Joe Miñoso discusses Chicago Fire departure ahead of Cruz’s final episode
The actor’s farewell airs November 4, 2026, but he will return to direct an episode later in the season.
Joe Miñoso will leave his role as Cruz on NBC’s Chicago Fire when the series reaches its 300th episode on November 4, 2026. Speaking to TV Insider, the actor described his reaction to the departure and discussed his involvement in shaping the character’s farewell.
Miñoso has portrayed Cruz since season 1. His exit follows a storyline in which the firefighter fractured his spine during a warehouse fire spanning the end of season 14 and the beginning of season 15. The injury prevents Cruz from continuing his work at Firehouse 51.
The actor said learning about the injury and his departure was initially difficult. He also spoke with the writers about the exit, drawing their attention to earlier storylines and offering ideas. He said the team was receptive to those discussions.
Miñoso described filming an emotional farewell scene with Taylor Kinney, who plays Severide, and said family is central to the episode. Although Cruz will not return, Miñoso is set to direct an episode later in season 15.
