Christian Stolte – Chicago Fire

By starrymag | September 26, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects you have been working on?

 

A) Shooting “Chicago Fire”is a pretty time-consuming endeavor and I’ve got kids and grandkids that occupy whatever time I have left over from that, so there is not a ton of free time for me to pursue other projects. Miranda Rae Mayo and I have been working on some songs together. We have a gig coming up in October. And Joe Minoso, Yuri Sardarov and I are always mapping out comedy sketches for a future stage show. But other than that, it’s all “Fire” all the time.

 

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “Chicago Fire” and with your character Mouch?

 

A) We have more than the usual number of shake-ups at 51 at the top of the season, so there are a few things that have to be sorted out and adjusted to, not the least of which is the loss of our beloved Dawson (Monica Raymund). We’ve also got a couple new faces at 51, one of whom is a firefighter Mouch becomes personally invested in. They are a couple of fine actors and really lovely people whom I think the audience is going to embrace readily.

 

Q) Do you get much input into how Mouch continues to evolve throughout the seasons?

 

A) Well, yes and no. The writers inevitably incorporate aspects of an actor’s personality that they have observed into future storylines, but it’s not often I propose Mouch-related ideas directly to them.

 

Q) “Chicago Fire” is always pushing boundaries and testing its characters’ limits and relationships. How does this season go even further?

 

A) We are going to see Casey (Jesse Spencer) navigating new waters without his steady partner by his side. I think that’s going to be interesting. And I’ve heard whispers that down the road Mouch is going to get into a rather unpleasant, protracted dustup with one of his closest friends at the firehouse.

 

Q) Will we seeing Mouch bonding with anyone new this season or will he be growing even closer to any of the core group of firefighters?

 

A) There is an interesting dynamic between Mouch and a new candidate that I hope to see play out in unexpected ways.

 

Q) The show often has crossovers with other “Chicago” series. Who haven’t you worked with on a One Chicago episode that you’d like to share a scene with?

 

A) Like every actor I know, I am a huge fan of Oliver Platt and would love to have a nice scene with him. Also, I’d love to work more closely with Colin [Donnell] from “Med,” LaRoyce [Hawkins] from “PD” and I always, always want more scenes with my beloved wife Trudy (Amy Morton).

 

Q) How will Trudy and Mouch’s marriage evolve this season?

 

A) Not really sure about that. We haven’t been seeing much of their relationship lately though, again, I sure would love to explore that further. Amy Morton makes every scene she’s in better than it could ever be without her.

 

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “Chicago Fire” throughout the seasons?

 

A) As we are rolling into our seventh season, there are just too many moments for me to isolate any particular ones but enjoying the company of this cast and finding creative ways to fill our down time has been an endless source of joy for me.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Chicago Fire” that continues to make it such a fan favorite series?

 

A) I think there’s just something universal about the family dynamic on the show and in the nature of the incidents and accidents we respond to. It doesn’t matter what country or culture you come from, when you see a car dangling on the edge of a precipice with someone trapped inside, you have a pretty good idea of what’s at stake.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?  

 

A) It is certainly a whole new world when it comes to audience feedback. I generally enjoy it, but I am easily irked when someone says something nasty or unpleasant about one of my coworkers, who happen to be among my dearest friends. In times like that, I confess I’m tempted to shut the whole thing down and not participate anymore.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work that you do?

 

A) I would like to express my deep appreciation of their support for our show and to assure them we are always doing our damnedest to make this season the best one yet.