You probably know him as Darren Ritter. For seven years, Daniel Kyri was the beating heart of Firehouse 51, playing the kind of character that makes you actually care about the stakes of a procedural drama. But if you think daniel kyri movies and tv shows start and end with Chicago Fire, you’re missing about eighty percent of the story. Kyri isn't just an actor who happened to land a steady gig on NBC; he’s a Chicago-bred powerhouse who was already tearing up the stage at the Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre long before he ever put on a turnout coat.
Honestly, his rise is kind of a wild story. He originally auditioned for a role that was only supposed to last two or three episodes. He was just a "rookie" who messed up on a big call. But there was something about the way he played Ritter—the vulnerability mixed with that quiet, steel-trap resolve—that made the writers realize they couldn't let him go. Fast forward to 2026, and his recent departure from the series has left a massive hole in the One Chicago universe.
The One Chicago Legacy and That Season 14 Return
It's been a rough year for fans of the show. After the news broke in early 2025 that Kyri would be leaving Chicago Fire after Season 13, the internet basically went into a mourning period. People were devastated. Ritter wasn't just another firefighter; he was a pioneer for Black queer representation on primetime TV.
But here’s the thing: he didn't stay away for long.
If you’ve been keeping up with the 2025-2026 season, you know he popped back up for a limited-time arc in Season 14. Seeing him back on set with Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon via those Instagram teasers felt like a family reunion. His return wasn't just fan service, though. It was about closing the loop on Ritter's story as the department faced budget cuts and restructuring.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
He didn't just stay in his own lane, either. If you’re a completionist, you’ve got to track down his appearances across the whole franchise:
- Chicago Med: He actually appeared here as Lane Tucker in the episode "Devil in Disguise" before he was ever Ritter.
- Chicago P.D.: Catch him in the "Infection" crossover event—Part III specifically—where he brings that trademark Ritter energy to a city-wide crisis.
- Chicago Fire: The main event. From Season 7 all the way through his series regular promotion in Season 9 and his final goodbye.
Beyond the Firehouse: The Indie Films and Web Series You Missed
Most people don't realize that Kyri is a "multi-hyphenate" in the truest sense. He doesn't just wait for his agent to call; he makes his own luck. Back in 2018, he wrote, directed, and starred in a web series called The T. It’s a raw, beautiful love letter to queer and trans friendship in Chicago. If you want to see the "real" Daniel Kyri—the artist who cares about community and authentic storytelling—that’s where you start.
Then there’s the film work. It’s a lot more diverse than you’d expect.
In Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party (2015), he plays Logan. It’s a subtle, intense indie film that deals with religion and sexuality. It’s light-years away from the high-octane explosions of NBC. He also showed up in Night’s End (2022) on Shudder, playing a paranormal investigator. It’s a lo-fi horror flick that really let him stretch his acting muscles in a way that "saving people from burning buildings" doesn't always allow.
🔗 Read more: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
He also had a role in The Thing About Harry (2020), a Freeform romantic comedy that became a bit of a cult favorite. He plays a volunteer in that one, and while it's a smaller part, it’s part of his ongoing commitment to projects that center queer narratives.
The "Kid Nation" Fact Everyone Forgets
Okay, we have to talk about it because it’s hilarious. Before he was a Jeff Award-nominated actor or a primetime star, a young Daniel Kyri was on Kid Nation. Yes, that 2007 reality show where they left a bunch of children in a ghost town to see if they could form a society.
He was only about 11 or 12 years old.
In recent interviews, he’s joked about how "wild" and "borderline traumatic" that experience was, but it’s a fascinating footnote in his career. It shows he’s been comfortable in front of a camera basically his entire life. From Bonanza City to Firehouse 51, the man has range.
💡 You might also like: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
Why He Matters Right Now
The reason daniel kyri movies and tv shows get searched so much isn't just because people like his face. It’s because he represents a shift in how we see heroes on screen. In his Backstage essay, he talked about the "art of code-switching" and the pressure of being the only Black man in the audition room. He fought to make Ritter "unapologetic."
He didn't want the character to be a "two-dimensional cut out."
By bringing his full self to the role—his queerness, his Chicago roots, his theater training—he changed the DNA of the show. It’s why his exit felt like such a gut punch. But as he moves into this next phase of his career in 2026, it’s clear he’s looking for more "complicated Black roles" like the ones he used to write for himself when he was frustrated with the industry.
What to Watch Next: A Quick Roadmap
If you’re caught up on Chicago Fire and want to see what else he can do, here is your homework.
- The T (Web Series): You can find this online. It’s 6 episodes of pure, unfiltered Chicago queer culture.
- Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party: Watch this for his early dramatic chops. It’s a slow burn but worth it.
- Night’s End: If you like horror and want to see him do something completely different from a firefighter.
- Kid Nation (YouTube clips): For a laugh and a look at where it all started.
Moving forward, keep an eye on his music too. He’s been teasing an EP for years, and his background in singing and composing is eventually going to collide with his screen work in a big way. He isn't just an actor leaving a show; he’s an artist who finally has the platform to do whatever he wants.
Your Next Step: If you want to see the project that Daniel Kyri considers his most personal, go find The T on Vimeo or its official site. It’s the best way to understand the creative engine that drives everything he does, from indie shorts to network blockbusters.