Chicago Fire has always been about family—both on screen and off—and newcomer Brandon Larracuente says joining the cast felt like stepping into a real one. The hit NBC drama, which first aired in 2012, returns for its 14th season on Wednesday, October 1, introducing fans to Larracuente’s character, firefighter Sal Vásquez. But before filming began, the actor got a taste of the Firehouse 51 camaraderie thanks to an unforgettable welcome dinner.
Welcomed Into the Firehouse Family
Speaking with NBC Insider, Larracuente shared how veteran cast member David Eigenberg (Christopher Herrmann) and his wife hosted a dinner that brought together not only the current stars, but also past cast members.
“It’s been nice,” Brandon recalled. “Before we shot anything, David and his wife set up a big cast dinner. What was really nice was it wasn’t just the current cast—there were some cast members from previous seasons. It was nice to see how well these people got along.”
The actor, who has been married to Jazmin Garcia since 2020, added that bringing his wife to the dinner helped him feel instantly at home. “I invited my wife, they all met her, and it just feels like a family. I was able to bond with them before stepping on set at all.”
From 13 Reasons Why to Firehouse 51
Larracuente is no stranger to high-profile television. He previously starred in 13 Reasons Why and The Good Doctor, and most recently appeared in Dick Wolf’s On Call, which was canceled after one season on Prime Video. Now, he’s bringing his talents to NBC’s One Chicago universe, stepping into Firehouse 51 at a time of major transition following the exits of Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett.
Keeping It Light on Set
While joining a long-running show can be intimidating, Larracuente praised the cast for making the adjustment seamless. “It definitely feels like a family, and it’s always tough when you’re joining a show that has built a core for 13 years. But they keep it light on set. At the same time, they respect the work and show up prepared. I couldn’t ask for anything else. It’s a good time every single day.”
He added that the camaraderie directly impacts the show’s energy: “I think keeping it a bit light on set transmits to the work. When you like the people you’re working with, it makes your job easier. They’ve all done their part equally in helping me adjust to the new experience of the show.”
One Chicago Returns This Fall
NBC confirmed that all leads of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med have signed on for the upcoming seasons, including Taylor Kinney, Miranda Rae Mayo, Dermot Mulroney, Jason Beghe, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Oliver Platt.
While cast members may be absent from a few episodes due to new scheduling and budget measures, fans can look forward to 21 new episodes across each series this season.
The One Chicago lineup returns October 1 with:
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Chicago Med at 8/7c
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Chicago Fire at 9/8c
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Chicago P.D. at 10/9c
Episodes will also be available to stream next day on Peacock, where viewership across the three dramas continues to rise year after year.
