Actor Charlie Barnett has officially returned to NBC with a series regular role in the network’s political thriller and family drama series, Line of Fire. This marks Barnett’s first major return to an NBC series in 11 years, following his departure from the hit firefighter drama Chicago Fire at the conclusion of its third season in 2015.
In Line of Fire, Barnett stars as Jack Hollingsworth, a character central to an intricate narrative involving an undercover mission and a man previously believed to be dead by his own family. The series, which premiered on September 21, 2026, stars Peter Krause and Hope Davis as federal law enforcement officials whose personal and professional lives collide amid a sprawling government conspiracy.
For longtime fans of the One Chicago universe, Barnett’s return to NBC brings back memories of his tenure as Peter Mills on Chicago Fire. Mills served as a firefighter candidate on Truck 81 and later joined Rescue Squad 3 during the show’s first three seasons. His departure from Firehouse 51 remains one of the most discussed character exits in the show’s history.
Reflecting on Peter Mills’ Divisive Exit From Chicago Fire
Barnett’s departure from Chicago Fire in 2015 was not requested by the actor, but rather stemmed from a creative decision by the show’s writers. Production team members expressed concerns that the ensemble cast was becoming overcrowded and felt that Mills’ character development had reached a natural narrative endpoint.
During Season 3, Mills faced a major health hurdle when he was diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a condition that rendered him unfit to serve on the elite Rescue Squad. Although he briefly transitioned to serving as a paramedic on Ambulance 61 and later fought to pass rigorous medical exams to return to Squad 3, personal circumstances ultimately steered him away from the Chicago Fire Department entirely.
After learning that his family’s restaurant business in North Carolina needed support-compounded by the destruction of their Chicago establishment by an arsonist-Mills chose to leave firefighting behind to help his mother and sister run the family business. While the character left on good terms without being killed off, his exit left several storylines unresolved, including his romance with Gabby Dawson.
Stepping Into a Complex New Role in Line of Fire
Barnett’s new project offers a stark contrast to his days at Firehouse 51. In Line of Fire, his character Jack Hollingsworth was widely believed to have died five years prior. However, the series premiere unraveled this premise through a major plot twist, revealing that Jack is alive and operating under the alias “Joel.”
Operating in the shadows, Jack covertly befriends Logan, the boyfriend of his half-sister, FBI Agent Clare Hollingsworth, to uncover family secrets. The storyline brings psychological depth and physical tension to the screen, allowing Barnett to showcase a darker, more complex persona compared to his heroic firefighter days in Chicago.
Between his breakout runs on Chicago Fire and Line of Fire, Barnett maintained a steady presence across television and film. His post-One Chicago credits include Netflix’s critically acclaimed mystery series Russian Doll, the second season of the romantic thriller You, The CW’s military drama Valor, NBC’s drama Ordinary Joe, and Disney+’s Star Wars: The Acolyte as Jedi Yord Fandar.
Could Peter Mills Ever Make a Return to Chicago Fire?
Because Peter Mills exited the series alive and moved to North Carolina rather than facing a fatal write-off, the door has technically remained open for a potential cameo or guest appearance. Fans frequently speculate about a return, especially following Barnett’s casual visits to the Chicago Fire set to reconnect with former cast members such as Joe Minoso, Anthony Ferraris, and Randy Flagler.
However, bringing Mills back into the fold presents logistical and narrative challenges. With the character fully transitioned out of firefighting and settled into his family’s southern business, any return would require a substantial plot motivation. , scheduling constraints tied to Barnett’s starring role in Line of Fire make a recurring return to the Windy City difficult for the foreseeable future.
For now, viewers can catch Charlie Barnett anchoring the cast of Line of Fire, which airs new episodes Mondays on NBC and streams the following day on Peac**k, marking an exciting new chapter for the versatile actor.
