Joe Minoso Says Twins Storyline Signaled Time to Leave Chicago Fire
Joe Minoso has broken his silence on leaving Chicago Fire after playing firefighter Joe Cruz. The actor says the character's storyline felt complete, describes tears while filming Cruz's last scene with Severide, and confirms he will stay on set as a director.
Joe Minoso, who played firefighter Joe Cruz on Chicago Fire, said in a round of interviews that the show's twins storyline made it feel like the right time to leave the NBC drama. He will remain on set as a director.
Minoso had stayed quiet before his exit episode, the show's 300th. He is now explaining his departure and his first time directing.
"We had done so much with the character," Minoso said. He recalled thinking about it midseason during season 14 because the show had explored so much.
"When we got the twins storyline, I was like, 'This feels like the right time.' So the news came my way, but I understood it, and they were so gracious," he said.
Death storyline considered
Minoso said the writers had considered killing off Cruz but decided against it. One idea would have delayed the death until the fifth episode and told the rest as flashback.
"That's the beauty of what we do; there are so many ways to bring you in closer to the characters you already love and have them go through something that you can relate to," he said.
Last scene with Severide
Minoso said filming Cruz's final scene with Kelly Severide left him emotional. He said he broke down in tears repeatedly as the two actors worked together.
"I don't think we've really ever had the opportunity to meet those two men on such equal footing in such an intimate, emotional way," he said. He added that Severide is normally a man of few words who does not express his feelings, while Cruz is "the exact opposite of that."
How Cruz leaves
Cruz is injured in the season 15 premiere and left paralyzed from the waist down. Filled with self-pity and anger, he eventually accepts physical therapy after his colleagues at Engine 51 persuade him.
His wife, Chloe, gives birth to premature but healthy twins during the episode. As he recovers, Cruz realizes his family needs him and is afraid of what might happen if he returns to danger.
He and Chloe move to be closer to her parents, where he can continue rehabilitation. The team is heartbroken.
Staying in Chicago
Minoso will not be far from the cast and crew. His directing gig keeps him around the set, and he plans to stay in the city, where he has lived since the start of the series.
"Chicago came calling back, and it's never let me go, which is why I'm never gonna let it go," he said. "I love this city and its people. I look forward to spending a long, beautiful time here."
