Joe Minoso Chicago Fire departure, Digi Mart USA News: After years putting out fires and rescuing people on Chicago Fire, Joe Minoso has left the series, leaving behind many memories for fans around the world. After a period of silence, likely kept to protect the plot of his exit episode and the show’s 300th episode, Minoso has done a round of press interviews explaining why he felt it was time to leave and sharing his feelings about stepping behind the camera as a director for the first time.
Minoso told TVLine that when he learned about his storyline for the season, it seemed like a good time to go. “We had done so much with the character.
I remember thinking about it a lot midseason [during season 14], just because we had explored so much. And when we got the twins storyline, I was like, ‘This feels like the right time.’ So the news came my way, but I understood it, and they were so gracious,” he said.
Minoso noted that the producers had considered killing off Cruz but ultimately decided not to pursue that storyline. “There was some discussion about the death not happening until the fifth episode, and everything else being a flashback kind of thing.
But that’s the beauty of what we do; there are so many ways to bring you in closer to the characters you already love and have them go through something that you can relate to,” he said.
Though he will be spending considerable time on set thanks to his directing work, he told Entertainment Weekly that filming Cruz’s last scene with Kelly Severide made him emotional. He said he broke down in tears repeatedly as they worked together.
“I don’t think we’ve really ever had the opportunity to meet those two men on such equal footing in such an intimate, emotional way. Especially with Severide being such a man of few words normally and not really someone who expresses his feelings.
Cruz is the exact opposite of that.”
While the actor shed many tears during his last time on set, he described the experience as largely joyful. He also said he will remain in touch with the rest of the cast and crew.
Minoso says he plans to stay in Chicago, where he has made a home since the beginning of the show’s run.
“Chicago came calling back, and it’s never let me go, which is why I’m never gonna let it go. I love this city and its people.
I look forward to spending a long, beautiful time here,” he told USA Today.
In the season 15 premiere, Joe Cruz was injured and left paralyzed from the waist down. Filled with self-pity and anger, Cruz eventually comes around and begins accepting physical therapy, encouraged by his Engine 51 colleagues.
As he recovers, he realizes that his wife, his newborn twins, who were born prematurely but healthy during the episode, and his sons need him and fear what might happen if he returns to danger. Cruz realizes that Chloe needs his help with the twins and that he must consider his entire family rather than simply going back to the way things were.
He and Chloe move closer to her parents, where Cruz can focus on rehabilitating his injuries.
The team is heartbroken, and Cruz reflects on all those he has loved, kept, and lost during his time in Chicago. Though he will be missed, he has left a lasting impression on his colleagues and loved ones.
