‘Chicago Fire’: Hanako Greensmith on Violet & Hawkins’ ‘Undeniable Attraction’

Meredith Jacobs February 22, 2022, 5:30 pm

Hanako Greensmith as Violet in Chicago Fire — Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

Is a new romance about to blossom for paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith)?

Last we saw her on Chicago Fire, she and Chief Hawkins (Jimmy Nicholas) were being a bit less than professional at the CFD gala. However, there’s a lot to take into account when it comes to this potential new romance. He’s her boss. There’s the matter of her ex, firefighter Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende), and their ever-complicated relationship.

Greensmith teases where we find Violet and Hawkins when the NBC drama returns on February 23, plus there’s tension in Ambulance 61 ahead!

Last we saw Violet and Hawkins was at the gala. What’s next for them in this week’s episode after that?

Hanako Greensmith: You are going to see Violet and Hawkins grapple with the responsibility that comes with their titles at the CFD, mixed with their undeniable attraction to one another, and you are going to see Gallo grapple with his own response to that.

What attracts Violet to Hawkins in general? Because he seems like a nice guy, but she can’t just forget he’s her boss and then, like you said, there’s the Gallo of it, too.

What I think is so funny is Gallo is so entirely different to Hawkins, and maybe that’s what right now Violet is attracted to. I think she needs something super different from what Gallo can offer, someone who is emotionally available and who is unafraid to show that they have attraction and feelings for her, and therefore it’s less of a game and more of a journey.

Jimmy Nicholas as Chief Hawkins, Hanako Greensmith as Violet in Chicago Fire

Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

There may be another arson case on the CFD’s hands. What can you preview about how 51 and specifically how Violet and Brett (Kara Killmer) get involved?

You’re going to see Violet and Brett take on a bit of a more emotional responsibility toward a younger victim and seek salvation for her in some way. It’s a really nice storyline, to see Brett and Violet coming together to support a young woman.

What are some other calls coming up for Ambulance 61?

Brett and Violet go through some relatively unpleasant calls in more ways than one, as per usual, and you’re going to see them bond over some of those difficulties and obstacles they have to go through. Also you’re going to see them, for the first time, have a little bit of conflict, which I think is really important to the growth of their characters and their relationship together.

Hanako Greensmith as Violet, Kara Kilmer as Sylvie Brett in Chicago Fire

Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

That’s interesting because their friendship has seemed so easy since Violet came on permanently.

Right, which is lovely, but not totally realistic, right? If you’re working with someone that often, there’s bound to be a moment where things aren’t always perfect, and so I think it’s a really great moment where you get to see Brett and Violet be honest with each other and also therefore come closer together because of that honesty.

Have we seen the most memorable call for you of what you’ve filmed this season yet? The baby and roach have to at least both be up there.

Oh my God, oh, [the roach] was so bad. I will say the baby incident was definitely my favorite this season and definitely the most challenging for me as an actor and as a character, so that was really fulfilling. But you are going to see a different kind of ambo incident later on in the season, which sheds light a little bit more on Violet’s particular specific talent which was a great deal of fun to shoot.

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I’ve loved how seamlessly Violet has fit in at 51, and I’m glad she doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Is she seeing 51 as her permanent home?

I’d like to think so, yeah. There’s this great confidence that comes with her character, so she didn’t have an insecurity about fitting in, she just forced herself to fit in, if that makes sense. That’s been what’s made that transition feel so smooth, both as an actor and as a character. Hopefully as things continue the way they do, we’ll continue seeing her settle more into the 51 family.

Chicago Fire, Wednesdays, 9/8c, NBC