Actor Joe Miñoso is departing "Chicago Fire" after 15 seasons, ending his run as firefighter Joe Cruz, a role he has played since the drama's very first episode. His exit is part of a broader shake-up at Firehouse 51, with new cast members and creative leadership arriving as the NBC show heads into a new chapter.

Miñoso started as a guest star in the show's pilot before being promoted to series regular in Season 2, making him one of just four original cast members left, alongside Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg and Christian Stolte. He will appear in a few episodes of the upcoming Season 15 to conclude Cruz's storyline, which ended its Season 14 finale on a pregnancy scare and a cliffhanger fire rescue. His departure coincides with "BMF" actor Da'Vinchi joining as a new firefighter and Victor Teran taking over as showrunner from Andrea Newman. Season 15 premieres on 7 October.