Who Is Burke on ‘Chicago Fire’: The New Firefighter Candidate Joining the Firehouse

Burke on ‘Chicago Fire’ is one of the newest faces at the NBC drama, and he arrives while the series is reshaping its core team. Marcus Burke is a firefighter candidate at Firehouse 51, played by Da’Vinchi, who joined the cast as a series regular. The casting gives longtime viewers a fresh perspective on a house that has seen a great deal of turnover.

The new season returned on Wednesday, October 7, in its usual slot between ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’ That timing matters, because Burke on ‘Chicago Fire’ is introduced alongside a wider group of newcomers and a lineup of departures. Here is what is known about the character, the actor and the firehouse he is stepping into.

Marcus Burke and What the Character Description Reveals

Deadline first reported the casting, and TVLine later confirmed it. The official description presents Burke as roguish and funny, with a wry sense of humor and a touch of defiance.

That combination points to a slightly rebellious streak, and his arrival is expected to bring a new dynamic as he works to earn a place alongside the firefighters and paramedics of the house. In a workplace built on trust and hierarchy, a candidate with an independent streak gives the writers plenty of room for friction and growth.

TV Insider suggested that in a house still dealing with the aftermath of a major fire, that defiant attitude could rub some colleagues the wrong way. It is a reasonable point, since probationary firefighters are usually expected to keep their heads down while they prove themselves.

Da’Vinchi and the Roles Behind the Newcomer

Da’Vinchi played quarterback Darnell Hayes on the CW drama ‘All American’, last appearing in the seventh season, and he co-starred as Detroit drug runner Terry Flenory on the Starz series ‘BMF’. Those two credits show an actor who has moved between sports drama and crime storytelling.

‘BMF’ was canceled in 2025 after a four season run, and his other television credits include ‘grown-ish’, ‘The Boys’ and ‘Jessica Jones’. Joining a long running procedural gives him a steady home on network television after several years in serialized cable and streaming work.

Comic Basics noted that his earlier character was one half of the real life duo known as the Flenory Brothers. The same outlet pointed out that playing Burke shows range, since a firehouse rule breaker is a very different kind of rebel.

The Firefighter Candidate Class Surrounding Burke

Burke is not the only newcomer at the house. NBC’s premiere photos, from the episode titled ‘New Blood’, show the new candidates as Joe Eichorst as Jansen, K.C. McNeil as Hollis, Matthew Daddario as McCaffrey and Da’Vinchi as Burke.

The official synopsis says the team faces the fallout of the warehouse fire while welcoming a new crop of probies. One review of the premiere describes the group as arriving at the house for a rotation in their training.

Cast member Jocelyn Hudon had earlier teased that a bunch of new probies would be joining the show. That suggests the writers intend to treat the candidates as an ensemble rather than leaving Burke to carry a storyline alone.

One advance review found the dynamic between the candidates somewhat off, while acknowledging that this is likely the point because they need room to grow. That early read frames the group as a work in progress, which is where a character like Burke has the most to gain.

A Firehouse in Transition Around the New Candidate

The previous season ended with Severide, Mouch and several other team members trapped inside a building during a dangerous structure fire. The premiere confirmed that every member of the house survived, and it revealed that Severide now serves as captain.

The cast list is also changing. The premiere marked Dermot Mulroney’s last episode as former battalion chief Dom Pascal. Original series star Joe Miñoso is set to leave after a handful of episodes.

Behind the scenes, there is a new creative hand as well. The season is the first under showrunner Victor Teran, following Andrea Newman’s departure after the previous season. All earlier seasons of the show are available to stream on Peacock.

With Severide settling into the captain’s role and a defiant rookie testing the house’s patience, Burke may become either the spark the team needs or one more strain on a crew that has already lost so much, so do you think his rebellious streak will earn him a place at Firehouse 51 or put him on a collision course with Severide?