Yuriy Sardarov’s Heartfelt Farewell to ‘Chicago Fire’: The Emotional Exit That Shook Otis Forever!

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From 2012 onwards, the firefighter series Chicago Fire, created by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, has demonstrated that prime-time television is far from a relic of the past. As part of the One Chicago franchise, this show offers an insight into the lives of the courageous firefighters at Firehouse 51 of the Chicago Fire Department. Over its 13 seasons, there have been many changes in the cast, with Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden and Yuriy Sardarov as Brian “Otis” Zvoncek being particularly poignant exits for the successful NBC procedural.

Initially, Walker departed the series regularly, but occasionally returned to play the cherished role of Chief Boden, who was later replaced by Dermott Mulroney’s Chief Dom Pascal. Conversely, Sardarov was permanently removed from the show; his character, Otis, met a tragic end during the unexpected Season 8 premiere, following the aftermath of the mattress factory fire plotline in the Season 7 finale. In a touching tribute on Instagram, Sardarov shared a poem about his character and expressed gratitude for the past seven years with the caption “#ChicagoFireForever.

In a chat with MovieWeb, Yuriy Sardarov openly discussed his reasons for departing from the series and discovering the sad end of Otis in the indie sci-fi comedy Daddy.

Prior to joining the Chicago Fire series, I had already known Derek and Michael. Interestingly, they had initially offered me the role. After seven seasons, I found myself contemplating my decision, saying something along the lines of “I think, I think it’s time for me to move on to new opportunities.” We discussed this, but I didn’t anticipate my character being killed off. Derek contacted me to explain the plot twist, and I responded with a mix of shock and sadness, exclaiming, “That’s harsh!” Upon reading the script, I realized it was a fitting end for my character – a heroic death.

Yuriy Sardarov Discusses the Lasting Impact of Leaving His ‘Chicago Fire’ Family

During the interview, Sardarov became sentimental about leaving Chicago Fire in 2019. He expressed, “It affects you in ways you wouldn’t anticipate. You end up caring deeply for everyone involved.

It appears that [Joe] Minoso and Sardarov share a connection that transcends a typical “work friends” relationship. In fact, Sardarov refers to Minoso as if they were actual brothers. Moreover, their bond strengthened significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic within their Chicago Fire family.

I chose to reside in L.A., as Monica Raymund, the actress who portrayed Dawson, graciously allowed us to stay at her place during the pandemic. We grew fond of the neighborhood and feel a deep bond with its people. The most challenging aspect has been not meeting my friends daily; it brings tears to my eyes even thinking about it. I cherish them dearly and am thrilled that the series is still going strong. Yet, I can’t help but miss them deeply.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, you’ll be able to watch Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 18, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC. The following day, episodes are available for streaming on Peacock via the link provided below.

Or in a shorter form:
Catch Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 18, on April 16, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC. Stream it next day on Peacock through the link below.

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2025-04-09 05:31