More than a decade after the debut of Chicago Fire, original cast member Charlie Barnett has signaled a significant shift in his perspective regarding a potential return to Firehouse 51. Barnett, who portrayed candidate-turned-squad-member Peter Mills for the show’s first three seasons, recently confirmed he is “fully open” to reprising his role.
In an interview with TV Insider on October 24, 2026, Barnett expressed a deep-seated desire to revisit the character that launched his career in the One Chicago universe. The actor stated that the “wish and prayer is still in my heart” to return, marking a notable evolution from the heartbreak he associated with the role in previous years.
This new openness stands in contrast to Barnett’s 2022 reflections, where he admitted that being written off the series in 2015 “broke” him for a long time. At the time of his departure, showrunners explained the move as a creative decision, suggesting that Peter Mills’ character arc had reached a plateau and there were no longer enough compelling stories to tell for him within the ensemble.
Since leaving the series, Peter Mills has remained a frequent topic of conversation among longtime fans, largely because the character was written out without a tragic ending. Barnett was written off the show in Season 3, a narrative choice that leaves the door open for a guest appearance or a multi-episode arc.
Barnett’s renewed interest in the show coincides with his return to the NBC family. He currently stars in the drama Line of Fire, which premiered in September 2026. His proximity to the network and the city of Chicago has already led to recent reconnections with his former colleagues.
While staying in Chicago for a month for personal reasons—notably while his husband, a set designer, was working in the city—Barnett visited the Chicago Fire studios. During the visit, he caught up with original cast members including David Eigenberg and Joe Miñoso. Barnett noted that he maintains active communication with his former co-stars, including Randy Flagler, further cementing the personal ties that could facilitate a professional reunion.
Whether Peter Mills returns or finds a way back into a turnout coat remains speculative, but Barnett’s current stance confirms that the previous friction of his departure has given way to a desire for a legacy appearance.
