Meet the New Firefighter Candidate Joining the Latest Season of ‘Chicago Fire’

A new face is stepping into the firehouse as ‘Chicago Fire’ returns with a reshaped ensemble. Actor Da’Vinchi has joined NBC’s drama as a series regular, playing firefighter candidate Marcus Burke. The casting was first reported by Deadline.

For viewers asking who the new firefighter candidate on ‘Chicago Fire’ really is, the answer includes a long résumé across network and cable television. His casting was announced in July, well ahead of the new season. Here is what the sources say about the actor, the character and the firehouse he is entering.

Who Is Da’Vinchi and Where Viewers Know Him From

Da’Vinchi was born Abraham D. Juste and is a Haitian-American actor. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is described as 30 years old. His first acting job was on ‘Jessica Jones’.

Many viewers first met him on ‘All American’, where he played Darnell Hayes, the half brother of protagonist Spencer James. He appeared in 18 episodes of the CW series, and he last appeared in season 7 last year, with the show wrapping up its run in its current eighth season. He has said he left to pursue other career opportunities.

His largest role to date came on ‘BMF’, where he played Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, the younger brother and business-savvy brains of the operation. The role placed him among the real-life Flenory brothers, and the Starz drama was produced by 50 Cent. The series was canceled in 2025 after four seasons, which freed him up for his next chapter.

‘Chicago Fire’ Newcomer Marcus Burke Arrives as a Firehouse Candidate

The official description of Burke is specific about his personality. He is called “roguish and funny with a wry sense of humor, and also a little defiant”. That makes him a natural source of friction and humor inside a station that has long balanced action with personal drama.

Burke enters as a candidate rather than a seasoned member of the crew. His arrival is expected to introduce a new dynamic as he works to earn his place alongside the firefighters and paramedics. Da’Vinchi has noted that another newcomer, Matthew Daddario, holds the same rank in the story, which suggests the writers are building a small class of recruits.

The move also fits the broader arc of the actor’s career. He appeared in ‘The Way Back’ as Devon Childress, a star player for a rival team, working with director Gavin O’Connor and alongside Ben Affleck. He also released a first single in 2020 while pursuing a music career, which shows a performer comfortable outside a single lane.

‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Cast Changes Around the New Recruit

Burke joins an established core. The cast includes Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Miranda Rae Mayo, Hanako Greensmith, Jocelyn Hudon and Brandon Larracuente. Those familiar faces will now share scenes with a character who has no history at the station.

The new recruit also arrives as veterans prepare to leave. Dermot Mulroney is set to exit after one episode, while original series star Joe Miñoso leaves after a handful of episodes. Miñoso has played Joe Cruz since the first season, so his exit leaves a noticeable gap that new characters will need to help fill.

Behind the scenes, the series is also changing hands. The new season is the first under showrunner Victor Teran, following Andrea Newman’s departure after last season. Hudon has teased “a bunch of new probies” for the audience to meet, and Daddario is joining as a firefighter candidate in a role that is possibly recurring.

What the Season 15 Premiere Sets Up for the Newcomer

The new season was scheduled to return on Wednesday, October 7 at 9 p.m. on NBC, between ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’ NBC released photos from the premiere, titled “New Blood”, and they include Da’Vinchi in character as Marcus Burke. The title alone hints at how central the recruits are to the season’s opening.

The story has a heavy starting point to resolve. Season 14 ended in May with Severide, Mouch and several other team members trapped inside a building during a dangerous structure fire. The fire took place at a storage facility, and plot details for the new season were scarce ahead of its debut.

That context shapes how a newcomer will be received. A firehouse recovering from a near catastrophe and losing longtime colleagues could be a difficult place for a defiant candidate to prove himself. Readers who followed Da’Vinchi from ‘All American’ to ‘BMF’ may have their own view on whether Marcus Burke’s wry streak is exactly what Firehouse 51 needs right now, and the comments are a fair place to make that case.