NBC has recently made several significant changes to its “One Chicago” franchise, encompassing Chicago Fire

1. Mass Lead Cast Returns & Renewals:

Good News for Fan Favorites: NBC has successfully finalized deals with the lead actors across all three “One Chicago” shows to return for their new seasons. This includes Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide), Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), and Dermot Mulroney (Chief Dom Pascal) for Chicago Fire Season 14; Jason Beghe (Hank Voight) for Chicago P.D. Season 13; and S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin) and Oliver Platt (Dr. Daniel Charles) for Chicago Med Season 11. This is a huge relief for fans, as some of these actors’ contracts had expired, and Mulroney was initially on a one-year deal.

All Shows Renewed: All three series were officially renewed for the 2025-2026 television season, ensuring “One Chicago Wednesdays” will continue to be a staple of NBC’s fall lineup.

2. Strategic Cast Exits and Role Adjustments (Primarily Chicago Fire):

Budget Cuts Lead to Departures: To manage production costs, Chicago Fire will see the departure of two series regulars: Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver). While they may still make guest appearances, they will no longer be regular cast members in Season 14. This is a significant shift for Firehouse 51.

Herrmann’s Demotion: In a major plot development, Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) voluntarily stepped down as Lieutenant of Engine 51 in the Season 13 finale to allow Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) to take over. This self-imposed demotion is confirmed to stick in Season 14, meaning Herrmann will be serving as a regular firefighter under Mouch. Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) is also confirmed to remain as Chief of Firehouse 51, indicating Herrmann won’t be taking that role in the immediate future.

Stella Kidd’s Pregnancy: The Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire revealed a surprise pregnancy for Stella Kidd, which will lead to Miranda Rae Mayo’s maternity leave in Season 14, potentially thinning the crew at Firehouse 51.

3. New Challenges and Storyline Shifts:

CFD Shake-up: Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman has teased a major “shake-up” within the CFD (Chicago Fire Department) in Season 14, driven by an auditor’s mandate for efficiency. This means no one is safe, and the team will have to work hard to hold together as a family amidst the changes, including potential new characters and rotations of personnel to cover gaps.

One Chicago Crossovers: With the main leads returning across all three shows, the chances of future “One Chicago” crossover events (like the one that happened in early 2024 for the first time since 2019) are significantly higher.
Fewer Episodes for Some Regulars: As a cost-cutting measure, some cast members across the franchise may appear in fewer episodes (potentially 2-4 fewer per season) compared to previous years.

These changes indicate a strategic effort by NBC to keep the popular “One Chicago” franchise robust and engaging for fans while adapting to evolving production landscapes.