Da’Vinchi Brings a Rebellious Streak to Firehouse 51 as the Newest Face in ‘Chicago Fire’

Actor Da’Vinchi has joined the cast of NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ as a series regular, playing a firefighter candidate named Marcus Burke at Firehouse 51. The casting adds a fresh presence to a long running drama that has leaned on a familiar ensemble for years. For viewers asking who the newcomer is, the answer involves a résumé that stretches across several well known series.

His arrival comes as the show enters a new chapter under showrunner Victor Teran, following the departure of Andrea Newman after last season. The new season was set to return on Wednesday, October 7 at 9 p.m. on NBC, between ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’ That context makes the Da’Vinchi casting one of the more closely watched additions.

Marcus Burke and the Role Da’Vinchi Will Play

Marcus Burke is a firefighter candidate assigned to Firehouse 51, and he is described as roguish and funny, with a dry sense of humor and a slightly rebellious streak. That description points toward a character who may clash with the established culture of the house while trying to prove himself. It is a familiar setup for the series, though the personality attached to it gives the writers room to work with.

His arrival is expected to introduce a new dynamic as he works to earn his place alongside the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51. A candidate has to win trust from veterans who have spent years working together, and that tension tends to produce some of the most grounded character drama in a firehouse story. How the show balances humor and defiance in Burke will likely shape how audiences receive him.

NBC had not released an official synopsis for the season, which kept story details under wraps. That leaves the exact shape of Burke’s arc unclear for now. What is confirmed is his rank, his tone, and his status as a regular rather than a guest.

Da’Vinchi’s ‘BMF’ and ‘All American’ Background

Da’Vinchi played quarterback Darnell Hayes on the CW drama ‘All American,’ last appearing in its seventh season, and also co-starred as Detroit drug runner Terry “Southwest T” Flenory on the Starz drama ‘BMF.’ ‘BMF’ was canceled in 2025 after a four season run. Moving from a crime saga to a network procedural represents a notable change of pace.

His other television credits include ‘grown-ish,’ ‘The Boys,’ and ‘Jessica Jones.’ That range suggests an actor comfortable with both comedic and dramatic material, which fits the way Burke has been described. One report put the actor at 30 years old.

Deadline reported the news with an exclusive, noting that he had played one of the real life Flenory brothers on ‘BMF.’ The casting builds on that visibility and brings a built in audience from his earlier work. For a franchise that regularly refreshes its bench, that recognition is a practical asset.

A New Firefighter Candidate in a Changing Firehouse

Da’Vinchi joins a cast led by Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Miranda Rae Mayo, Hanako Greensmith, Jocelyn Hudon and Brandon Larracuente. He is not the only new face, since Matthew Daddario of ‘Shadowhunters’ was also added as a firefighter candidate, in a role that is possibly recurring.

Da’Vinchi teased that casting on Instagram by posting a photo of himself, Daddario and Larracuente sitting on Truck 81. Jocelyn Hudon had previously told E! to expect a bunch of new probies, saying the audience was going to love them. The onscreen result may be a house filled with newcomers who are eager and prone to mistakes.

That kind of influx can lead to risk taking, as new recruits try to prove themselves without fully grasping the dangers to the team. It also gives the show a way to bring in fresh storylines without relying only on its veterans. Burke could become a useful point of contrast against both the seasoned crew and the other candidates.

Chicago Fire Cast Changes Around the Newcomer

The timing of the casting matters because the house is losing familiar faces. Original cast member Joe Miñoso, who has played Joe Cruz since the first season, is leaving after a few episodes to wrap up his storyline, and Dermot Mulroney, who plays Battalion Chief Dom Pascal, will exit early in the season. Those departures leave open space in the ensemble.

The previous season ended with Severide, Mouch and several other team members trapped inside a building during a dangerous structure fire. The new season has to resolve that cliffhanger while also introducing the people who will fill the gaps. Newcomers like Burke are part of how the series signals continuity alongside change.

The series remains one of the largest and most consistent television productions in Chicago, filming throughout the city and at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. With a new showrunner, a wave of probationary firefighters and several exits, the direction of Firehouse 51 is genuinely open. If you have watched Da’Vinchi in ‘BMF’ or ‘All American,’ do you see Marcus Burke as the right kind of rebellious voice for Firehouse 51 as the veterans step aside?