confirmed departures of Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) as series regulars.
The most immediate impact of Jack Damon's exit is on Kelly Severide. The Severide family storyline, which had just been given a fresh, complex layer with the introduction of a half-brother, is now abruptly cut short. The show will have to find a way to quickly resolve or simply abandon this plot thread, potentially "undoing" one of the most promising new family dynamics in years.
For Firehouse 51, the constant turnover means new dynamics and new faces will be introduced in Season 14. While the loss of Jack Damon will be felt by fans who appreciated the new blood and the Severide connection, the series has a long history of successfully introducing new characters who quickly become beloved members of the ensemble cast. The show’s core remains the enduring relationships between veterans like Severide, Stella Kidd, and Christopher Herrmann.
While Michael Bradway is moving on to a new, exciting chapter in his career with *Every Summer After*, the door is not necessarily closed forever. Because Jack Damon's exit was not explicitly final—with no on-screen death—a potential guest appearance or brief return in a future season remains a possibility, should his new schedule permit. However, for Chicago Fire Season 14, fans must prepare to say goodbye to Firefighter Jack Damon.
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