Chicago Fire: Joe Minoso Talks Cruz and Chloe, the Next #Crotis, and the Upcoming Crossover [Video]

After saying goodbye to a close friend we’re going to see a bit of a different side to Joe Cruz on Chicago Fire.

At this year’s One Chicago press day, actor Joe Minoso sat down with reporters to discuss what’s next for Cruz and his relationship with Chloe, the upcoming crossover, and who he thinks may be the next #Crotis on the series.

Minoso began by discussing the response to Otis’s exit on Chicago Fire. “I think it was our best goodbye that we’ve had. It’s an honor to be a part of telling that story,” he said.

“I think Derek [Haas] got his wishes. I think he got to fill a couple of buckets full of tears to drink off of,” Minoso joked. “The desired effect came through. I’m just happy that we were able to tell a story that moved people. I think like anybody dealing with a loss, these things happen in waves. So there’s moments where you’re fine and you’re kind of living your life like you would any other day, and then there’s moments where the weight of it all is just too much to bear. And I think you’ll see stuff like that unfold for Cruz throughout the year.”

As for Cruz’s relationship with Chloe, we’ve already seen a little in terms of the concern she has for Joe. “You’re going to see how the fact that Chloe is really realizing that she’s dating a firefighter, is really going to come to a head,” Minoso said.

“You’re going to see whether or not she feels comfortable with that idea, if it’s something that she can see herself really going long-term with. So that’s going to play itself out in a lot of different ways throughout the year, and we’re going to get to kind of explore what it means for her being with a first responder and what it means for Cruz to be able to try and balance that relationship with her.”

Watch the full video of our interview with Joe Minoso:

We’re also bracing ourselves for the upcoming One Chicago crossover, which Minoso said is really going to feel like a film as opposed to separate episodes of the series.

“This particular crossover has more actors crossing over than ever before. I think you won’t be able to tell which show you’re watching throughout the three hours,” he said. “How we do it at all is a shock to me, and it’s really a testament to the crew. The production staff is amazing.”

When asked to describe the crossover in a few words, Minoso offered the following: “grotesque, fast-paced, death-defying, electric.”

“Grotesque is definitely the first one. The stuff that our effects team has done on this is so nasty. In like, the best way,” he added.

We’ve also met the newest addition to Firehouse 51, Blake Gallo, played by Alberto Rosende. “He’s going to be a great addition to the team. I really love how they introduced him. I love the respect he had for Otis and just the job in general,” Minoso said about Gallo.

“You’re going to see something develop between him and Ritter. That relationship is really starting to meld, and they get along great in real life,” he continued. “I think that may end up becoming the new Crotis, frankly. Those two together, I think, are going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

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Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC. The One Chicago crossover event will air Wednesday, October 16th beginning at 8/7c.

*Additional reporting by Charles E. Henning

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