Michael Bradway, a former Chicago Fire star, is making his highly anticipated TV return with Prime Video’s new original series Every Year After—arriving June 10 with the complete first season. It’s a romance built on Carley Fortune’s book series, and it also m
The sudden quiet of summer after Chicago Fire can feel long—until a new series turns the spotlight back on one of its familiar faces.
On June 10, Prime Video will release the complete first season of its newest original series, Every Year After. The show stars former Chicago Fire actor Michael Bradway, and it’s already being framed as a homecoming of sorts—though not to the character fans last saw him play.
In Every Year After, Bradway takes on a role reversal from Chicago Fire. On Chicago Fire, he played Severide’s younger brother. In the new series. he’s set to play the older brother of the lead character: Bradway will portray Charlie. the older brother of Sam. a character played by Matt Cornett’s character.
The shift isn’t only about age and position. It’s also about genre and tone. Every Year After is a romantic drama based on Carley Fortune’s beloved book series. The first season is told over the course of six years and one week in Barry’s Bay. the lake town that serves as the backdrop for the story. The promise here is romance with a nostalgic pull—first loves. and the choices people make that can stay with them.
For Bradway, this will be his first role since leaving Chicago Fire. The timing is tightly linked to the move itself: his role in Every Year After is what led to his departure from Chicago Fire. Because of production schedules. he was unable to appear in both shows. which resulted in Damon’s departure from Firehouse 51 at the beginning of season 14.
That departure landed quickly. and the impact has been felt in the way fans talk about what comes next for Firehouse 51. For viewers wondering whether Damon might return. the reality is complicated by how central Bradway’s character is to Every Year After. If a second season does arrive—and if the show is well received by viewers—there’s little reason to expect Damon back on Chicago Fire anytime soon.
Still, the exit wasn’t treated as a permanent door closing. The writers left a path open for a future return, with Damon transferred out of 51 to a new house to explain his exit.
There’s even a practical hope folded into all of it. With enough coordination between filming schedules. Bradway could be brought back as Damon in the future—potentially for an episode or two. After an exit that was sudden and rushed due to the nature of Bradway’s departure. fans are left with one clear question: how has Damon been doing since leaving 51?.
For now, the excitement is simpler than the uncertainties. June 10 is close enough that the summer gap starts to feel manageable again. Bradway is back on screens. this time not as Severide’s younger brother. but as Charlie—the older brother—stepping into a romantic drama rooted in a story that spans years and memories. And if Every Year After continues. the next chapter could bring even more attention to his character. including when Charlie’s book is adapted within the series.
Michael Bradway Chicago Fire Every Year After Prime Video Damon Firehouse 51 Severide’s younger brother Charlie Sam Matt Cornett Carley Fortune Barry’s Bay romantic drama