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Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) has been the central focus of Chicago Fire over the last few episodes. It's easy to see why. The character has broken lots of rules, dating back to season one, and his past caught up with him in a big way.

Cruz was able to come clean about his mistakes with minimal punishment. Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) gave him a slap on the wrist, aka two week suspension without pay. The peace that's been made with 51 superiors does not mean that Cruz is out of the woods, though.

Leon Cruz will play a big role in season 13 Chicago Fire -- "A Monster In the Field" Episode 13001 -- Pictured: Joe Miñoso as Joe Cruz -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

There's still going to be personal repercussions for what happened between him and former Insane Kings members Flaco (Jose Antonio Garcia) and Junior (Rafael Cabral). This...

Quick Links Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 10 Gives Cruz Resolution Chicago Fire Leaves Much of Firehouse 51 Standing By Chicago Fire Episode 10 Feels Like Crossover Prep

The following contains major spoilers from Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 10, "Chaos Theory," which debuted Wednesday, Jan. 22 on NBC.

Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 10, "Chaos Theory" is a hard episode to put one's finger on. It does provide a satisfying end to Joe Cruz's storyline with Flaco, Junior and the Humboldt Park fire, but not in the best way. The rest of the show is indeed chaotic as other characters feel like they're present just to be accounted for. And knowing that the One Chicago crossover is ahead, the episode has a sense of clearing the slate just to set up the big event.

"Chaos Theory" mainly focuses on Cruz again, as his erratic behavior naturally comes to the attention of Firehouse 51. Meanwhile, Stella Kidd is back...

The spring premiere of Chicago Fire put Joe Cruz in a world of hurt, literally and metaphorically. In Season 13, Episode 9, "A Favor," Cruz is pressured into helping with a robbery to keep a secret from the beginning of the NBC series under wraps. Unfortunately for him, the whole plot goes terribly wrong, leaving Junior Polanco dead and Cruz wounded. Is he finally going to have to face the music for leaving Flaco to die, years after that fateful choice? Or does he still have a chance to cover it up again?

In an interview with Cbr, actor Joe Minoso spoke about his reaction to the show revisiting something that happened way back in Season 1. He talked about the importance of the Flaco storyline to Cruz's character, and his own evolution as an actor. Plus, learn how much it means to him to see Cruz have grown and expanded beyond being...

Chicago Fire, just like the rest of the One Chicago universe, has returned from its midseason break. For the firefighting procedural drama, the show returned with one big issue for one of its key figures. Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso) begins to seek some understanding behind the bullet-shaped pendant urn he found in his locker. In Season 1 of Chicago Fire, Cruz decided to let gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) die in a fire in order to protect his brother Leon (Jeff Lima). However, what he thought was buried resurfaced with Flaco’s cousin, Junior (Richard Cabral), coming out of prison. By the time the winter premiere had ended, Junior had passed, and Cruz's secret seemingly went buried once more, albeit in a tricky state. But how long can Cruz keep his secret from his friend, Severide (Taylor Kinney)?...

People make choices and those choices often have consequences, whether it be big or small. Some consequences manifest almost immediately, but for Chicago Fire's Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso) his manifestation has taken quite awhile to rear its head. In the very first season of the firefighting procedural drama series, Cruz was faced with the choice of saving gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) from a fire, or protecting his brother Leon (Jeff Lima). Cruz made the tough decision of letting Flaco perish in the inferno to protect his brother. With the show in its thirteenth season, its midseason finale saw Cruz's decision come back to haunt him.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9!Chicago Fire star Joe Minoso has confirmed Cruz's fate, while teasing major consequences in the future after season 13, episode 9's shocking ending. Chicago Fire's winter 2025 return saw Cruz being forced to help Junior (Richard Cabral), cousin of gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) who the firefighter let die during a fire in season 1. Junior tries getting Cruz to help him get money back from Moreno, only for them to get ambushed in a firefight. The result is Junior dead and Cruz with a bullet in his arm, Moreno nowhere to be found.

Speaking with TV Insider, Minoso confirmed there will be consequences for Cruz after Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9's firefight, and that he'll be trying to hide the truth from Severide (Taylor Kinney). He confirms episode 10 will take place right afte the shootout, and he begins to plan how to keep what happened under wraps.

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 9 “A Favor.”] Chicago Fire‘s deep cut — bringing back a Season 1 storyline — is leaving Cruz (Joe Minoso) in quite the position. Back in those early days of the NBC drama, Cruz left gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) to die in a fire; he did it to protect his brother Leon (Jeff Lima). Flaco’s cousin, Junior (Richard Cabral), however, knows what he did and leverages it to force Cruz to help him get money back from the person who stole it, Moreno. But that goes sideways: Junior is killed, Moreno flees, and Cruz, with a gunshot wound to his arm, quickly gets out of there. Below, Minoso teases what’s next for Cruz in the aftermath — including trying to keep it a secret from Severide (Taylor Kinney). It seems like Junior being dead is the best-case scenario for Cruz in a way. Joe Minoso: Yeah,...

Back in Season 1 on Chicago Fire, Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) made a tough decision, and the NBC drama has done something we love so much and brought that back to haunt him in a major way in Season 13. It was back in Season 1 that Cruz left gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) to die in a fire, to protect his brother Leon (Jeff Lima). In the midseason finale, Cruz found a pendant urn (shaped like a bullet! with cremated remains inside!), and his brother returned to warn him that Flaco’s cousin, Junior (Richard Cabral), is out of prison. Junior then found Cruz to let him know he saw what he did. Now, in the midseason premiere, airing January 8, “A Favor,” Cruz faces the aftermath of that. Below, Minoso celebrates Fire bringing back this storyline, teases the trouble ahead of Cruz, and more. I have to say I love that...

Chicago Fire has dished out multiple Christmas episodes over the last decade plus. We already singled out the episode "Winterfest" as a candidate to watch with your family during the holiday season. We wanted to do something a little different this year, though, which is highlight the first Chicago Fire Christmas episode.

The episode in question is called "Merry Christmas, Etc." and it aired halfway through season 1. The episode is fun to watch as a time capsule, as beloved characters like Peter Mills (Charlie Barnett) and Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund) are long gone. "Merry Christmas, Etc." also provides glimpses of those who have passed, like Otis (Yuri Sardarov) and Leslie Shay (Lauren German).

"Merry Christmas, Etc." is a season 1 highlight Chicago Fire -- "A Monster In the Field" Episode 13001 -- Pictured: Joe Miñoso as Joe Cruz -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

What makes "Merry Christmas, Etc." such a fun...

Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) was the unexpected star of Chicago Fire's fall finale. The character took center stage with a subplot that involved his younger brother and the relative of a gang member he failed to save during season 1.

It's been a long time since fans have gotten to see Joe Cruz's brother, Leon (Jeff Lima). He was a consistent presence throughout season 1, but he has only made sporadic appearances since then. He dropped by for single episode cameos in seasons 7 and 8, and his return in the season 13 fall finale marks his first appearance since the birth of Cruz's son.

Both Leon and Otis inspired Cruz's son's name Chicago Fire -- "A Man's Legacy" Episode 607 -- Pictured: (l-r) Yuri Sardarov as Otis, Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)

Leon Cruz may have limited screen time within the show, but he shares an important...

The following contains major spoilers from Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 8, "Quicksand," which debuted Wednesday, Nov. 20 on NBC.

Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 8, "Quicksand" is a fine episode of the NBC show, but it's not a great fall finale. Some of the best Chicago Fire episodes have been the jaw-dropping midseason or season finales that feature deep emotion, incredible action and big surprises. While this episode tries to surprise and move viewers, it feels more like an episode that could've taken place at any other time. It's just not dramatic enough to be a finale.

"Quicksand" has a main storyline that calls back all the way to Chicago Fire Season 1, which puts Joe Cruz understandably on edge. There's also a subplot that hints at -- but doesn't explain -- tragedy in Lizzie Novak's past. And there's an adorable dog, but that's not enough to make up for the fact that this episode...

CBS’s FBI season five episode seven welcomes back series star Missy Peregrym from maternity leave. Directed by Stephen Surjik from a script by Heather Michaels and Thomas Kelly, episode seven – “Ready or Not” – will air on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 8pm Et/Pt.

Season five stars Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell, Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom “Oa” Zidan, Jeremy Sisto as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, and Alana De La Garza as Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille. John Boyd plays Special Agent Stuart Scola and Katherine Renee Turner is Special Agent Tiffany Wallace.

Recurring season five guest stars include Roshawn Franklin as Agent Hobbs, Taylor Anthony Miller as Kelly Moran, Vedette Lim as Elise Taylor, and James Chen as Ian Lim.

“Ready or Not” Plot: Maggie returns from medical leave in time to help the team investigate two homicides: a law student on...

When Jeff Lima, an actor of Puerto Rican descent (“Chicago Fire”), began auditioning for television and film work, he noticed something dejecting. “Early on, I can’t tell you how many of the same characters I was going out for,” says Lima, 30, of the stereotypical hardened-Latino roles he was presented with. “Back then I tried to make sense of it and wouldn’t say no to work, but it took a great deal of stepping outside the dream.”

In turn, Lima launched the Jeff Lima Production Award three years ago to bolster Latino representation in film. A $10,000 prize is given to a New York University thesis student or alum to fund a short film that advances the Latino presence on-screen.

“It’s about creating opportunity,” explains Lima, whose judging panel includes NYU faculty members. “As much as I love being in front of the camera, the hope is that this...

Cruz's (Joe Minoso) younger brother Leon (Jeff Lima) just couldn't stay away from Chicago Fire. He is set to return to the NBC drama in an episode airing on Feb. 13, and his reemergence spells trouble for his firefighter sibling.

While there aren't many details surrounding Leon's return, we do know

...

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Other Links From TVGuide.com Chicago FireJoe Minoso...

In today’s TV News Roundup, Netflix teases new stand up special “Ray Romano: Right Here, Around The Corner.”

First Looks

Ray Romano returns for his first stand up comedy special in 23 years with “Ray Romano: Right Here, Around The Corner.” Doing two shows in one night in Manhattan, Romano riffs on friends, marriage, and aging. The specials debuts Feb. 5 on Netflix.

Casting

Jeff Lima is returning to NBC’s “Chicago Fire” in his recurring role as Leon Cruz starting with season seven, episode 15, airing Feb. 13. Lima was last seen in season six. He will return again during the season’s arc in anticipation of a crossover with “Chicago P.D.”

Programming

ESPN+, the network’s subscription streaming service, broke their record for most new subscribers in one weekend. Saturday’s debut of Ufc Fight Night, featuring flyweight champion Henry Cejudo vs. bantamweight champion Tj Dillashaw, drew in an all...

"Some people know better than to stick around in a war zone?!" Rlj has unveiled an official trailer for the action film Bushwick, a very low budget project that first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight category this year. This has a cool concept - it plays out as one single shot following a woman, Brittany Snow, who emerges from the subway in Brooklyn, NYC to discover the city is being invaded by the military. The backstory is that Texas is seceding from the Us, and NYC is under attack. She runs around trying to get home and befriends Dave Bautista. The cast includes Christian Navarro, Arturo Castro, Jeremie Harris, and Jeff Lima. As cool as this may seem, it's actually a terrible film. I saw it at Sundance and hated it, does not live up to expectations at all. I suggest skipping this, it's really not worth your time.

*This article was first featured on Indiewire's Shadow and Act's blog on Oct 5th, 2015

Randy Wilkins is a product of the Bronx which has been evident in the short film he wrote and directed called "Osvaldo's" which was about a single Puerto Rican father of two trying to keep the pieces of his family together as he courts a new woman. The film boasted an impressive cast that featured Gina Rodriguez ("Jane The Virgin") and Lemon Andersen ("Lemon") in the role of the patriarch of the family. Since then Randy has edited projects for Spike Lee as he continued to expand on his filmmaking.

"Docket 32357" was his foray into making a web series. Season 2 introduces new characters which features a large number of Latino actors and a story line that takes the conflict closer to the victims and how it affects their families. “What attracted me the most was it's authenticity, the writing was real, personal, as well as powerful given the circumstances of each character. I look for those moments that are genuine and show an individual's humanity.” says Alexis Suarez. Actor Pedro De Leon says he was drawn to the character of 'Alex', “I guess I understand where Alex is coming from.

He feels the need to be the best there is at what he does to break the standard society has pre-disposed for him. I think he is also very defensive when it comes to his background, so he tries to cover it up by trying to blend in his color, and that makes him a little hypocritical in fact. I think everyone who's not from here [New York] has felt like that at least once.”

Expanding of the importance and truth in Wilkin's work, Jeff Lima, who had also worked on "Osvaldo's," noted that “Relationships among diverse people who share similar profound sentiments toward universal circumstances is a vision which I believe film-maker Randy Wilkins wishes and continues to successfully expound.” On the subject of the roles she usually goes in for, Cynthia Bastidas welcomed a role that she “wasn't asked to put on a Spanish accent.” As he gears up to shoot season 2, he breaks down the journey of concept, fundraising and completion.

Randy Wilkins: “In 2011, Eljon Wardally and I released a short film entitled “Docket 32357,” which is the story of two lonely women who are brought together by a shared tragedy in a courtroom hallway. We were proud of our work and especially proud that we were able to complete it for only $3,500. Our biggest concern prior to sending the film out into the world was, would people engage with a film that features two women confiding in one another on a courthouse bench?

That concern was laid to rest almost immediately when we began submitting to festivals. We were fortunate to have the film play in over 30 festivals and win multiple awards across the globe including the Huffington Post’s Black Voices Breakthrough Theater Series Short Film Award. While we were traveling with the film, our growing audience and community always asked one question: “what happens after the end of the short?” As "Docket" was an adaptation of a feature length play that Eljon wrote, we knew the answer to that question, so we decided to pursue a seven episode web series.

We chose the web series route because it was the most immediate way to deliver the content to our growing and excited audience. We launched a successful crowdfunding campaign through the incredibly dope Seed & Spark, and were able to raise over $12,000 to create the first season. We received a great deal of positive feedback and satisfaction from our core audience. This inspired us to create a second season and reach even higher.

There are a few things about the second season of "Docket" that have me incredibly excited that I want to share. The first is the diversity both in front of and behind the camera. The second season features Black actors, Latino actors, Asian actors and Moroccan actors. In following the footsteps of the first season, our women characters are multidimensional and strong. The talent behind the camera is just as diverse. Our writer is a woman of Grenadian descent. Our producers are a Black woman, A Jewish woman and a Trini man. The "Docket" team reflects the diversity of our audience.

The second thing that has me excited about Docket is that, unlike many crime dramas, our focus is on the impact crimes have on the family and victims. Their voices often go unheard in dramatic entertainment and we feel like "Docket" fills that void. We explore the emotional depth that accompanies tragedy and represent it through multiple perspectives. I am proud of that.

The biggest thing that I’m excited about is our "Docket" community. We like to call them our jurors. It is a fact when I say "Docket" wouldn’t be where it is without our incredible audience. We made the web series because of them and I am asking all of you to join us.

We are currently raising money for the second season of "Docket 32357" on Seed and Spark. Our goal is $30,000 to cover all production costs. We have some great incentives including beauty advice from our on screen stylist character, Cece, a legal consultation call from our main characters Alex Batista and Pete Larchmont, tickets to our premiere, and on screen walk on roles. In addition, all contributions are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsorship with Cinefemme Films. I am also proud to announce that "Docket 32357" is a recipient of the Big Vision Empty Wallet’s Kickstart Diversity program. This will help us build relationships on the production and distribution side to make "Docket 32357" Season Two as successful as it can be.

You can check out the entire first season of "Docket 32357" at www.docket32357.com.

Below you will find the original award-winning short film that launched the web series, as well as the teaser for the second season.

Then visit the campaign page set up for season 2 at http://www.seedandspark.com/studio/docket32357#wishlist . We sincerely hope you consider joining our growing community of Docket 32357 jurors. The jury is in!”

Also check out http://pamsson.com/ for more on Randy's work!

Written by Juan Caceres. LatinoBuzz is a feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices.

Here's today's latest casting news: Dustin Hoffman and Steve Buscemi will join Tom McCarthy's comedy, The Cobbler, starring Adam Sandler, Dan Stevens and Method Man. Lake Bell is set to star opposite Simon Pegg in director Ben Palmer's romantic comedy, Man Up. William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman and John Leguizamo are among those who join the ensemble cast of Bradley Kaplan's drama Stealing Cars. Hit the jump for more on each project. First up from The Wrap is news that Hoffman and Buscemi will be joining The Cobbler. Plot details are being kept quiet but the story centers on "a shoe repairman (Sandler) who integrates himself into the lives of the people whose footwear he fixes." It's unclear what Hoffman's role will be, but Buscemi plays a character named Manny. The indie is currently filming in New York. Deadline reports that Bell will join Man Up opposite Pegg.

Dallas Buyers Club producer Rachel Winter has lined up the cast on her long-gestating next project, Stealing Cars.

Emory Cohen, Mike Epps, Felicity Huffman, John Leguizamo, William H Macy and Paul Sparks are among the ensemble on the drama, currently shooting in New York.

Stealing Cars tells of a rebellious teenager who is sent to juvenile prison and learns to forgive himself in the wake of a tragic car accident.

Winter (pictured) first read the Stealing Cars screenplay 14 years ago and it has been set up at several studios with different cast and film-maker attachments.

She produces the story with Dan Keston while Steve Levinson and Mark Wahlberg serve as executive producers with Erika Hampson.

Production entities are Winter’s Tangerine Films, alongside Benefit Street Films, Truth Entertainment and Two Ton Films. Financing comes from private equity and New York tax credits.

Bradley Kaplan makes his narrative directorial debut from a screenplay by Will Aldis and Steve Mackall...

For one Reagan police brother, the problem was an ex-gang mamber. For the other, it was an ex-girlfriend.

Jamie (Will Estes) and Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) each had concerns in Friday's (Nov. 1) episode of CBS' "Blue Bloods," "Growing Boys," directed by former actor Eric Laneuville ("St. Elsewhere"). Jamie's problem involved a threat to his career, while Danny's posed a mild threat to his marriage.

Shooting hoops with former gang member Tomas (Jeff Lima) in the Juvenile Robbery Intervention Program initiated by Frank (Tom Selleck), Jamie was dismayed to see the youth hassled by some of his earlier comrades. The trouble escalated when Jamie witnessed Tomas being chased by the others, prompting him to give pursuit and yell, "Police!"

The chase ended tragically when one of the potential assailants ran into the path of a car that struck him, causing injuries that left the sudden victim possibly paralyzed from the waist down.

Half Nelson (2006) Direction: Ryan Fleck Cast: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Jeff Lima, Nathan Corbett, Tina Holmes Screenplay: Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden Oscar Movies Recommended Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Half Nelson Although Ryan Fleck's raw, edgy drama Half Nelson could use a little trimming, it is nevertheless a compelling drama rooted on Ryan Gosling's mesmerizing performance as Dan Dunne, a crack-addicted, inner-city high-school history teacher who resorts to drugs in spite of (or perhaps because of) his desire to change the world for the better. Co-written by Fleck and Anna Boden, Half Nelson chiefly chronicles the relationship between Dan and one of his students, Drey (capably played by Shareeka Epps), a teenager whose brother is in jail for dealing drugs and whose future looks equally dim. In most Hollywood movies, those two disparate characters would find redemption through one another, but to their credit, Fleck and Boden don't resort...

A group of losers and a band of girls couldn't stop director Kevin Smith's new film on the home video charts. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cop Out took the top spot on the DVD sales and rentals charts, for the week ending July 25.

The Losers debuted in a fairly distant second place last week, selling only 77% of the units that Cop Out sold. The Losers also debuted in third place on the DVD rental charts behind last week's top seller and rental, The Bounty Hunter, which took third place in sales and second place in rentals in its second week on the shelves. The only other notable new release was the rock band biopic The Runaways, which took fourth place on the sales charts and 10th place in rentals.

The Losers managed to come away with a win on the Blu-ray sales charts, narrowly beating out Cop Out.

The fan-favorite director discusses the Blu-ray version of his latest comedy Cop Out featuring the all-new "Maximum Comedy Mode."

Director Kevin Smith is not someone who is known for mincing words. The fan-favorite director of such films as Clerks and Chasing Amy has always had a reputation for being honest and outspoken about the movie making process. He hosts a weekly podcast online and is known for participating in hilarious Q&A sessions that are often filmed for DVD release. So it only makes sense that the new "Maximum Comedy Mode" feature on the Blu-ray Combo Pack of his latest film Cop Out, available on July 20th, would be the perfect outlet for the popular director. The new feature allows fans to watch the buddy-cop film along with Smith, who periodically pops up with the movie's co-star Seann William Scott to give commentary, introduce deleted scenes, outtakes and generally just...

You can bring home Kevin Smith's latest comedy on DVD and Blu-ray this July. Cop Out will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 20. The standard DVD will be priced at , while the Bd will be priced at $35.99 Srp. You can take a look at the special features and cover art below. The film stars Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Seann William Scott, Kevin Pollak and Adam Brody.

Action star Bruce Willis and ace comic Tracy Morgan play bickering-but-got-your-back Brooklyn buddy cops. Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) directs the gritty, goofball goings-on as the guys hunt for a stolen 1952 mint-condition baseball card, a hunt plunging them into a gunslinging war with a deadly drug ring. Batter up, fans. The boys are ready to take you out to the ol' brawl game!

Special Features:

Deleted ScenesMaximum Comedy Mode with Kevin Smith and Seann William Scott (Blu-ray only)Focus Points (Blu-ray...