TV Ring the alarm! Jesse Spencer is returning to Chicago Fire — again The actor departed the show in 2021 but previously made a brief comeback last year for the season 10 finale. By Lester Fabian Brathwaite Lester Fabian Brathwaite Lester Fabian Brathwaite is a staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, where he covers breaking news, all things Real Housewives, and a rich cornucopia of popular culture. Formerly a senior editor at Out magazine, his work has appeared on NewNowNext, Queerty, Rolling Stone, and The New Yorker. He was also the first author signed to Phoebe Robinson's Tiny Reparations imprint. He met Oprah once. EW's editorial guidelines Published on March 9, 2023 10:46PM EST Give a warm, but not too warm, welcome back to Matt Casey. Jesse Spencer is making a return to Chicago Fire after departing during its 200th episode in 2021 and a brief return last year during the 10th season finale. Jesse Spencer on 'Chicago Fire'. Lori Allen/NBC Spencer will slide back down that Firehouse 51 pole once again for the 18th episode of the 11th season, though little else is known about the episode's storyline. Spencer's character Matthew Casey originally left in 2021, relocating to Oregon to care of the sons of his late friend Andy Darden (Corey Sorenson). He came back for the season 10 finale to serve as the best man to best friend Kelly Severide, played by Taylor Kinney, in his wedding to Stella (Miranda Ray Mayo). In January, Kinney announced a leave of absence from Chicago Fire to deal with a personal matter, making his final appearance on the Feb. 22 episode when Severide left town to attend an arson investigation training program. However, a leave of absence implies Severide, too, will return. Meanwhile, adding to the show's defections, co-creator and showrunner Derek Haas will exit the One Chicago franchise at the end of the current season. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: Taylor Kinney is taking a leave of absence from Chicago Fire Jesse Spencer returning to Chicago Fire in season 10 finale One Chicago returns! Here's what to expect from new seasons of Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D.