Get ready, Chicago Fire fans! The first installment of Wolf Entertainment’s Chicago franchise was renewed for a twelfth season earlier this year, and now, after months of waiting, it’s about to make a grand comeback!
With the anticipation of knowing what happens after the nail-biting cliffhanger of the last season, which left viewers on the edge of their seats, it’s safe to say that millions of devoted fans worldwide are curious as to whether any of the original main cast members are returning to reprise their roles and grace our television screens for another season in order to be consistent with the plotlines and character arcs for the show to progress further without any major loopholes.
If you were wondering the same, then we are happy to inform our readers that the triumphant return of the one most beloved character is finally on the cards!
After taking a 10-month break, Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney, who played Lieutenant Kelly Severide, is confirmed to return to NBC’s firefighter drama for its upcoming 12th season.
Despite leaving the series midway through Season 11, as earlier it was reported, Kinney has been on a leave of absence since January, dealing with a personal matter. The fans are happy to know that the star, 42, will be back with his irresistible charm and undeniable talent, which has captivated audiences. In addition to this, the reports indicate it’s not yet determined how many episodes he will appear in, but sources have confirmed that his return will be towards the beginning of the season.
The Chicago Fire writer’s room officially opened its doors earlier this month, October 4th. According to Deadline, Kelly Severide is in the first batch of scripts for the next season.
His further appearances have not been confirmed, though it’s being reported that the actor’s comeback will be full-time since his last appearance in the episode titled “Run Like Hell.” This will be an exciting update, as Kinney sadly didn’t appear in the finale episode of the 11th season, “Red Waterfall.” Instead, Jesse Spencer, who starred as Matt Casey alongside Kinney for 10 seasons, returned for two guest appearances last spring, including in the 11th season finale, in order to fill the absence of this major character.
In addition to this, NBC has confirmed that due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the entire One Chicago franchise (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med) has been delayed to 2024.
It was originally set for Fall 2023, but due to the 2023 WGA Strike, writing and filming have been delayed. Writing resumed after the strike ended in late September of 2023. However, the season may be condensed to 12-13 episodes because of the timeframe. Fire will air on Wednesdays at 9 PM EST, preceded by Med at 8 PM EST, and followed by PD at 10 PM EST on the NBC network.
Moreover, the plotline for his character confirms Severide had left town to go to an arson investigation training program, jumping at an opportunity that was too big to pass up. At the time of Kinney’s temporary departure, Severide was a newlywed, having tied the knot with Stella Kidd, played by Miranda Rae Mayo, at the end of Season 10, which might be expanded further in the new episodes.
The official synopsis of the season has not been confirmed, but the summary reflects the following:
“In the wake of a fire/extremist threat, Mouch’s life hangs in the balance. Sylvie’s relationship with Dylan came to a close, and a new door opened as Casey proposed to her, all the while as she was looking to adopt an infant girl. Stella makes the decision to leave Chicago in hopes of bringing Kelly back.”
Chicago Fire is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment. Season 11 executive producer/co-showrunner Andrea Newman has been named sole showrunner for the upcoming 12th season.
At last, the entire three series of One Chicago are available to watch on NBC’s official website and app, where the episodes are published after they air on the channel. The show is also available to stream on Peacock, FuboTV, and Hulu Plus. You can also stream the series by renting or purchasing on Amazon Instant Video or Vudu, with a vast number of membership plans.
The previous seasons of this beloved franchise are also available to stream for free on IMDb TV, based on the user’s location. For international viewers, the series aired on Global and then moved to CityTV in Canada. Whereas, in Malaysia, the series aired on PRIMEtime for eight seasons, then moved to Universal Channel Asia and AXN Asia.
firehouse 51 = G.O.A.T.s 👏 pic.twitter.com/Xb2gUitUDP
— Firehouse 51 squad (@NBCOneChicago) October 28, 2023