Back in May 2026, each of NBC’s One Chicago dramas locked their respective leads down for contract extensions, keeping Stellaride actors Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo going strong into Chicago Fire Season 15. Unfortunately, Severide will no longer be able to rely on firefighter Joe Cruz to help squash any infernos down the line, as OG co-star Joe Minoso is confirmed to be the last cast member exiting the long-running drama after it returns to the 2026 TV schedule.
But don’t panic just yet! (At least, I don’t believe that’s warranted just yet.) Though Cruz was one of several characters trapped in the Season 14 finale cliffhanger, and his fate technically remains a mystery along with others’, it does sound like the character will survive that harrowing experience. Finger crossed he’ll even live long enough to father the twins that Chloe is now pregnant with, despite that life update making it seem like the character could be doomed.
