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From Gang Member To Criminal Mastermind: A Deep Dive Into Brandon Jay McLaren’s Journey From Chicago Fire To The Rookie's Elijah Stone

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Brandon Jay McLaren is one of the most versatile actors working in television today, a fact proven by his ability to seamlessly transition from playing a reformed gang member on NBC’s *Chicago Fire* to portraying one of the most chilling crime bosses on ABC’s *The Rookie*. This article, updated in December 2025, explores the actor’s impactful, albeit brief, appearance in the One Chicago universe and charts his explosive career trajectory in the years since, establishing him as a master of the recurring, high-stakes television role. His time on *Chicago Fire* was a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his dramatic range in a storyline that dealt with the harsh realities of life outside Firehouse 51’s walls. While his character, Danny Booker, only appeared in a handful of episodes, the role set the stage for the complex, often morally ambiguous characters that would define his later work, including his unforgettable turn as the notorious Elijah Stone.

Brandon Jay McLaren: A Comprehensive Profile and Filmography

Brandon Jay McLaren has built a reputation for embodying intense, complex characters across multiple genres, from sci-fi to psychological thrillers. Born in Canada, his career is marked by a series of high-profile roles that have solidified his status as a reliable and dynamic television presence.

  • Full Name: Brandon Jay McLaren
  • Date of Birth: October 15, 1981
  • Place of Birth: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Notable Early Roles: Jack Landors (Red Ranger) in *Power Rangers: SPD* (2005), Toby in *Harper's Island* (2009).
  • High-Profile TV Roles:
    • Dale Jakes in *Graceland* (2013–2015)
    • Dylan Bennett in *Slasher* (Season 1, 2016)
    • Danny Booker in *Chicago Fire* (2016)
    • Det. Buckley in *Snowfall* (2018–2021)
    • US Marshal Xavier Watkins in *Turner & Hooch* (2021)
    • Elijah Stone in *The Rookie* (2021–2023)
    • Dwyane Andrews in *Wayward* (Netflix Series, 2024)

The Short, Sharp Arc of Danny Booker on Chicago Fire

McLaren’s appearance on *Chicago Fire* came during Season 4 (2016), a period known for its emotionally charged and socially relevant storylines. He portrayed Danny Booker, a recurring guest character who was a former member of the notorious 24th Street Disciples gang. His narrative served as a grounding force, pulling the focus away from the typical calls of Firehouse 51 and into the gritty, interconnected world of the city’s streets.

How Danny Booker Intersected with Firehouse 51

The character of Danny Booker was introduced in two key episodes: “Bad for the Soul” (Season 4, Episode 15) and “Two Ts” (Season 4, Episode 16).

Booker’s story heavily involved Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Firefighter Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso). Danny was trying to leave his gang life behind and build a new future, but his past kept catching up to him, a common theme in the Dick Wolf procedural universe. The plot highlighted the difficult path to redemption in a city plagued by gang violence and underscored the dedication of the Chicago Fire Department members to not only save lives but also to help their community.

Severide and Cruz, known for their deep sense of justice, took an active interest in Booker’s struggle. This storyline was a powerful example of the show's willingness to explore the humanity behind the headlines, making Booker's brief presence feel significant and memorable to dedicated fans of the One Chicago franchise. The emotional weight of his struggle and the danger it posed to those trying to help him provided a dramatic counterpoint to the high-octane rescue scenes.

The Villainous Transformation: From Danny Booker to Elijah Stone

The true measure of Brandon Jay McLaren's talent lies in his ability to completely inhabit roles on opposite ends of the moral spectrum. While Danny Booker was a sympathetic figure seeking a second chance, McLaren’s most recent and high-profile work has seen him embrace the dark side, most notably as the chilling antagonist Elijah Stone on the police procedural *The Rookie*.

Elijah Stone: The Criminal Mastermind on The Rookie

Elijah Stone is arguably McLaren’s most popular and spine-chilling television role to date. Appearing as a recurring antagonist throughout Seasons 4 and 5 of *The Rookie*, Stone is a criminal mastermind who subverts traditional villain tropes.

His character is a formidable foe to Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and the entire LAPD team, portrayed with an unnerving precision that made him one of the most unforgettable villains in the show’s run. Stone's intelligence, ruthlessness, and ability to operate from the shadows made the final confrontation with him a high-stakes, satisfying payoff for viewers. This role cemented McLaren's status as a go-to actor for complex, multi-layered characters who command attention whenever they are on screen.

McLaren's Current and Recent Projects: Establishing Topical Authority

Beyond the Dick Wolf and ABC universes, Brandon Jay McLaren has consistently taken roles in critically acclaimed and highly anticipated series, ensuring his presence remains fresh and relevant in the current entertainment landscape. His versatility across different platforms—network TV, cable, and streaming—demonstrates his broad topical authority.

Wayward (Netflix Series, 2024)

One of McLaren’s most recent and significant roles is in the Netflix psychological thriller series *Wayward*, which premiered in 2024.

In *Wayward*, he plays Dwyane Andrews (or simply Andrews), a police partner to the main character, Alex (played by Mae Martin). The show is set in the seemingly picturesque northeast town of Tall Pines, which harbors dark secrets, particularly involving a school for “troubled youth.” Andrews initially appears as a dedicated, hard-working officer but proves to be complicit in the town’s unsettling mysteries, once again showcasing McLaren's talent for playing characters with hidden depths and moral ambiguity.

Other Key Roles: Slasher, Graceland, and Turner & Hooch

To fully appreciate McLaren's range, it is essential to look at his other major series work:

  • *Graceland* (2013–2015): He was a main cast member as Dale Jakes, a U.S. Customs Agent living undercover in a confiscated beach house in Southern California. This role required him to balance the high-stakes world of federal law enforcement with the complexities of living a double life.
  • *Slasher* (2016): McLaren took on the main role of Dylan Bennett in the horror anthology series. The character, who arrives in the town of Waterbury with his wife, is quickly thrust into a terrifying murder mystery, further proving McLaren's ability to lead a series in the thriller genre.
  • *Turner & Hooch* (2021): In a lighter, family-friendly turn for Disney+, he played US Marshal Xavier Watkins, demonstrating his ability to pivot between dark drama and more comedic, procedural formats.

From the sympathetic, struggling Danny Booker on *Chicago Fire* to the terrifying, calculating Elijah Stone on *The Rookie*, Brandon Jay McLaren’s career is defined by his commitment to fully realizing complex, high-stakes characters. His continued success in fresh projects like Netflix’s *Wayward* ensures that he remains one of the most compelling and essential actors to watch on television today.

brandon jay mclaren chicago fire
brandon jay mclaren chicago fire

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