India, July 30 -- Television viewers are facing a major casting shock as Joe Minoso, a foundational pillar of the hit NBC procedural Chicago Fire, prepares to depart the long-running series during its upcoming fifteenth season, according to Deadline. Having portrayed firefighter Joe Cruz since the pilot episode in 2012, Minoso's impending exit marks the conclusion of an era for Firehouse 51, leaving only three original cast members remaining on the frontline.

Trade publications and network reports confirmed that while Minoso will step down as a series regular, he will return for a limited handful of episodes in season fifteen to give his beloved character a proper and considered farewell. The announcement comes on the heels of a tense se...