Prime Video's Countdown has passed the halfway point of its first season in the 2025 TV schedule, and the action certainly isn't slowing down for Jensen Ackles' Mark Meachum. The show seems to be generating plenty of buzz, and Ackles has certainly proven himself as a leading man who can carry a project for multiple seasons. (See: a decade and a half of Supernatural with Jared Padalecki.) Season 2 has yet to be guaranteed, however, and I recall what creator/showrunner/executive producer Derek Haas shared with CinemaBlend about writing Season 1 and looking ahead to the future.

Haas came to Countdown with plenty of experience on long-running shows as well, as he was the showrunner on NBC's Chicago Fire for more than a decade, and the hard work that he (and Jensen Ackles) put in for stunts in fact reflects some of his comments about Fire often getting snubbed for stunts on the awards circuit. When I spoke with Haas for Countdown during Prime Video's press day, I had to ask: what benefits were there for him to have written all ten episodes of Countdown himself instead of sharing that load? He shared:

The cast who provided Derek Haas with his "embarrassment of riches" is made up of Jessica Camacho as DEA Agent Amber Oliveras, The Flash's Violett Beane as FBI Agent Evan Shepard, Elliot Knight as FBI Agent Keyonte Bell, Uli Latukefu as LAPD Detective Luke Finau, and Grey's Anatomy's Eric Dane as FBI SAC Nathan Blythe in addition to Jensen Ackles as LAPD Detective Mark Meachum. (This Is Us vet Milo Ventimiglia was very briefly part of the cast.)

Writing a full ten episodes is surely a lot of work for a new TV show no matter how talented the cast is and/or how experienced the showrunner is, however. So, I asked Haas if he would want to write all of the scripts himself again if Countdown is renewed for Season 2. He responded:

Well, it's technically only been about six weeks since I spoke with Derek Haas about Countdown Season 2 and got the suggestion to ask him again in a year, but can I be blamed for having high hopes for news of a second season coming sooner rather than later? Eight of the first season's ten episodes have released so far, to a fair amount of buzz. Jensen Ackles even used his post confirming a return to Tracker to hype the latest episode.

For now, keep checking out new episodes of Countdown on Wednesdays with a Prime Video subscription. At the very least, adding to the view count for the series can't hurt its renewal chances, and I for one would love the relief of an official order for Season 2 coming before the Season 1 finale. Most ideally, that Season 2 wouldn't take much longer than the year that Derek Haas mentioned!

Spoilers ahead for the series premiere of Countdown, available streaming now with a Prime Video subscription.

Countdown arrived on Prime Video in the 2025 TV schedule for viewers who had every reason to expect an action-packed new drama centered on fan-favorites Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane. So, the appearance of none other than This Is Us' Milo Ventimiglia undoubtedly came as a surprise, after creator Derek Haas managed to keep his role a secret. But mere minutes after Ventimiglia debuted as Homeland Security Agent Robert Darden, he was murdered, and that was that! Haas spoke with CinemaBlend about why he cast a beloved actor for such a quick and tragic role.

Of course, saying "that was that" does somewhat undersell how much Milo Ventimiglia delivered in his five minutes of screentime. With his few lines, he established Darden as a devoted and loving family man. With his action sequence, he proved that he would have made a great member of the team that has to save Los Angeles... if only the bad guys hadn't caught up with him and shot him through the heart. R.I.P. Darden!

The actor, who was so beloved for This Is Us that the Crock-Pot company had to do damage control after an unfortunate twist for his character, ultimately had a short but intense role in Countdown to set the stage for the rest of the story. When I spoke with Chicago Fire vet Derek Haas during Prime Video's Countdown press junket about Milo Ventimiglia's surprise appearance, the creator explained:

I actually was fortunate enough to speak with Ventimiglia when he was promoting This Is Us back in 2021, and I went away with the impression of a thoughtful actor who went all-in on his performances. Throw in projects like Heroes and Gilmore Girls for Ventimiglia, and Derek Haas certainly succeeded in finding a lovable actor to cast and then kill off.

In fact, for a brief moment, it seemed like Countdown could unite two former CW stars, after Jensen Ackles' Supernatural days and Milo Ventimiglia's Gilmore Girls era. Alas, Ventimiglia's Darden died before Ackles' Mark Meachum even debuted. Derek Haas elaborated on why he was so lucky to even briefly land the This Is Us vet:

On the whole, I'm guessing that the death of Darden will leave even more of an impact on fans with Prime Video releasing Countdown episodes weekly instead of dropping them all at once. Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane explained why they're fans of the weekly release format, which certainly tracks with the primetime shows that shot them to fame. Binge-watching Supernatural on The CW and Grey's Anatomy on ABC was never an option back in the day!

So, was Darden the first of many good guys to be killed off on Countdown, or should we be confident for the rest of the task force's survival? Well, if you watched all of the first three episodes that released on Prime Video on June 25, you might have a pretty good idea of how high the stakes are for the various team members. As a Chicago Fire fan watching Countdown, I did have to laugh a bit that the first major death from a Derek Haas show was named Darden.

New episodes of Countdown debut streaming on Prime Video on Wednesdays through early September. The task force comprised of agents from various law enforcement agencies are facing a ticking clock to save Los Angeles, so be sure to keep tuning it for a solid summer action series.

CBS has been responsible for some of the biggest TV cancellations in 2025 so far, from S.W.A.T.’s third axing (resulting in its upcoming Hondo-led spinoff) to The Equalizer to a pair of already established FBI spinoffs and then some. By and large, FBI: International co-creator Derek Haas has kept mum about the network drama’s fate, as he’s been busy putting the first season of Jensen Ackles’ new drama thriller Countdown together.

Now, Haas has addressed the unfortunate circumstances that left FBI:International fans without a properly conclusive ending for Wes, and told TVLine how he felt after hearing the cancellation news, saying:

Haas also complimented fellow Season 4 recruit Jay Hayden of Station 19 fame, saying he and Soffer were "gold" together as Special Agents Booth and Miller. Though he'd co-created the second FBI spinoff with Dick Wolf and served as the showrunner for its first two seasons, while also co-showrunning his other Wolf-based series, Haas stepped down from those duties on both shows in 2023 in order to embark on creating new projects such as the aforementioned Countdown.

Unfortunately for fans, Derek Haas wasn't able to offer any deep insights into why the drama was canceled, nor where the story would have gone following the two-part series finale that took the Fly Team to Japan. He voiced his trust that CBS' execs had justifiable reasons to end it, though, saying:

But can any decision to cancel a TV series legitimately be entirely unrelated to the quality of the show? One would imagine that'd make the decision to end things more difficult, but as it often goes, narrative superiority takes a backseat whenever money issues speak too loudly.

What CBS' Boss Said About The FBI Cancellations

For what it's worth, Amy Reisenbach did speak out in regards to FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted,, and The Equalizer's cancellations in May when anouncing CBS's Fall TV lineup, and she pointed the finger of blame at financial issues, saying:

Since then, I don't believe any follow-up explanations have been offered that shine a brighter light on what elements of the show became too financially irresponsible. While it's fairly common for network execs to tighten their budgetary belts around the 7-season mark, when contractual rasies become more of a factor, FBI: International would only have been heading into its fifth season, led by two actors who'd only joined the year prior.

Whatever the reasoning may be, fans' best bet for now might be to start hoping that the upcoming CIA spinoff will feature some International vets as guest stars, or that it will offer other kinds of character updates when it arrives.

For so many years, Jensen Ackles fans were spoiled by Supernatural’s seemingly endless run on The CW, and while it’s been great seeing him pop up in a wider variety of projects in recent years, I think we can agree it’s just not enough. Thankfully, he’ll be returning to The Boys and its upcoming Vought Uprising spinoff as the villainous supe Soldier Boy, and will be reuniting with Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins in Season 5. And he apparently filmed a wholly different series in the meantime.

As we wait for Supernatural’s former co-stars to share the screen together again, Ackles dropped the celebratory news that his upcoming streaming thriller Countdown — the latest from former Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas — has now concluded filming. The actor shared the exciting announcement on Instagram, along with a handful of behind-the-scenes pics that unfortunately don’t give fans much to speculate about. Here’s how he optimistically worded things:

Here we are, still mostly in the dark about what to expect from Countdown, and Ackles is already getting his followers hyped up about a potential second season? Let's please not try to start cashing that particular check until Soldier Boy is back in uniform and making Billy Butcher's life that much more complicated.

In the post, the occasional Tracker guest star gave props to Haas as well as the Prime Video series’ producers Marc Bienstock (a frequent M. Night Shyamalan collaborator) and director Jonathan Brown (a vet of One Chicago and other network dramas). With that creative team running things, Countdown tells the story of Ackles’ Mark Meachum, an LAPD officer who joins a secret task force of undercover agents investigating a mysterious murder.

The team, which is culled from all corners of law enforcement, makes progress with their investigation, but once truths start getting uncovered, the various members personal plights come into play, and they have to get past those individual barriers in order to work together and save both their city and the millions of people that live there. No biggie. (Worth noting: the new series also stars The Last Ship vet Eric Dane and All Rise alum Jessica Camacho.)

In the years since he hung up his demon-chasing boots as Dean Winchester, Jensen Ackles has leaned hard on his innate superheroism, as complemented by lots of Batman fan art and live-action rumors. He’s voiced Bruce Wayne and Batman across six different DC Entertainment animated features, from Long Halloween to Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths. And then of course there's his work as Soldier Boy on The Boys and Gen V for his former boss Eric Kripke.

While we may not see The Boys' final season popping up on the 2025 TV schedule, given how effects-heavy that production is, here's hoping we'll soon be able to catch Jensen Ackles keeping people safe in Los Angeles when Countdown hits Prime Video at some point in the future.

Jensen Ackles has been awfully busy as of late. The Supernatural actor had guest roles on both Big Sky and The Boys, and most recently he appeared on CBS’ new hit series Tracker as Justin Hartley’s brother. Not to mention, he was also heavily involved with the short-lived Supernatural prequel The Winchesters, where he served as a producer, narrator, and guest star. Now, the actor is returning to Prime Video for a brand new series alongside Chicago Fire co-creator Derek Haas.

Prime Video has announced that it has ordered the new series Countdown for 13 episodes. Ackles will be starring in it as it was developed for him. The show comes just over a year after he entered a first-look TV deal at Amazon with his wife Danneel Ackles for their Chaos Machine production company. Countdown is also Haas’ first series under his own exclusive overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios. The official synopsis reads:

Considering Ackles played a sheriff in Big Sky’s final season, it will certainly be interesting to see how he does as a police officer going undercover. He can definitely play a range of characters, having gone from a football coach-turned-villain to a demon hunter to a superhero. Now he can add undercover agent to his growing resume, and I'm thrilled about it. 

It will also be fun to see him trying to save the world again, or at least the city of Los Angeles. A lot of us know him because of his tenure on the beloved Supernatural, and while this new show won't have fantastical beings, it will be fun to see him solving crimes and saving folks once again. 

With Jensen Ackles leading Countdown, it’s unclear how it will impact his recurring roles on various shows. After appearing on Tracker, it seemed like the series was setting up something much bigger for the Shaw family. Tracker is returning for Season 2 on the 2024 TV schedule, but it hasn’t been confirmed that Ackles will be returning as Russell. There is a lot more to dig into on that front. At the very least, if he can’t show up in person, maybe he can at least cameo via video. 

Meanwhile, with the show also coming from Haas, known for the One Chicago franchise, you know it has to be good. Haas is partly responsible for getting the entire Chicago franchise off the ground, and he also created fellow Dick Wolf series FBI: International. Four out of five of those shows are still going strong, with the exception of the short-lived Chicago Justice. So, it feels like we're witnessing a dream team in the making with his upcoming collaboration with Ackles.

Countdown has a lot to live up to, considering Derek Haas is one of the masterminds behind a massive franchise and Jensen Ackles led a TV show for 15 seasons. As of now, a premiere date has yet to be released, but hopefully it’s soon. With the two of them attached and likely more exciting news to come, the wait will surely be worth it for those with an Amazon Prime subscription.

The nominations for the 2023 Emmy Awards have officially been announced, and there weren’t too many surprises about which shows garnered the most nominations in major categories like Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Drama Series. There were of course also snubs that have had fans talking, including Elizabeth Olsen not getting a nom for Love & Death and Star Trek being left out of the major categories. Personally, I was bummed to see that another show was left out of a particular category yet again: Chicago Fire. The snub had me flashing back to what showrunner Derek Haas commented back in late 2022, and he’s certainly not wrong!

What The Showrunner Said About Chicago Fire’s Stunts

While Chicago Fire has a lot going for it after eleven full seasons, the show has been delivering cinematic stunts on the small screen going back to 2012. In fact, Severide’s bridge sequence from the Season 11 fall finale was so impressive that I took the time during an interview with co-showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman to say that it was one of the cooler stunts that the show had ever done. 

As you can see in a behind-the-scenes clip below, actor Taylor Kinney did much of the bridge stunt himself:

After my mention of the bridge stunt during our interview in December, Haas responded that he thought Fire does stunts “better than anyone,” and even though it’s a safe show, “it’s scary when you actually shoot on a bridge that’s open and they’re fifty feet up in the air and dangling from ropes.” I then noted to the co-showrunners that the sequence of Severide on the bridge felt like it was out of a film rather than a network TV show, and Haas said: 

Andrea Newman agreed with her fellow showrunner and named some examples of what Fire does that viewers won’t find on just any TV show, including “running into fires and leaping off buildings and jumping through glass and collapsing.” With every season other than the ninth (which was shortened due to COVID-19 production challenges) running for at least twenty episodes, that’s eleven seasons and nearly 250 episodes of stunts that haven’t been acknowledged by the Emmys. 

How Stunts Are Rewarded At The Emmys

There are currently three categories for stunts at the Emmy Awards: Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, and Outstanding Stunt Performance. While I’m not qualified to weigh in on specific stunt performers and Chicago Fire wouldn’t qualify for anything in a Comedy category, surely the original One Chicago show deserves at least a nomination! 

That’s not to say that the shows that were nominated for 2023 were undeserving, of course. Those that are in the running are Prime Video’s The Boys, Disney+’s The Mandalorian, ABC’s The Rookie, CBS’ S.W.A.T., and CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted, with Most Wanted actually sharing a TV universe with Chicago Fire. 

I have nothing against The Rookie, S.W.A.T., and Most Wanted, but if the Emmys were actually going to honor network TV dramas instead of just those on cable and streaming, couldn’t Chicago Fire have at least been nominated? Honestly, pick any episode of the show from the seasons available streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription, and you could find an award-worthy action sequence. I don’t necessarily expect a network TV show to win against the likes of The Boys and The Mandalorian, but some recognition for Fire would be nice! 

If there’s a silver lining, then we can always say that maybe a nomination will come next year. Chicago Fire was renewed for the 2023-2024 TV season, so it will return to NBC for Season 12… once the WGA writers strike is fully resolved, anyway! For now, you can check out our 2023 TV schedule for some summer viewing options and root for your non-Chicago Fire favorites to win at the Emmys. 

Chicago Fire is going strong at eleven seasons and counting with the heroes of Firehouse 51 braving the most dangerous situations in the Windy City to save lives. Although the show is currently on a break before returning early in the 2023 TV premiere schedule, the fall finale delivered a sequence that – according to co-showrunner Derek Haas when speaking with CinemaBlend – shows off what Fire does better than any other show on television. 

In the fall finale, a motorcyclist with very bad timing ran the gate on an elevated bridge as it was raising, and he was stuck on an almost vertical incline, clinging to the bridge grating with his bike in the perfect position to fall on top of him and carry him to his death. Luckily for him, Squad 3 and Truck 81 were on the scene and worked together to rescue the man, with Severide climbing up the bridge, swinging over the top edge, and then belaying himself down while Kidd worked to get the aerial in position and Carver got control of the bridge. 

Chicago Fire pulled it off with a series of practical stunts, with actor Taylor Kinney extremely high up on top of the bridge and doing most of the stunt himself. When I spoke with showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman, I noted that the bridge emergency was one of Chicago Fire’s most impressive and believable stunt sequences, and Newman praised it as “amazing” and “incredible,” while Haas explained why he thinks the NBC drama beats all the competition when it comes to stunts:

Taylor Kinney and any stunt performers may not have been in any real-life danger for the bridge sequence in the fall finale, but the Fire team found a way to shoot it without removing the sense of dread that something could go very wrong for Severide and the man he was trying to save. The stakes feel sky-high on Chicago Fire because of the very real stunt sequences, rather than stunts completely faked with special effects. Just take a look at some behind-the-scenes drone footage of Taylor Kinney himself on the top of the bridge: 

Not all shows can pull off sequences like that, let alone with an actor who already has more than a decade of experience in doing many of his own stunts! The bridge certainly wasn’t the first impressive stunt sequence in the show’s history (and not even the only one in the episode thanks to the explosive cliffhanger), with plenty of examples over the years. 

When speaking with the showrunners, I shared that Severide on the bridge felt more like a movie than a network TV show, and Haas pointed out that Fire’s team does award-worthy work. He said:

Few cable shows even run for 22 episodes per season nowadays, let alone deliver cinematic stunt sequences on a weekly basis like Chicago Fire. Whether or not the original One Chicago series ever wins an Emmy for its action (or at least scores a well-earned nomination) remains to be seen, but fans can count on seeing the heroes of Firehouse 51 back on NBC in the not-too-distant future.

The showrunners already previewed how the winter premiere will pick up on the explosion that caught Kidd and Carver in the blast, with Severide watching from afar. Be sure to tune in to Chicago Fire on Wednesday, January 4 at 9 p.m. ET for the Season 11 winter premiere on NBC. If you want to revisit some of the earlier days of the long-running drama, you can find past seasons streaming with a Peacock subscription!

Fire returns in the middle of a night of One Chicago action, with Chicago Med picking up after its own cliffhanger in the Season 8 return at 8 p.m. ET on January 4, and Chicago P.D. returning in the aftermath of catching the man who showrunner Gwen Sigan described as “one of the worst criminals” in show history with the Season 10 winter premiere at 10 p.m. ET.

FBI: International is going strong in Season 2, although there has been one especially noticeable difference from the first season: Scott Forrester just hasn’t been as hands-on while investigating cases across Europe with the rest of the Fly Team. According to showrunner Derek Haas, there’s a good reason for why Forrester hasn’t been traveling the world with Kellet and Co. as much this season, and it’s not that actor Luke Kleintank is leaving the show. It’s for a happy reason! 

While the fall finale takes the action to Milan and sends Vo undercover, Forrester won’t be as involved in the case as he would have been at this time last year. Speaking with Give Me My Remote, showrunner Derek Haas explained the character’s increased separation from the rest of the team in Season 2: 

Luke Kleintank is a new father, and FBI: International found a way to keep Forrester out of the cases across Europe so that the actor could spend some time with his baby. The actor (who would have quit acting if not for Law & Order: SVU) also got to work with his real-life wife on screen in Season 1, when Christina Vignaud joined her husband in a gala scene. So, for any fans who have been missing Forrester in the mix, there’s a good reason for how his story has been going! 

Forrester not being as hands-on this season also isn’t just going to be ignored as Season 2 of FBI: International continues. With the FBI spinoff already returning fairly early in the 2023 TV premiere schedule, the second half of Season 2 will deliver some repercussions for the agent. Derek Haas elaborated on how the show decided to handle having less of Kleintank early on in the second season, saying:

While the other characters receiving a little bit more spotlight has been a good thing, Forrester’s decisions putting his career in jeopardy undoubtedly isn’t great news for the character once International returns in the new year. Considering that Haas described the situation as a “major second half character arc,” it’s also something that fans shouldn’t expect to just blow over by the end of the winter premiere! It should be interesting to see how open he is with the rest of the team, and how much they have his back if he lets them in. 

Kellett and Forrester are usually ride-or-die for each other, even when their personal relationship has faced threats and after their romantic breakup in Season 1. A lot may depend on how much she and the others are aware of what’s going on with him. The show has also gone through some notable changes since returning in the fall, with former Europol liaison Katrin Jaeger being replaced on the Fly Team by Megan “Smitty” Garretson. 

See what’s next for Forrester when FBI: International returns to CBS on Tuesday, January 3 in its usual 9 p.m. ET time slot, between the returns of FBI (following a fall finale with Nina returning for the first time since Maggie came back) at 8 p.m. and FBI: Most Wanted (which raised the stakes for one character in particular) at 10 p.m. You can also spend the weeks of winter hiatus revisiting earlier days of the FBIs, all available streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

Spoilers ahead for the fall finale of Chicago Fire Season 11,, called “Nemesis.”

Chicago Fire has a reputation for delivering wild finales to keep fans guessing over hiatus, and the Season 11 fall finale closed with the lives of not one but two Firehouse 51 heroes trapped inside of a house with some exploding artillery. After Stella made a fateful choice, she and Carver’s lives are in very serious danger, and that’s only one of the threats left hanging after “Nemesis,” because the return of Emma doesn’t bode well either. Showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman opened up to CinemaBlend about what happened and what’s next!

After the Season 10 finale ended on Stellaride’s lives in danger due to some very bad men with weapons instead of a fire crisis or collapse, Season 11 is a terrifying return to the norm… which could be very bad news for Stella and Carver. When the showrunners spoke with CinemaBlend about the fall finale, Derek Haas previewed the immediate aftermath of the two Truck 81 firefighters being stuck in the exploding building: 

Well, when a raid on the house of criminals known for stashing illegal arms goes wrong, who better than the heroes of Firehouse 51 to risk it all to try and save the day? Stella had some personal investment in the crisis as soon as she learned that Detective Pryma was the one who’d been impaled by an explosive and needed medical treatment ASAP. The explosion happened shortly after Severide arrived on the scene, with just enough time to find out that his wife was inside. Fire won’t return until the 2023 TV schedule kicks off, but I’m already glad that we aren’t facing a big in-show time jump! 

Of course, it wasn’t that long ago that Carver would have been at the bottom of the list of people Stella would have wanted as a wingman in a situation like this. When I asked the showrunners why she and Carver were the right duo to go into the building in bomb gear, Andrea Newman explained: 

To the credit of all the characters on Truck, there was no shortage of volunteers to join Stella on the dangerous mission. Mouch even said that he should go in because it should always be the oldest to risk their life in such situations. But she ultimately chose Carver, who has proved himself as a firefighter and begun to work well within 51. If they both survive this cliffhanger, maybe they’ll have a bond forged quite literally in fire!

There was another shocker in “Nemesis,” although not one that leaves anybody else’s life in jeopardy. As part of a pretty awesome stunt (which sent Taylor Kinney to the top of a bridge, as proven by some epic behind-the-scenes footage) with Severide in serious danger, Carver had to break down a door and push past the bridge operator to reach the controls. The operator filed a complaint, so Internal Affairs sent somebody to investigate… and who should that Internal Affairs person be but former 51 paramedic Emma Jacobs!

Emma’s return came as much of a shock to the characters as undoubtedly to many fans, as it seemed unlikely that she’d ever thrive at the CFD after she bailed on a call back in Season 10. She was so friendly and sweet in "Nemesis" that there’s no chance that she wasn’t faking it, and according to Derek Haas, actress Caitlin Carver wasn’t just back for a one-off. The co-showrunner said:

Well, so much for Violet’s relief at Emma being gone! Firehouse 51 may have to be careful not to even approach crossing any lines lest they get the attention of Internal Affairs, since Emma may keep a very close eye on them. Chicago Fire may resolve the cliffhanger of Stella and Carver’s fates pretty early in 2023 (and hopefully without Severide getting himself injured in the process of wanting to save his wife), but it sounds like the Emma problem will last for a while.

Chicago Fire will return to NBC on Wednesday, January 4 at 9 p.m. ET, between Chicago Med (which dropped a big reveal at the end of its fall finale) at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. (which has some major obstacles and Upton’s obsession in its fall finale) at 10 p.m. For some One Chicago action over hiatus, be sure to check out all three shows streaming with a Peacock subscription. 

Chicago Fire is on the verge of returning to NBC with the fall finale after a brief break, and longtime fans know that Fire finales tend to have very high stakes. In the Season 11 episode that airs on December 7, those stakes will be quite literally very high for Severide, on top of the consequences that both he and Stella will have to face for their actions. Showrunners Andrea Newman and Derek Haas opened up to CinemaBlend about what’s ahead for the two lieutenants, while the BTS look at Taylor Kinney’s sky-high stunt shows off just what the star is capable of after ten full seasons and counting. 

The fall finale will be called “Nemesis,” and Severide will wind up in a different kind of danger than usual. The behind-the-scenes drone footage (seen above) shows Taylor Kinney on top of a liftable bridge at a very steep angle, more than 150 feet in the air. The actor even did most of the stunt himself. The visual of the Chicago skyline in the background on top of everything else suggests that this is a sequence that viewers absolutely will not want to miss. 

Of course, Severide’s skills as a Squad lieutenant that allow him to do things like dangle off the end of a bridge haven’t applied to his situation with the CPD and Detective Pryma in the aftermath of his and Stella’s near-death experience on their wedding night. When I spoke with the Chicago Fire showrunners, they shared how the situation weighing so heavily on Severide will impact the fall finale. Andrea Newman said:

Taking action is definitely in character for Severide, but it sounds like that won’t pay off in the situation with Pryma, the dirty cop, and the whole mess of the criminals who still haven’t been caught. Will he put his fellow 51 heroes in danger on a call, or in what should be a safe situation, like when the bad guys crashed his wedding night? Derek Haas elaborated:

Severide is usually more likely to stop a fight while on a call than to “pound someone,” so he’s evidently at his breaking point in the fall finale. Only time will tell what the consequences will be (and whether or not we’ll have to wait until the winter premiere in the 2023 TV schedule for the fallout), but it seems safe to say that there will be some highs and lows for Taylor Kinney’s character before the end of 2022. 

And he may not be the only one! Stella Kidd has had a rough time as a lieutenant in Season 11 when it comes to Carver, who she did not want to bring onto Truck 81, on top of all the usual stressors of the job. She has of course risen to every challenge so far. When asked if her leadership skills are going to be put to the test again, Andrea Newman previewed:

Whatever this decision is, it sounds like it could be far riskier than anything else she has had to lead her crew through in Season 11! Truck 81 is manned by plenty of capable firefighters, and who she chooses to follow her into danger could make all the difference. Derek Haas shared his own thoughts on Stella’s leadership and the upcoming consequences: 

See how Chicago Fire finishes off 2022 with the fall finale on Wednesday, December 7 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. Med showrunners Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov have already previewed Ethan’s “happy ending” (and some not-so-happy endings) in the medical drama’s fall finale. and P.D. set the stage for an intense episode after the chilling cliffhanger. 

While One Chicago fans are undoubtedly bummed that the Windy City action is heading into a hiatus, the break won’t be too long. All three shows will return to their normal time slots on Wednesday, January 4, and you can always revisit past episodes streaming with a Peacock subscription.

FBI: International is still in the midst of a break before Season 2 returns to CBS with new episodes, but showrunner Derek Haas has already previewed that a new kind of threat is on the way for Forrester and Kellett. The two have a complicated relationship as coworkers/exes/friends, and they’ll soon have an extra hurdle to deal with. 

Kellett and Forrester’s romantic relationship was going strong for some time in Season 1 before they finally had to break up, which wasn’t easy on either of them but didn’t stop them from caring about each other and still having each other’s back. Their working relationship is solid and friendship seems strong, so will they get back together as a couple?

Showrunner Derek Haas weighed in to TVLine about their future, and it turns out that romance isn’t going to be a priority for a valid reason. He said:

Well, it seems that FBI: International is going to threaten the Forrester/Kellett dynamic on the one front that has been unfailingly strong: their work together as agents. The showrunner didn’t drop any major details about the nature of this threat against them, but fans saw them handle the complication of an OPR investigation into Kellett back in Season 1. 

In Season 1, the team was able to connect the dots that the OPR investigator had some sketchy reasons for returning time and time again to dig into Kellett’s history. Will they be so lucky as to face another threat from within who can be disposed of by finding a dirty little secret? Or will this problem go deeper than the OPR investigation did? 

It’s hard to predict much when it comes to FBI: International, as the crimes take the Fly Team all over Europe, and so much of Forrester’s history is clouded in mystery due to his mom. He has had his suspicions about some people he’s encountered back in Budapest, but that storyline doesn’t seem to involve anybody inside the Bureau who would be a threat to him and Kellett. 

It’s also hard to say when International will shed some light on what’s in store for the duo’s professional relationship. The next episode after the break will be centered on Vo rather than Forrester or Kellett, with a friend of Vo’s from the Navy needing help to find a nephew who has gone missing. Forrester seemingly won’t be with the rest of the team, as the episode description reveals that he’ll stay behind in Budapest while the others head to Crete. 

It’ll be nice to get more of Vo after her intriguing episode of Season 1, but it may not have all the answers that fans may be hoping for after Derek Haas’ tease. Find out when FBI: International returns to CBS on Tuesday, November 15 at 9 p.m. ET, between FBI at 8 p.m. and FBI: Most Wanted at 10 p.m. If you’ve missed any of Season 2 or just want to revisit International days gone by, you can find episodes streaming with a Paramount+ subscription. 

Spoilers ahead for the Season 11 premiere of Chicago Fire, called “Hold On Tight.”

Chicago Fire returned to pick up where Season 10 left off with a major cliffhanger, and Stella and Severide’s honeymoon was interrupted in pretty much the worst way. After Severide made some enemies toward the end of last season, they decided to crash the happy couple’s wedding night, and it’s mostly due to Stellaride’s quick reflexes and nerve that they both survived long enough for the authorities to arrive. The bad guys are behind bars, but according to Fire showrunners, this dangerous storyline isn’t over, and there’s a reason why the Chicago P.D. cameo happened. 

While Severide was relieved that he and his new wife survived the immediate danger of the attack on their wedding night, he was stressed throughout the rest of the episode when the dirty cop who allowed it to happen wasn’t identified. He went to Commander Pearce at CPD for help, and the cop on the take who was being used for an investigation was burned. 

It was a rough episode for Firehouse 51’s Squad lieutenant, but he did open up to Stella at the end about how he regretted that his decision to testify put her life in danger. When showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman spoke with CinemaBlend about the Season 11 premiere, I noted that it was great to see Severide actually communicating with Stella in the episode, which might not have been the case not too long ago. 

Andrea Newman agreed about what she named the "growth” of Severide, and shared that they had “talked about that a lot” as part of charting the evolution of his character. When then asked if “Hold On Tight” was the end of this storyline involving the CPD for Taylor Kinney’s character, Derek Haas explained:

Severide’s most recent near-death experience prior to the Season 11 premiere happened in an unlikely place: a courthouse. Their scuffle ended with Severide knocking his attacker out of a window in a very clear case of self-defense, but it was never explained how his attacker even got to him in that building while armed. As Derek Haas noted, he had help, and not all questions were answered in “Hold On Tight.” The co-showrunner elaborated:

Severide did get his way to a certain extent in the episode after he recruited the help of Commander Pearce and managed to go above the head of his CPD contact who wasn’t giving any ground, but he hasn’t gotten everything. For One Chicago fans who also watch Chicago P.D., the morally gray use of criminal informants and sometimes letting bad things happen so that they can focus on the much worse bigger picture is nothing new. 

But Kelly Severide is no Hank Voight, and just trusting that the CPD would eventually bring this dirty cop to justice wasn’t enough for him. He first reached out to a familiar face by contacting Chicago P.D.’s Detective Upton (played by Tracy Spiridakos), who also appeared in late Season 10 to help bust the bad guys. If he thought that Upton would pull some strings and out the cop to help him, he was very wrong. Andrea Newman explained the decision to bring in Upton:

Will Severide’s ongoing storyline after the attack on his wedding night result in more appearances from Chicago P.D. characters? Only time will tell on that front, although there may not be much time for Jesse Lee Soffer to appear as Detective Halstead. The actor is leaving One Chicago part of the way through Season 10 of Chicago P.D. Fire’s Season 11 premiere also packed in plenty of developments for other characters, including a new challenge for Stella as lieutenant and some bad news for Brettsey shippers. 

See what happens next on Chicago Fire with new episodes on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between Chicago Med Season 8 (which returned with some developments for Will and Hannah) at 8 p.m. and the increasingly “messy” (as showrunner Gwen Sigan described it) Chicago P.D. with its new theme at 10 p.m. in the 2022 TV schedule.

Chicago Fire viewers have been waiting nearly four months to find out what happens after the Season 10 finale. Although the more dangerous cliffhanger is the one facing Severide and Kidd on their wedding night (and the showrunners previewed that there will be “prices paid” in that storyline), Brettsey fans have only been able to wonder what the future holds (or doesn’t hold) for Brett and Casey. Showrunners Andrea Newman and Derek Haas previewed the answers on the way, and how soon fans will get them.

While the Stellaride wedding was a happy affair once they were finally able to tie the knot back in the spring, Brett was nearly in tears when she and Casey (with Jesse Spencer back for the first time since the 200th episode) had to face the reality that her life and work are in Chicago while Casey is going back to Portland. She wanted to know how much longer they could keep it up with so much distance between them and so much time apart; Casey didn’t have an answer other than that they were “together tonight.”

It seemed like they were on the verge of a breakup but didn’t want to make it official while at the wedding of two of their best friends, but the conversation was pretty ambiguous. When Chicago Fire showrunners Andrea Newman and Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend, I asked about Brettsey’s status and how early fans can expect to see some answers. Newman shared:

For better or worse, the “difficult decisions” that have to be made will evidently come about in the Season 11 premiere on September 21! There has been no news of Jesse Spencer returning, so it’s possible that any hard conversations will be phone calls with fans just hearing Brett’s side of the conversation. 

That was how Fire was able to deliver updates on their relationship during the span of Season 10 between Casey’s departure and Brett’s decision to spend a longer chunk of time in Oregon with him, and it could work again. Whether their relationship can work after Brett’s realizations in the Season 10 finale is less certain. 

Derek Haas explained his own thoughts on the Brettsey love story and the challenges of long distance: 

As somebody who thought that Brett and Casey’s relationship was doomed pretty much as soon as the news broke that Jesse Spencer was leaving, I have to say that the two really worked at their long distance romance for a long time. Fans will have to tune in to the Season 11 premiere to see what comes of the difficult decisions that the two characters have to make (even if Casey is making his off-screen), but it seems that Brett is back to stay. That’s certainly good news for Violet, after her experiences with Emma last season!

While answers about the future of Brettsey are coming in the Season 11 premiere, it’s probably not the plotline that will be addressed right off the bat in the episode. The cliffhanger saw a pickup truck arrive at the secluded cabin where an obliviously happy Severide and Kidd were ready to enjoy their wedding night. In light of the mess that Severide found himself in with some very bad people, it seems like a safe bet that Season 11 will be off to an exciting start. 

All three shows of One Chicago return to NBC on Wednesday, September 21, starting at 8 p.m. ET with Chicago Med (which was the One Chicago show with a fiery cliffhanger last spring), Chicago Fire at 9 p.m. ET, and Chicago P.D. embracing its new theme at 10 p.m. ET (and getting messy in the process). You can revisit past seasons of the three series streaming with a Peacock subscription now.

Chicago Fire has earned its reputation for delivering wild cliffhangers over the years, and Season 10 ended on the promise that Severide and Kidd’s wedding night was about to take a turn that they weren’t expecting… and then the credits rolled fans into months of hiatus. Now, Fire is on the verge of returning to NBC for Season 11, and showrunners Andrea Newman and Derek Haas talked about the cliffhanger, along with a warning that prices will be paid.

The Season 10 finale (available streaming with a Peacock subscription) ended with the newlyweds off to spend their wedding night together in a secluded cabin, which really seemed like just about the safest honeymoon spot for two characters who tend to wind up in the middle of emergencies on a regular basis. Plus, it came after almost an hour of setbacks that threatened to prevent their wedding from happening, even after Casey returned. Based on the trailer for the new One Chicago episodes, it seems that losing their venue may pale in comparison to what happens that night, as a pickup truck pulled up to the cabin. 

Considering that Severide had recently made enemies of some dangerous men, it’s safe to say that it’s not a pickup truck full of well-wishers to congratulate them on tying the knot. When the Fire bosses spoke with CinemaBlend ahead of Season 11, Andrea Newman explained the importance of cliffhangers and high stakes for this series: 

Longtime Chicago Fire fans can undoubtedly come up with some specific examples of characters being hurt and dying and facing real repercussions. It wasn’t that long ago that poor Otis died, and a whole arc of Season 9 centered on Casey possibly having to retire from active duty due to an injury he sustained on the job years ago. Just last season, it took Cruz some time to shake off what happened to him during the boat emergency. What are the “prices” that will be paid in Season 11, and how high are these stakes? 

Fans can only hope that the people paying the price for their decisions will be the people who seem to be on the verge of crashing the Stellaride wedding night, but it’s hard to say much for sure when it comes to Chicago Fire resolving its cliffhangers. When I asked the showrunners how much they planned ahead last season for what happens on Kidd and Severide’s wedding night, Derek Haas shared:

Andrea Newman added “maybe the weirdest ever,” so fans should evidently buckle up for what comes next in Chicago Fire! At least there is one question from the Season 10 finale that was already answered, as Brett decided that her life is in Chicago, and she couldn’t move to Portland to be with Casey. That decision was not only good for fans of Kara Killmer’s character, but also Violet after everything she went through with Brett’s replacement! 

See what Chicago Fire has in store for Severide and Kidd on their wedding night with the Season 11 premiere on Wednesday, September 21 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Fans might not have to wait until Fire to see the heroes of Firehouse 51 back in action, however, as Chicago Med co-showrunner Andrew Schneider hinted that some of the Fire first responders will appear in the medical drama’s Season 8 premiere just an hour earlier. 

Stellaride may also need some help from law enforcement, but it’s pretty safe to say that Voight and Co. don’t exactly have jurisdiction out in the middle of nowhere! (And P.D. boss Gwen Sigan shared that Voight and Co. will have plenty of messy twists happening on their own show anyway.) One thing that is confirmed is that One Chicago will be back for the season on September 21, and fans should be sure to tune in.

Chicago Fire is just one week away from the Season 10 finale, but fans have had a lot to be excited about since back in April thanks to news that Jesse Spencer is returning as Matt Casey for the first time since the 200th episode. Although Casey is coming back to the Windy City for the happy reason of Severide and Stella’s wedding, it wouldn’t be a Chicago Fire finale if something didn’t go wrong. Based on some comments from co-showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman when speaking to CinemaBlend, I’d say that fans might not be prepared for what’s on the way with the “nonstop” episode. 

The Season 10 finale airs on May 25 and will bring back not only Jesse Spencer’s Casey, but also Kara Killmer’s Brett after her decision to spend time with Casey in Oregon. It’s safe to say that the Stellaride wedding will move forward despite their recent tension over the planning, and if this wasn’t a Chicago Fire finale, it would seem possible that the wedding could go off without a hitch. 

But this is a Chicago Fire finale, and Derek Haas previewed an episode that he expects will provoke some extreme reactions from fans:

That either bodes very well or very poorly for how the episode is going to go for the heroes of Firehouse 51! The original One Chicago show isn’t known for ending seasons with a whimper when it can go for a bang, and Derek Haas’ prediction of fans crying, screaming, or wanting to fling blunt objects at their TV indicates that this won’t be an episode to miss. 

As for whether fans are more likely to curse or praise the showrunners’ names… well, only the finale on May 25 will prove that for sure, but it sounds to me like viewers aren’t ready for what’s in store if those are the reactions that Haas is expecting. When I asked just how far ahead into the next season they had to plan if they’re going to deliver such a nonstop finale, Andrea Newman shared: 

Cliffhangers are to be expected when it comes to Chicago Fire, but the one that ends Season 10 evidently is not the kind that the writers can just figure out how to resolve over hiatus. Historically speaking, finale cliffhangers can be resolved in ways that range from tragic deaths like Otis back in Season 8 to death-free but still traumatizing (for Cruz, anyway) like early in Season 10. (You can rewatch those episodes streaming with a Peacock subscription.)

In fact, Derek Haas cited the Season 9 cliffhanger for Squad to elaborate about planning ahead for Chicago Fire:

So, what’s going to happen that’s so extreme that fans will be ready to throw things, and that the co-showrunners and writers had to plan ahead? The bosses didn’t drop all the juicy details about what’s going to happen, but Derek Haas promised that the Season 10 finale ending “is gonna top” the Season 9 ending with the fates of all of Squad 3 in jeopardy, with Andrea Newman adding that “We’re screwed next season.”

That’s not to say that fans should spend the next week stocking up on tissues, lozenges, and/or bricks to prepare for the Season 10 finale, since it will feature the return of Casey. When I asked the co-showrunners what adjective they would use to describe Casey’s return, Andrea Newman chose “emotional,” while Derek Haas went for “heartwarming.” Newman also shared that Casey “definitely has a reaction” to seeing Stella as lieutenant on Truck 81, and that “he makes some really nice reconnections with his former Truckmates” when he returns. Plus, the bromance with Severide lives on!

All things considered, it sounds like fans should be very happy that Chicago Fire (along with Chicago Med and Chicago P.D.) scored the three-season renewal back in 2020 that already guarantees a return in the fall. Don’t miss the penultimate episode of Season 10 on Wednesday, May 18 at 9 p.m. ET or the finale the next week, between Med (which just delivered a major twist for Ethan) at 8 p.m. and P.D. (which already has sky-high stakes for the finale, according to one star) at 10 p.m. For more important TV dates now and in the not-too-distant future, check out our spring TV finale schedule. 

Chicago Fire partnered Violet with somebody new in the wake of Brett’s departure to spend time with Casey in Oregon, but she definitely hasn’t bonded with new EMT Emma in the way that she did with Brett. Emma lied about her background almost as soon as she boarded Ambulance 61, and then escalated to spreading stories about Violet to try and get her permanent job at Firehouse 51. There are still a few episodes left before the end of Season 10; with Brett not returning until the finale, the showrunners weighed in on Violet’s situation with both Emma and with Chief Hawkins.

Co-showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman recently spoke with CinemaBlend about the very exciting news that Jesse Spencer is reprising his role as Casey for the Stellaride wedding in the Season 10 finale, and they had plenty of good news to share, including about the Casey/Severide bromance. One character may not be getting good news any time too soon, however. When I asked about Violet’s situation with Hawkins and with Emma at this point, Newman previewed: 

Poor Violet is facing the prospect of her new partner trying to force her out of her job at 51, and she’s pretty short on allies who can do something to help her. Gallo and Ritter both know the truth and are on her side, but have no power to do much of anything other than support their friend. She went to Boden to try and get Emma transferred, only to get the bad news that even a CFD Deputy District Chief can’t influence the assignment of paramedics. 

And that meant that her only options were to go to her love interest/boss to try and get Emma transferred out of 51, or else just try and outlast Emma until Brett returns. Unfortunately, as became clear in the last episode before the break (which you can watch with a Peacock subscription), Hawkins stepping in to help Ambulance 61 jump the lines for repairs already got them in some trouble, even though Violet hadn’t asked for or wanted him to help on that occasion. 

Hawkins is already in hot water at the moment, so he can’t transfer Emma away without it seeming like favoritism. According to Derek Haas, Violet is only going to be in a stickier situation moving forward. He shared:

Apparently, Violet’s situation is only going to become more impossible, and whether or not she’ll be vindicated is far from guaranteed at this point. Considering that Chicago Fire likes to go big with its finales, it’s entirely possible that fans will be “throbbing” for Violet to catch a break during the whole hiatus, if the storyline isn’t resolved! 

A lot may depend on whether or not Brett is coming back to stay. The showrunners confirmed to CinemaBlend that Brett won’t be back before the Season 10 finale, so Kara Killmer won’t be back until Jesse Spencer returns as well. If things went well enough for them together in Oregon, I can imagine that Brett would decide to leave Chicago (and 51) to be with him there. That would be bad news for fans who consider Brett a favorite, and could be very bad news for Violet as she struggles with Emma as a partner. 

See what’s next for Violet and the rest of the heroes of Firehouse 51 with new episodes of Chicago Fire on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET until the Season 10 finale on May 25. It continues to air between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m., and all three series are already guaranteed to return in the 2022-2023 TV season.

Season 10 of Chicago Fire hasn’t always been the easiest for Kelly Severide, particularly with Stella’s long absence and the (fortunately brief) tension after her return. The departure of Casey to look after the Darden boys in Oregon meant that he’d no longer see his best friend on a daily basis. Luckily, Casey is on the way back for Severide’s wedding, as Jesse Spencer is returning for the Season 10 finale, and fans will get to see Spencer and Taylor Kinney together again. But how is the Casey/Severide bromance holding up with all the distance? The showrunners revealed their current status. 

Chicago Fire co-showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman spoke with CinemaBlend in honor of the upcoming return of Jesse Spencer after his emotional departure in the 200th episode, and I had to ask for the latest on one of my favorite dynamics of the whole show. Haas explained how Severide and Casey's bond is holding up despite Casey's absence:

It’ll take more than a couple of thousand miles and months of separation to split these best friends and cut Casey as best man! Whether or not Casey is geared up and ready to race into fire with the rest of 51 again when he returns in the finale remains to be seen, but fans at least don’t have to worry that things will be awkward or uncomfortable between him and Severide. Longtime viewers (who can revisit the early days with a Peacock subscription) can certainly vouch for how their bond has been “forged in fire” in the trenches, and it’s nice to know that Severide will have his best friend and best man by his side in Chicago to marry Stella. 

Of course, that’s all assuming that the nuptials actually happen, and nothing is ever guaranteed in a Chicago Fire finale. This is a show that will deal out intense hostage situations in the middle of a season – things can go sideways very quickly in finales, and the showrunners promised as much when talking about Casey’s return. The best-laid plans can be thwarted! Whatever happens by the end of the episode, Andrea Newman was full of praise for Jesse Spencer for returning so that Casey could make good on his promise: 

All things considered, fans have a lot to look forward to with the Season 10 finale, which is saying something since it’s still several weeks away! The episode will also see the return of Brett, who left Chicago to spend time with Casey in Portland. The showrunners have confirmed that the tenth season finale will be Brett’s return, so Violet’s mentions of her usual partner returning in “a month” don’t mean that she’ll be back in the next episode or two. Fire received an order for 22 episodes in Season 10. 

For now, you can look forward to the next episode of Chicago Fire on Wednesday, May 11 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. Check out our spring TV finale schedule for when the One Chicago shows as well as many others will hit the airwaves over the next couple of months.

Chicago Fire fans, prepare to say “welcome back” to none other than Matt Casey! Jesse Spencer is officially returning for the upcoming Season 10 finale in May, and for the wonderful reason of the Stellaride wedding. Co-showrunners Derek Haas and Andrea Newman confirmed that Spencer will be back as Casey for the first time since the milestone 200th episode, and that’s not the only good news that they shared with CinemaBlend for the end of Season 10. 

Fans who have been holding out hope both for the Stelllaride wedding to happen in Season 10 and that Casey would be back for his best man duties are going to be rewarded with a finale to remember. Derek Haas explained how early in the finale planning process the Fire team was able to include Spencer: 

Could Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd really have gotten the wedding that they deserve without Casey on hand to help them celebrate? Derek Haas previously spoke about his hopes for Jesse Spencer to return for later in Season 10, and Casey made some voice cameos while he and Brett were still working on their long-distance relationship. 

Now, viewers are just a matter of weeks away from seeing Casey back, and already knowing a bit about what’s in store with the finale. It’s definitely a big deal for fans, so did the co-showrunners consider trying to keep it a secret for a surprise down the line? Andrea Newman explained why they wanted to share the news early:

“Geared up” is probably a safe way to describe reactions to the news that Casey will be back after months away in Oregon to take care of the Darden boys, to join the people he worked with for so many years on a happy occasion. That’s not to say that everything is going to go perfectly, since this is after all a Chicago Fire finale, and what’s a Chicago Fire finale without plans going sideways? The showrunners didn’t reveal whether or not best man Casey would be throwing a bachelor party for Severide, but Derek Haas previewed:

Andrea Newman concurred, saying that “everything kind of goes out the window.” At least Casey knows his old firehouse and his city well enough that he might not be surprised by things going out the window, after nine seasons in the thick of the action! Of course, Jesse Spencer isn’t the only major longtime Chicago Fire star who has been gone for a number of episodes in the 2022 TV schedule, as Kara Killmer’s Brett stepped away from Ambulance 61 to spend more time with Casey in Oregon. When asked if Brett will be back for the finale, Andrea Newman shared: 

Brett’s absence has been especially rough on Violet, as her replacement has caused a whole lot of trouble. Emma didn’t waste any time in starting to spread lies in Firehouse 51, and Violet can’t turn to Hawkins to get Emma out without risking appearances of special treatment. She has said that Brett will be back “in a month,” and co-showrunner Andrea Newman shared of the finale that “that’s her return.” So, viewers shouldn’t count on seeing Kara Killmer back before the same episode that brings Jesse Spencer back.

All things considered, there’s a lot to look forward to already for the finale, which is still weeks away! Jesse Spencer and Kara Killmer will both be back, Stella and Severide’s wedding is moving forward after choosing a venue in the most recent episode, and those wedding plans will be thwarted. The thwarting isn’t the best news for Stella and Severide, of course, but should make for the kind of thrilling finale that fans (and stars) have come to expect of Chicago Fire.

For now, you can look forward to the next new episode of Chicago Fire on Wednesday, May 11 at 9 p.m. ET between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m, and check back with CinemaBlend for more from the Fire showrunners . All three One Chicago shows have already been renewed for the 2022-2023 TV season, so fans can go into the finales without any fears of cancellation. Check out our 2022 spring TV finale schedule for when to catch the last episodes of the season for the biggest shows on television!

Chicago Fire is still finding new stories to tell more than 200 episodes into its run on NBC, and things are about to get dangerous in a different way than usual for Wallace Boden. The Deputy District Chief may have a long history of running into burning buildings and braving dangerous structures, but the episode that airs on April 13 will see him in a hostage situation. Co-showrunner Derek Haas promised a “real showcase” for actor Eamonn Walker, and the star had some intriguing comments of his own to preview what’s to come. 

Eamonn Walker has been part of the Chicago Fire family going all the way back to the pilot in 2012 (and you can rewatch those earlier episodes with a subscription to Peacock), and has previously weighed in on storylines worth revisiting in the series as it keeps on going. Members of the Fire team spoke with CinemaBlend and more outlets in honor of One Chicago Day, and co-showrunner Derek Haas previewed that the upcoming Episode 18 will be “a giant Eamonn episode,” and “a real showcase and very exciting.”

The show is coming off of an episode that was huge in a good way for Cruz and Chloe as they got the news that they’d be able to keep little Javi in their family unit for a happier twist than what Dawson and Casey got back in the day, but will Boden’s showcase end as well for him as Cruz’s did? Getting the spotlight on Chicago Fire can mean serious danger for whoever is at the center of the action, and the description for the next episode – called “What’s Inside You” – reveals that Firehouse 51 will have to band together due to a hostage situation. 

The promo for “What’s Inside You” makes it clear that Boden will be the one who winds up in the hostage situation, and it honestly looks like a situation better suited for the cops of Chicago P.D. than the heroes of Fire. Still, if anybody would rise to the occasion to save lives no matter what the threat, surely that person would be Wallace Boden! Eamonn Walker of course didn’t spoil everything that is to come with his big episode, but he previewed his own reaction and what’s in store:

Boden’s promotion may mean more desk work, but that doesn’t mean he won’t find himself in the thick of danger from time to time! The promo footage for “What’s Inside You” indicates that the poor man doesn’t wind up part of a hostage situation because he heroically raced into danger, but rather that a simple run to the grocery store took a very unfortunate turn. Take a look: 

Whether or not Boden and the rest of the hostages escape from this situation unscathed remains to be seen. He’ll undoubtedly do everything that he can to help the others and defuse the situation from within the store, which will result in him at gunpoint. It’s probably safe to say that the heroes of 51 will want to pitch in to help their chief as well from the outside. 

Find out when the “What’s Inside You” episode of Chicago Fire airs on Wednesday, April 13 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between Chicago Med (which just brought back Hannah) at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. (which may have just broken up Burzek for the foreseeable future) at 10 p.m. in the 2022 TV schedule.

Spoilers ahead for the February 1 episode of FBI: International, called “Chew Toy.”

FBI: International took the Fly Team to Transnistria for “Chew Toy,” where allies and resources were fewer and farther between than some of their more glamorous cases. Still, they successfully foiled a sex trafficking ring that had ties all the way to New York, and the episode ended on a pretty big cliffhanger for Forrester. When he was sitting in a bar in Transnistria in the aftermath of the case, none other than his estranged mom showed up, played by Lost alum Elizabeth Mitchell. Showrunner Derek Haas previewed how International will handle the aftermath. 

Forrester didn’t actually get any farther than “Hey Mom” in his unexpected reunion with his mother, so viewers were left with more questions than answers about what her appearance will mean for her son at this point in Season 1. FBI: International showrunner (and Chicago Fire co-showrunner) Derek Haas shared some insight with ET after the February 1 episode about what comes next:

The showrunner didn’t drop all the spoilers of what comes next, but fans evidently don’t need to worry that the show is going to skip out on all of the juicy details with a time jump! With the next episode directly picking up from the end of “Chew Toy,” it could start on a pretty tense note. I’m pretty confident that he wasn’t about to jump to his feet and hug his mom! And that’s not at all surprising. 

Whenever FBI: International mentioned Forrester’s mom earlier in Season 1, it wasn’t in the most flattering of terms. Angela Cassidy worked for the U.S. government until she sold information to the Russians and went MIA in 2005. His mom’s reputation caused Forrester some trouble when the Fly Team had to work with a CIA agent, although that agent ultimately tipped Forrester off that Angela was “still out there” in Moscow. 

Forrester is also on somewhat less firm ground in his personal life than he was earlier in the season, after Kellett decided that they needed to break up. Although they were still on good enough terms with each other and had no trouble working together in “Chew Toy,” their dynamic has to be different. It should be interesting to see if he confides in her about Angela turning up, and if so, how much. 

Elizabeth Mitchell hasn’t had much to do on FBI: International just yet, but she’s a TV alum with plenty of credits to her name, including Revolution, Once Upon a Time, The Expanse, and of course as part of the Lost cast. It’s not clear at this point how much International will feature her in Season 1, but it’s safe to say that the next episode will be must-see for fans. And judging by the ratings for the first season, there are plenty of fans to tune in!

The only bad news is that those fans will have to wait longer than usual to see what happens next, as FBI: International is heading into a mini hiatus until it returns (along with FBI and FBI: Most Wanted) to CBS on Tuesday, February 22 in the 2022 TV schedule.

Chicago Fire delivered no shortage of twists in the first half of the tenth season, ranging from the Season 9 finale cliffhanger resolution through to the ambiguous ending to the midseason finale for Stella and Severide. The biggest change to come out of Season 10 so far, however, is undoubtedly the absence of Casey due to actor Jesse Spencer deciding to depart with the 200th episode. His departure meant that the relationship between Casey and Brett in Chicago had to be cut short with his move to Oregon, and their long-distance love story has hit some bumps along the way already. According to showrunner Derek Haas, there will be a development in the second half of the season. 

Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend about what’s in store for Chicago Fire following the winter break. After previewing that fans should be nervous about the good ship Stellaride after their tense reunion at the end of the midseason finale, I asked if Brett leaving a voicemail for Casey rather than speaking with him means that Brettsey fans should be nervous for that relationship as well. The showrunner previewed: 

Brett and Casey are getting a development in the form of her paying him a visit in Oregon, which wouldn’t seem like such a big deal if not for Jesse Spencer’s departure from Chicago Fire and the difficulties they’ve run into in staying connected. Derek Haas didn’t guarantee that everything will continue going well or that Brett will be satisfied with her trip whenever that happens, but he also didn’t give fans anything to be particularly nervous about. So, will Jesse Spencer return?

At the time of writing, it seems there is also no guarantee that Casey will appear in the flesh again in Season 10, or even make a voice cameo like he did following the 200th episode. Derek Haas’ comments about the second half of the season echo what he said ahead of that milestone episode, in that he hopes Spencer will return. Speaking with press ahead of the 200th episode back in October, the showrunner said:

As for whether Spencer returns, that remains to be seen. The future of Brett and Casey as a couple is uncertain as well, even if their relationship is “doing great” off-screen for now. Spencer is not slated to return as a series regular; assuming that Kara Killmer isn’t going anywhere and Brett’s storyline with paramedicine keeps picking up steam, Brett may have stronger ties to Chicago than ever before. 

Of course, Casey’s move to Oregon means that he’s still closer than some other departures, and even Dawson managed to return despite her departure for Puerto Rico. It’s not hard to imagine a scenario that would bring Casey back, if only Spencer can make it work. Severide and Stella’s wedding seemed like a top contender, but even that isn’t guaranteed anymore after she went radio silent on him and, based on the promo for the midseason premiere, may not be ready for marriage after all. Take a look:

Unfortunately, the wait to see what’s next for Brettsey and Stellaride isn’t over yet. Chicago Fire will return with the midseason premiere on Wednesday, January 5 in its usual 9 p.m. ET time slot on NBC, between the Chicago Med return at 8 p.m. ET (with a cliffhanger for Will and Goodwin) and the Chicago P.D. return at 10 p.m. ET with the first episode of Upton and Halstead as a married couple. 

Warning: spoilers ahead for the midseason finale of Chicago Fire Season 10 on NBC, called “Winterfest.”

The winter finale of Chicago Fire delivered some big twists, but Season 10 didn’t go for the kind of life-or-death cliffhanger that has left fans on the edges of their seats for weeks. Instead of ending with any deadly infernos or potential cave-ins or floods, the biggest cliffhanger of “Winterfest” involved Stella and Severide’s relationship. Severide has been missing her ever since her Girls on Fire trip started getting longer and longer, and she stopped answering his calls and texts. She finally turned up at the end of “Winterfest,” but it wasn’t exactly a joyous reunion. Showrunner Derek Haas shed some light on what happens next following the Stellaride cliffhanger!

Stella only appeared in the final moments of the midseason finale, when Severide returned to the loft only to find her standing there surrounded by her luggage. While I was reminded of the shot of Monica Raymund’s Dawson saying her goodbye to Casey before leaving for Puerto Rico, it’s probably safe to say that the story for Stella will go in a very different direction, and fans will get to see exactly what happens next. When I asked Derek Haas about a time jump between the midseason finale and winter premiere, he shared:

On the one hand, fans have the good news that Chicago Fire isn’t going to jump a few weeks ahead from what seemed to be a tense reunion between the engaged couple. On the other hand… Severide didn’t exactly run to her and sweep her off her feet, and she didn’t race over to him. When asked how nervous fans should be for Stellaride after their reunion, the showrunner previewed:

Well, that’s troubling news considering Chicago Fire is heading into hiatus instead of revealing what happens next as soon as next Wednesday! Still, Chicago Fire isn’t known for delivering finales that are 100% calm and cool, and even a holiday-themed episode couldn’t be an hour of holly-jolliness! 

In fact, it was a bit of a departure that Fire didn’t deliver a life-or-death cliffhanger. Derek Haas explained the decision to end the first half of Season 10 on a “personal” cliffhanger rather than one that leaves the fates of beloved characters uncertain, saying:

It really wasn’t that long ago that the entire Squad of Firehouse 51 was trapped at the bottom of Lake Michigan with seemingly no way to surface before they drowned, so it might have been a little soon for something horrible to happen again. Plus, losing Jesse Spencer as Casey was a blow despite Fire finding a way to say goodbye to the character without killing him off. There’s still tension with the Stellaride cliffhanger, but at least neither of them is in imminent danger! 

And it’s a good sign that Miranda Rae Mayo is finally back as Stella Kidd. Based on some further comments from Derek Haas, viewers don’t have to be nervous that she’s just dropping in for a cameo before leaving again. The showrunner shared:

Miranda Rae Mayo is apparently back and sticking around! Her availability earlier than Derek Haas expected enabled Chicago Fire to deliver a taste of Stellaride, beyond Severide trying to contact her about why she hasn’t come back to claim the position as Truck 81 lieutenant that she seemed downright destined for after Casey left. And since she’ll be “in action at Firehouse 51 again,” that presumably means that she’ll be back on Truck working under Brett Dalton’s Lt. Pelham. 

Derek Haas previously confirmed that Brett Dalton isn’t going anywhere, so it seems safe to say that Stella won’t waltz back in to 51 and take the spot as lieutenant, if that’s even what she still wants. See what happens next when Chicago Fire returns for the second half of Season 10 on Wednesday, January 5 at 9 p.m. ET, between the winter premieres of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. Based on the events (and cliffhanger) of Chicago Med in 2021 and what’s been happening on P.D., fans should be sure to tune in! 

Chicago Fire is returning from a few weeks off to end 2021 with a holiday-themed winter finale, and fans shouldn’t head into the episode expecting just an hour of holly-jolly merriness at Firehouse 51. The episode, called “Winterfest,” will see the long-awaited return of a character who has been missing for several episodes and the stakes rising higher than ever when it comes to Stella, Severide, and Pelham. Fire showrunner Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend about what’s on the way in Season 10, and fans should evidently start worrying. 

Stella technically left Chicago for a good reason, as she was taking a furlough to expand the Girls on Fire program, but her absence and lack of communication are affecting Severide. Plus, the addition of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. alum Brett Dalton as the Truck lieutenant filling the vacant spot while she’s gone just complicates the issue further. Derek Haas opened up about how the winter finale will set up the second half of the season in 2022, including Miranda Rae Mayo back as Stella Kidd:

The sadness of saying goodbye to Casey seemed to have the silver lining of opening up the officer spot on Truck 81 just in time for Stella to take, so her absence and silence have created a big mystery… and not one that Severide is exactly enjoying. When I asked how merry Severide will be feeling after first having to say goodbye to Casey and then Stella going silent on him, the showrunner shared:

For a long time, a spot as lieutenant at 51 seemed to be precisely what she wanted, and fans have no more insight about what exactly she has been doing (other than not communicating with her fiancé) than Severide does. And according to Derek Haas, that’s something to be uneasy about moving forward, based on his response when asked if fans should be worried that she hasn't been responding:

Well, at least that means Chicago Fire isn’t going to wrap this intriguing story for Stella (and Severide) within the span of the winter finale! The showrunner’s comments do suggest that fans will have reason to be on edge during the winter hiatus, but winter finales on Chicago Fire generally are not calm episodes from start to finish. Plus, Firehouse 51 already has a candidate who could take the spot as Truck lieutenant on a permanent basis. Derek Haas weighed in on whether Brett Dalton will be sticking around as Jason Pelham: 

Unfortunately for fans holding out hope that Stella would be able to swoop back in and easily claim the spot as Truck lieutenant, Pelham happens to be extremely competent at his job and is fitting in about as well at 51 as could be hoped for a newcomer. When I noted that there’s the conflict of Pelham as a great CFD officer while also being in line for the job that seemed destined for Stella, the showrunner explained:

All things considered, it sounds like Chicago Fire is going to deliver plenty of twists when it comes to Stella, Severide, and Pelham to close out 2021. Be sure to tune in to NBC on Wednesday, December 8 at 9 p.m. ET to catch the winter finale of Chicago Fire, right between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. 

And fortunately, fans don’t have long to wait into 2022 to see whatever worrying developments happen next for Stella Kidd. Chicago Fire (along with Med and P.D.) will return to NBC with its winter premiere on Wednesday, January 5, so don’t forget to mark your calendars!

Chicago Fire delivered arguably the biggest game-changer in its ten seasons so far when the 200th episode said goodbye to Jesse Spencer as Matt Casey. Spencer’s exit didn’t come as a huge surprise, as Fire brought back the Darden boys earlier in Season 10 to set up a reason why Casey would actually leave his family at Firehouse 51. Still, it was an emotional episode that balanced saying goodbye to Casey (and Jesse Spencer) with setting up what comes next for Brett, Severide, and the rest at 51. There are plenty of questions as Season 10 moves forward; fortunately, thanks to Spencer and showrunner Derek Haas, there are also some answers. 

Jesse Spencer and showrunner Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend and other outlets in honor of Chicago Fire’s 200th episode. On top of breaking down Casey’s difficult decision and his final scenes of the series as a regular, they weighed in on what the future looks like for Fire, the status of Brettsey moving forward, whether Spencer could return, and more. Let’s start with the most pressing question! 

Will Jesse Spencer Return As Casey?

Chicago Fire gave Jesse Spencer about as open an ending as possible, not killing Casey off like Otis or Shay and not sending him away indefinitely like Dawson. Casey himself repeatedly said that he could be back in three years, after both Darden boys were 18, and he still has close bonds that he fully intends to hold onto with the people he left behind in Chicago. So Casey could return; will Spencer do it? Derek Haas previewed what’s on the way:

Fans shouldn’t expect to see Casey back in the flesh any time soon (and Jesse Spencer can keep on growing a non-Casey beard if he wants to), but apparently Spencer will make at least one voice cameo after Casey made the move to Oregon, and Derek Haas hopes to reach out to Spencer at some point. Given that there was no guarantee that Spencer would come back in Season 10 for enough episodes to hit 200 as Casey, it’s pretty easy to agree that Spencer was generous for what he has already delivered in Season 10.

Will Casey Return For Any Major Events?

Since Casey himself made the point that traveling between Chicago and Oregon doesn’t mean cutting all ties, he’s only a plane ride away from the people he loves who are still in Chicago. Plus, Casey is meant to be Severide’s best man at his wedding to Stella Kidd, so it’s hard to believe that Casey wouldn’t be back at all for big events. When asked about possibly returning for a special event, Spencer responded “I mean, how could I not?” Derek Haas weighed in himself, saying:

Nothing is guaranteed about Jesse Spencer returning to Chicago Fire in Season 10 – or even Severide and Stella tying the knot in Season 10, for that matter – but Derek Haas’ willingness to accommodate Spencer whenever he wants to come back bodes well! Considering Casey and Severide had one of the strongest and longest-running relationships by the time Casey left, it would be a shame if Severide got married without Casey standing by his side as best man. 

Will Brett And Casey Stay Together?

Chicago Fire spent much of Season 9 raising big questions about Casey’s future and where his heart truly lay, only for Casey to decide that he wanted a future with Brett by the end of the finale. Brettsey were going strong in Season 10, up until the considerable curveball of Casey deciding he needed to move to Oregon. Brett chose not to uproot her life to go with him, but they decided to keep their relationship going long distance by the end of the 200th. But can that stick for three years, when they’ll be building lives independent of each other and forming other bonds? 

Jesse Spencer shared his perspective on the relationship when the time came to plan how Fire would write out Casey, and whether he could return to pick Brettsey up where they left off in the 200th episode:

Casey and Brett trying to keep their relationship going as if nothing has changed is certainly optimistic, and it makes sense that they’d want to put every effort into making it work. Jesse Spencer and Kara Killmer definitely put in the time and effort for the storyline, and the big Brettsey development at the end of Season 9 happened before the Fire team had to start planning out the steps leading to Casey saying goodbye. Derek Haas confirmed that the storyline is going to continue even without Spencer on screen. He shared:

Brett and Casey don’t exactly have to start communicating by snail mail just because Casey moved away. They may not be sharing drinks at Molly’s or spending shifts together at 51, but there’s no reason why they can’t try to keep their romance going from hundreds of miles apart. Whether that will work in the long term remains to be seen, since Brett’s story will have to keep going in Season 10. Which brings us to...

What's Next For Brett?

Brett has had the paramedicine program as a storyline in Season 10 as well as her relationship with Casey, so Chicago Fire isn’t out of stories for her just because Jesse Spencer decided it was time for him to leave. And she has some strong friendships at 51 as well, with Violet as her paramedic partner and Mouch as her teammate with paramedicine in particular this season. Derek Haas previewed what’s ahead for Brett: 

The showrunner didn’t drop details about what these “interesting storylines” will entail, but fans still have reasons to be excited for what’s in store for Brett that don't necessarily revolve around missing Casey. And Chicago Fire was able to continue Casey’s story after saying goodbye to Monica Raymund’s Dawson, so there’s precedent for big breakups not tanking character development. 

What's Next For Truck 81 Without Casey?

Of course, Casey leaving doesn’t just mean changes in the relationships with the people he left behind. He was the highest-ranking officer other than Boden at Firehouse 51, and arguably the anchor of the whole house as the leader of Truck 81. His absence will change the balance of the entire firehouse, and Truck 81 is now in need of a new officer. Derek Haas explained what comes next for 81 after losing Casey as captain:

The next commanding officer of 81 won’t be decided and settled within the first five minutes of the next episode, which presumably means that it won’t be as simple as Stella Kidd returning to Chicago and being handed the spot of lieutenant on Truck at 51. Since she’s the only other firefighter at 51 who has earned the rank of lieutenant but doesn't yet hold that position, fans may want to prepare themselves for a new character coming in. Whether or not that’s the case, at least Boden is back after Kylie made a lucky discovery in the 200th episode!

Will Stella Kidd Get Closure? 

Stella was actually notably absent from the 200th episode, as she’s still working on advancing the Girls on Fire program beyond Chicago. She did get a mention, and she’s clearly coming back, but she didn’t make it back to 51 before Casey made his exit. Even though they talked off-screen about his departure, fans never got to see any closure or see if Casey had any thoughts for what she does next. Derek Haas shared: 

It would be a shame if Chicago Fire couldn’t use Jesse Spencer’s departure as a way to give Stella a spot as lieutenant without making her leave 51, but things are rarely ever straightforward on this show. If Stella does get to take the vacant spot on Truck 81, there may be some hurdles to getting there. At least Derek Haas seems optimistic about Spencer potentially coming back!

What Happens Next Without Casey?

At the end of the day, Matt Casey is gone from Chicago Fire, there are no concrete plans for Jesse Spencer’s return other than his voice in Season 10, and the show must go on despite the huge change. The 200th episode did more than just bid Casey a farewell, as it introduced a fairly gruesome new arson case for Severide as well as advancing the paramedicine story and even hinting that Herrmann may not be wholly out of hot water for his lie to CFD brass earlier in Season 10. Showrunner Derek Haas spoke about what Casey’s exit means for what happens next: 

Casey will be gone but not forgotten, and it sounds like fans have a lot to look forward to as Chicago Fire moves forward into a new era. The show is already guaranteed at least one more season beyond Season 10, and it is currently going strong enough at the center of NBC's Chicago Wednesdays that it's hard to imagine the network cancelling Fire any time soon. Still, hopefully Taylor Kinney isn't going anywhere this season! It would be rough to lose both Casey and Severide in the span of one year. 

For now, fans can see what happens next after Jesse Spencer's departure as Casey with new episodes of Chicago Fire, on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. The Dick Wolf TV universe as a whole is going strong, with the FBIs recently expanding to include a third show, Law & Order: SVU hitting its 500th episode, and news that the original Law & Order will be returning to NBC.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD for the 200th episode of Chicago Fire, fittingly called “Two Hundred.”

Chicago Fire hit a massive milestone with its 200th episode on NBC, accomplishing something that few shows on network television are able to do while still going strong. And Chicago Fire went big with “Two Hundred” with one of the most game-changing events of the series to date: the departure of Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey. Fortunately, both Spencer and Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas have opened up about the difficult decision that led to saying goodbye to Casey, as well as the surprising final scene that Spencer filmed.

Chicago Fire didn’t deliver the worst kind of heartbreak by saying goodbye to Jesse Spencer by killing off Casey, as Casey carried through on his intention to move to Oregon to take care of the Darden boys alive and well. As it turns out, like with the case of Monica Raymund as Dawson years ago, Casey was written out because the actor felt it was time to leave. Unlike with Raymund as Dawson, however, Chicago Fire had five episodes at the beginning of the season to build to saying goodbye to Casey. 

Jesse Spencer and showrunner Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend and other outlets about the 200th episode, and what the collaboration process was like in crafting Casey’s departure. Spencer said:

It may be hard to remember now after a decade of Jesse Spencer becoming iconic for his role on Chicago Fire, but he was fresh off of a run on Fox’s hit medical series House before coming to Chicago to fight fires for the Dick Wolf universe. Luckily for Fire fans, Spencer’s “difficult decision” to leave the show didn’t mean that he intended to leave between Seasons 9 and 10, with no on-screen closure for Casey, and returned for the five episodes that would lead to 200. 

It’s probably safe to say that Derek Haas will be joined by plenty of fans in not wanting Jesse Spencer to leave, but as the actor said, the time had come for him in his personal life. And his return for the first five episodes of Season 10 allowed Chicago Fire to bring his storyline full circle back to the beginning, when a second season wasn’t guaranteed, let alone another nine more. The Darden boys came back, and even Casey’s long-held desire to be a dad was sort of satisfied. Haas shared his own perspective on the collaboration behind Casey’s departure:

Derek Haas’ comments recall how Chicago Fire had to say goodbye to Dawson, after Monica Raymund carried through on her intention to leave the show after six seasons. She returned for a cameo to give some closure on Dawsey to start Season 7, but fans got five whole episodes to say goodbye to Casey. And Casey moving to Oregon with a planned return in three years is far less final than a character moving to Puerto Rico. 

In fact, Derek Haas confirmed that Brett is going to “be in a long-distance relationship for a while,” and that “Two Hundred” technically isn’t the last of Casey in Season 10. According to Haas, fans “are going to hear his voice after the 200th.” His voice could well be tied to that long-distance relationship with Brett (which I would say they’re surprisingly optimistic about) but only time will tell if that's the reason. I can’t be the only one who wants more of Casey and Severide, right? 

Of course, TV shows are complicated to produce, and often shoot scenes out of order from how they’re written in the script, so Jesse Spencer’s final scene on screen at Firehouse 51 wasn’t the last one that he filmed for Chicago Fire. When I asked about his experience with the final scene he actually filmed, Spencer shared:

The scene featuring the firefighters discovering a dead cat may not have been the most emotionally poignant of the 200th episode (even if it did come shortly after Casey and Severide pulled off their last daring save together), but the rest of the Fire team made it special for Jesse Spencer. The headlamp going out provided the opportunity for a sendoff that sounds pretty unique, not least because it was happening on the set of a burnt church on the stage.

Jesse Spencer went on to reveal that there were also some more conventional celebrations after he finished filming his final scene of Chicago Fire, saying:

Even if the scene with the roasted cat that turned out to be part of an arson case was a pretty surprising one to say goodbye to Jesse Spencer as Matt Casey, it does make sense that the longtime lead of Chicago Fire would end his run on the show on the burn stage. Even if he doesn’t have the fondest memories of working on that burn stage! When Derek Haas joked that he’s going to call up Spencer to return when it’s down to “two degrees in Chicago,” Spencer responded: 

So what about Casey’s big goodbye scene, even if it wasn’t actually Jesse Spencer’s final scene in Chicago Fire? The show managed to find a fitting way to say goodbye to Casey that put a happy spin on the sadness of having to lose Spencer after all these years. The firefighters that Casey had toiled alongside for years joined him on the apron to say goodbye, after Casey got a special moment with Boden and with Severide. 

And according to Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney found a way to make that goodbye scene special. When asked if there were emotions crossing over between fiction and real life, Spencer said: 

Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, and the rest of the cast of firefighters kicking a water bottle around is definitely different to picture than what actually happened, but it’s clear that they had a good time filming an incredibly important scene. And since Spencer said that it was on the first take, apparently they were all able to get serious again to film the actual farewell! Spencer weighed in on the cast saying their goodbye to him before their characters’ goodbyes to Casey: 

So, was this really the end for Casey on Chicago Fire? Well, as Derek Haas said, fans will hear Jesse Spencer’s voice again, and Brett will continue her relationship with Casey long-distance... at least at first. I don’t know that Brettsey fans should be overly optimistic about that romance continuing long-term unless Kara Killmer leaves the show. After all, long distance is arguably what ended Casey and Dawson’s relationship, and would it really be fair to Brett to keep her attached to somebody who won’t be coming back for three years, if at all? A lot can happen in three years. 

And a lot can happen in the rest of Season 10. For as sad as it is to lose Jesse Spencer from Chicago Fire, there are plenty of story opportunities coming out of his departure. First and foremost, his departure means there’s a vacancy on Truck for an officer, which comes not too long after Stella passed her test to become a lieutenant. That’s not to say that she would immediately get Casey’s old gig, but there’s certainly some drama that could come out of the changes on Truck. Plus, there’s the issue of Brettsey, and just what Firehouse 51 looks like without Casey. 

Throw in the arson case that was revealed by the end of the episode with the burned cat – which is really dark enough that it seems fit for Chicago P.D. more than Chicago Fire – and there’s no need to worry that Fire will be out of story without Casey. See what happens in the post-Casey era of Chicago Fire with new episodes on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between Chicago Med and Chicago P.D.!

Spoilers ahead for the Season 10 premiere of Chicago Fire on NBC, called "Mayday."

Chicago Fire fans have been waiting a long few months to find out how the tenth season would resolve the Season 9 finale cliffhanger that left the lives of all four firefighters of Squad 3 in jeopardy. It was hard to imagine that Fire would kill off Severide, Cruz, Capp, and Tony, but it was also hard to rule out something awful happening to at least one of them. Well, "Mayday" revealed that something terrible did happen to Cruz, but he lived! The aftermath of the cliffhanger will continue to play out in Season 10, according to showrunner Derek Haas, as well as some "new storytelling."

Thanks to some underwater heroics from Severide and CPR from Casey on the surface, Cruz ultimately survived and returned to Firehouse 51 after a short break. Physically, Cruz was fine, but he showed some signs of emotional trauma when he went back to the job and had to face using a respirator again. Plus, when he found out that Severide quite literally intended to save him or die trying, he was shaken up all the more. And he's not going to just move past that despite the happy ending of the premiere for him and Chloe.

Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas weighed in on what happened in the Season 10 premiere to CinemaBlend, and he shared how Cruz's harrowing experience will continue to impact the show moving forward:

Cruz may have some happy things to look forward to in his near future thanks to Chloe's pregnancy seemingly going well (which is a nice change of pace from how pregnancies tend to go in One Chicago), but he's going to continue feeling the impact of what he went through in the underwater cliffhanger. Severide has a bright-looking future thanks to his survival and Stella's enthusiasm about their engagement, although it's clear that his relationship with his mom is no better than it was.

So it's nice to know that Severide will remain tuned in to what's going on with Cruz. After all, Cruz suffering would be bad not only for him as a person, but dangerous for him as a Squad firefighter, particularly with more changes happening at Firehouse 51 in the form of Boden accepting the well-deserved promotion to the position of Deputy District Chief.

Everybody at 51 was happy for him by the end of the episode, but Stella's reservations about losing him from 51 had him second-guessing. Ultimately, however, she came around and Boden accepted that embracing his future means moving out of 51 for his new job. Still, it's hard to imagine Firehouse 51 without Boden after nine years of him as chief. Showrunner Derek Haas previewed how Boden's absence from 51 will impact Season 10:

Some "new storytelling" is on the way, and that could mean some exciting things for a show in its tenth season. In fact, Chicago Fire is quickly approaching its milestone 200th episode, which will deliver some life-changing decisions for characters. Plus, there's the not-so-little matter of "something major" that will be happening just when things are looking good for Brett and Casey.

Find out what happens next with Cruz, the new storytelling, Brettsey, and everything else that was set up in the Season 10 premiere with new episodes of Chicago Fire on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. There can be no doubt that One Chicago will continue going strong, with Fire joined by Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. on Wednesday nights as a strong block of primetime in Dick Wolf's expansive TV universe. In fact, Fire showrunner Derek Haas, who actually also serves as showrunner over on CBS' FBI: International, recently weighed in on Dick Wolf universe crossovers.

The tenth season of Chicago Fire is fast approaching to finally reveal what happens to Severide, Cruz, and the rest of Squad 3 after the doozy of a Season 9 finale cliffhanger that left all of their lives in jeopardy. Trapped beneath a capsized boat and the vessel starting to go under, their cliffhanger was about as stressful as any that Chicago Fire has ever delivered, on top of the other storylines introduced in the finale, including Brett and Casey finally taking the leap into romance. Fire showrunner Derek Haas opened up about the Season 10 premiere, and fans should officially start worrying if they weren’t already.

Since this show is called Chicago Fire and not Chicago Water Rescue, the Season 9 finale cliffhanger was unlike any that has ended a season before, and it was scary in a different way than usual. After all, unlike a fiery cliffhanger, there’s no chance that Casey or Stella or any of the other firefighters can go after them and save them with full dive gear ready to go off of Truck 81. Derek Haas shared with CinemaBlend why the Fire team decided to go for a water crisis to end Season 9 and start Season 10:

Well, I think it’s safe to rule out Severide, Cruz, Capp, and Tony finding an easy way to safety within the first two minutes of the premiere, based on Derek Haas’ description of the opening teaser as “terrifying” at this point! In fact, there are no guarantees that all of them will make it up to the surface in time to avoid drowning, which is particularly harrowing after Severide just proposed to Stella, Cruz isn’t far off from becoming a father, and Capp mentioned a girlfriend who may or may not actually exist!

Chicago Fire delivering a tragic fate for a beloved firefighter in a premiere isn’t unprecedented. Poor Otis died a gruesome death back in the Season 8 premiere, although at least Fire didn’t do anything that quite rivaled that tragedy for the rest of Season 8 and all of Season 9. So, what about Season 10? Derek Haas had a short and not-so-sweet answer to the question of how worried fans should be:

That’s not to say that fans should prepare their eulogies for any of the Squad heroes who were going down beneath that boat at the end of Season 9, but it may be time to start crossing fingers when it comes to the fates of favorites. I don’t think any viewers are ready to see another memorial go up at 51 to join the one honoring Otis, so hopefully the worst won't happen.

Of course, the Season 9 finale didn’t just set up a terrifying opening to Season 10 with regard to Severide and Co. in the water. The episode saw Brett and Casey hook up, with the issue of Casey’s feelings for Dawson seemingly no longer an issue for them moving forward. They at least seemed confident that there were no more roadblocks in their way that they couldn’t deal with, but is that going to be the case in Season 10?

I posed the showrunner the question of what the future looks like for Brett and Casey now that the door seems to be closed on Dawson and Casey, and Derek Haas previewed:

The course of Chicago Fire love never did run smooth, and Brett and Casey evidently aren’t going to have an easy journey despite finally taking that jump together at the end of Season 9. Derek Haas didn’t drop the details about what the “something major” is that gets in the way of how good things are looking for them, so viewers can only speculate for now about what’s coming, for better or for worse. Whatever happens for Brett and Casey at least is probably less life-or-death than what Severide and Co. are facing, but only time will tell.

Luckily, the wait for fans to get answers is almost over. Season 10 of Chicago Fire premieres on Wednesday, September 22 at 9 p.m. ET, right in between the Season 7 premiere of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and the Season 9 premiere of Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. P.D. also has a life-or-death cliffhanger to resolve for poor Burgess. As for Med, Season 6 left some big questions unanswered regarding departing characters, but the showrunners have already shed some light on what will happen there.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more on the One Chicago front, and be sure to check out our fall 2021 premiere schedule for when more of the biggest shows in primetime will premiere before the end of the year.

FBI: International is coming to CBS to take the crime-fighting action of the FBI franchise global, starting with a three-part crossover event. The Fly Team is a group of elite operatives based out of Budapest to track and neutralize threats to American citizens, facing some challenges that agents on the other side of the ocean don't generally have to deal with. The new show will be part of the same TV universe as FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and all of the shows executive produced by Dick Wolf, and showrunner Derek Haas weighed in on his time building up that universe and crossovers on the way.

Derek Haas has served as showrunner for Chicago Fire for ten seasons already, so he came to FBI: International with plenty of experience working in the universe of Dick Wolf shows that currently spans eight shows, two networks, and over two decades. With the highly-anticipated FBI: International premiering in the 2021-2022 TV season, Haas shared with CinemaBlend how all of his experience within the Dick Wolf universe helped him prepare the new FBI show:

FBI: International certainly has an ambitious premise in taking the action overseas and far away from the FBI shows that are already such hits with viewers, but it's coming to the small screen courtesy of some TV veterans thanks to Derek Haas, Dick Wolf, and Wolf Entertainment. With current titles ranging from the two Law & Order series to the three One Chicago shows to the now three FBIs, it's hard to argue against the recipe for success.

Plus, International is launching with a crossover that links International to FBI and Most Wanted straight out of the gate for what could be a positively cinematic experience spread over one full night of primetime. And according to Derek Haas, the premiere will be the first of multiple crossovers. The showrunner said:

Who says that being set an ocean apart means that FBI: International can't feature some characters that fans will know from other shows? Previews for the crossover event between the three FBI shows reveal that Zeeko Zaki's OA will make the trip over to Budapest to work with the International team, and in the Zoom era, it's not hard to imagine more ways for mini crossovers to happen between the shows.

Derek Haas didn't spoil the familiar faces who will appear on FBI: International, but it's something to look forward to and speculate about. After all, there are plenty of characters who could fit the bill, and OA appearing on International in the flesh provides a direct connection to a lot of other shows. Haas revealed the kinds of cases that are in store with International:

International is going to follow cases of the week rather than spin a serialized story, and the weekly cases could provide a rich backdrop for viewers to learn more about the characters who are saving lives and solving crimes overseas. The show stars Luke Kleintank as Scott Forrester, Heida Reed as Jamie Kellett, Carter Redwood as Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Cameron Vo, and Christiane Paul as Katrin Jaeger. Plus, a canine member of the Fly Team who goes by the name of Tank!

Meet the Fly Team when FBI: International premieres on Tuesday, September 21 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS as the third part of the crossover that begins with FBI at 8 p.m. ET and continues with FBI: Most Wanted at 9 p.m. ET. Following the first week, International will shift to 9 p.m. to switch places with Most Wanted, but fans are guaranteed a full night of FBI action on Tuesdays this fall!

The FBI corner of CBS programming is just days away from getting bigger with the premiere of FBI: International, which takes the action that viewers may know from FBI and Most Wanted overseas with a new cast of main characters. International is launching via a three-part crossover event the likes of which has never quite been seen before on CBS, and it's hard to imagine a much stronger way to start an action-packed new series. Now, showrunner Derek Haas has opened up about how the new show will handle agents carrying weapons overseas while delivering plenty of action.

The early CBS announcements for FBI: International described the show as centering on a Fly Team not allowed to carry guns, which is certainly not the case for the agents on FBI and FBI: Most Wanted, who have to draw their weapons on a weekly basis. As it turns out, the finished product of International will be able to include firearms for the agents, but that doesn't mean the Fly Team's situation will be straightforward. Derek Haas, who also runs Chicago Fire over on NBC, clarified how the show will be able to handle firearms, saying:

The agents of FBI and Most Wanted aren't exactly firing off rounds at every opportunity, and save uses of force for the most dire circumstances, but the issue will seemingly be more complicated for the International Fly Team. And based on Derek Haas' comments, that's an issue that will be accounted for in the show, and could honestly set International apart from other crime series.

Descriptions reveal that the first couple of episodes will see the Fly Team (which is based out of Budapest) chasing cases elsewhere in Hungary and also in Croatia. Most Wanted may travel around on a weekly basis, but crossing state lines isn't on the same level as crossing national borders with different sets of laws, so it seems that International fans will be in for something new. In fact, according to Derek Haas, viewers can check out FBI: International as an FBI spinoff even without being experts in the two other shows. The showrunner previewed:

Although fans will have to wait until the upcoming FBI/Most Wanted/International crossover to meet these new characters, the cast is comprised of Luke Kleintank as Scott Forrester, Heida Reed as Jamie Kellett, Carter Redwood as Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Cameron Vo, and Christiane Paul as Katrin Jaeger. At least, that is the cast of human characters.

The Fly Team will also have the help of a dog by the name of Tank, and Tank is no puppy who will be around just for cuddles. At CBS' Summer 2021 TCA press tour, legendary executive producer Dick Wolf actually previewed how having Tank around will help when the team can't carry firearms. Wolf said:

Fortunately, the wait for the premiere of FBI: International is nearly at an end. The new show will debut on Tuesday, September 21 at 10 p.m. ET as the third part of the crossover event with FBI and FBI: Most Wanted, airing on CBS at 8 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET respectively.

After the premiere week, International will switch time slots with Most Wanted, returning Most Wanted to its spot at 10 p.m. and giving International the middle slot on CBS Tuesday nights. Tuesday night will clearly be packed with action, so be sure to tune in, and check back with CinemaBlend for more on the Dick Wolf TV universe!

When a show reaches 100 episodes, it’s always a big deal, though hitting triple digits and syndication availability used to be a far bigger deal before streaming. Still, it's a milestone, and NBC's Chicago Fire is gearing up for an even bigger and rarer milestone with its 200th episode. And showrunner Derek Haas is giving fans an idea of why this episode won't be one to miss.

Chicago Fire, the flagship of the One Chicago franchise, returns to NBC later this month for Season 10, and the drama will hit its big 200th installment five episodes into the season. Not much is known about what will happen, considering we still don't know how the premiere will play out, but Fire boss Derek Haas told TVLine that there will be some big decisions for the firefighters and paramedics that will likely change their lives forever. In his words:

It says a lot about a show's longevity when an episode this late in the game could still serve as an exemplary hour. Just what could happen in the 200th episode, though? It’s hard to tell what those “life-changing decisions” will consist of, and whether they will be work-related or relationship-related, or a complicated mixture of both.

Season 9 ended with four characters’ lives in jeopardy, so viewers can expect Season 10 to start off in a big way that hopefully clears some of those cliffhangers up. While Chicago Fire does have a knack for killing off characters in its season premieres, it’s possible that the show's creative team held back on those big moments in order to save them for the 200th episode only a few weeks later.

The 200th episode could also include the aftermath of Stella taking her lieutenant’s exam. Season 9 ended with her going into the exam but didn’t show anything after it or any hint of whether her preparation paid off or not. While the premiere will likely recount the results of the exam, it’s possible that whatever score she got, which is most definitely a pass, won't have a major impact on things until the 200th ep rolls around.

Whatever happens in the milestone 200th episode, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be emotional. Hopefully it won't end with any major deaths, although it would be cool to see former characters making a return in some form. If Derek Haas is to be believed, and he always is, this upcoming milestone episode of Chicago Fire will put things into perspective and be a defining moment for not only the series, but the One Chicago franchise as a whole.

Chicago Fire never disappoints, so fans will definitely have this episode to look forward to in the upcoming 10th season when it kicks off on NBC on Wednesday, September 22, at 9:00 p.m. ET, along with all kinds of other major 2021 Fall TV premieres.

The 2020-2021 season of television was a good time to be a fan of any of the shows in the Dick Wolf universe. Not only did Law & Order: SVU, the three shows of One Chicago, FBI, and FBI: Most Wanted return with new episodes after the previous season was cut short, but Law & Order: Organized Crime debuted to bring back Christopher Meloni's Stabler, and more spinoffs are on the way to bring the total count of Dick Wolf shows up to nine next season. And with so many TV shows set in the same universe, that means the potential opportunities for many crossovers between them.

I was fortunate enough to speak with a number of the stars and the showrunners from NBC's One Chicago and both Law & Order shows, as well as both FBI shows over on CBS, over the past season of television. Many of them weighed in with their thoughts on future crossovers within the big shared TV universe. So, now that all of the shows have aired their finales for the 2020-2021 TV season, read on for what the stars and bosses have had to say about possible crossovers, starting with the CBS corner of the Dick Wolf universe.

David Hudgins - FBI: Most Wanted Showrunner

FBI: Most Wanted is arguably the most isolated of the current Dick Wolf shows, as its only crossovers to date have been with parent series FBI, and really only connected to the larger shared universe thanks to Chicago P.D.'s Tracy Spiridakos appearing on FBI once prior to production shutdowns in 2020. I spoke with David Hudgins, who joined Most Wanted as showrunner for the second season, about the finale cliffhanger and the future of the show. He shared his thoughts on a Dick Wolf crossover he'd like to see if the sky was the limit, saying:

FBI: Most Wanted, meet One Chicago? There's technically only one degree of separation between Most Wanted and Chicago P.D. at this point, and P.D. is just a hop and a skip away from Chicago Fire and Chicago Med. Besides, after everything that has gone down in One Chicago over the past ten years, it's almost surprising that most wanted criminals haven't descended on the heroes of Dick Wolf's Windy City on an annual basis by this point. David Hudgins also opened up about the success of Most Wanted in helping to expand the TV universe even further with the launch of another spinoff:

Whether or not Jess LaCroix and Co. turn up in One Chicago next season, FBI: Most Wanted is launching spinoff FBI: International along with FBI, so more crossovers are definitely coming.

Marina Squerciati - Chicago P.D.

Although Chicago P.D. ended Season 8 without confirming whether or not Burgess would survive the terrible injuries she sustained in the finale, it's hard to imagine the show moving on without Marina Squerciati. The actress didn't give away details about what Season 9 does or doesn't hold for Burgess when we spoke ahead of the Season 8 finale and not too long after Law & Order: Organized Crime premiered, but she was definitely enthusiastic about the possibility of her future holding crossovers, saying:

All things considered, I think a lot of fans would be excited to see if what Christopher Meloni does over on Organized Crime means joining forces with some of the Chicago P.D. crew. P.D. has already crossed over with SVU, so the Chicago and New York branches of the shared universe have shared characters before. Why not Organized Crime?

Then again, P.D.'s most recent New York connection was to FBI rather than any Law & Order show, thanks to Upton's quick trip to partner up with OA for an episode. Marina Squerciati responded to my suggestion that Burgess and Upton go on an FBI field trip to finally share some scenes together:

Even if P.D. doesn't cross over with Organized Crime in the near future – and I'm guessing we won't be getting a Burgess/Upton field trip to FBI – we have a One Chicago star officially on board for appearances on other shows.

Ainsley Seiger - Law & Order: Organized Crime

Ainsley Seiger is one of the newest additions to the Dick Wolf universe thanks to her role as tech expert extraordinaire Jet Slootmaekers on Law & Order: Organized Crime. The SVU spinoff is actually Seiger's first TV role, and she was a fan of SVU coming in, so it was no small deal for her to be filming material with SVU's Mariska Hargitay during just the first season of OC. When we spoke ahead of the crossover that brought Jet in close proximity to Benson, Seiger explained the process of building a bridge between the two shows:

Crossovers between Organized Crime and SVU aren't going anywhere, with both shows renewed for the 2021-2022 TV season and Organized Crime ending on a cliffhanger involving both Stabler and SVU's Benson. Both OC and SVU will presumably tie to the upcoming For the Defense spinoff, so even if Jet isn't going to be hanging out with the characters from One Chicago or the FBI series, her world is still growing.

Kelli Giddish - Law & Order: SVU

The Season 22 finale of Law & Order: SVU was a big one for Kelli Giddish's Rollins, as the detective finally planted a kiss on Carisi to deliver something that Rollisi fans have been waiting a very long time for, and it may have taken them past a point of no return. They'll have to deal with it somehow in Season 23, right? Even if Benson and Stabler aren't setting the best example. Speaking with Giddish about the Rollisi dynamic and return of Rollins' dad earlier in Season 22, Giddish shared whether she's interested in crossing over with other Dick Wolf shows:

Several SVU stars have already appeared on Organized Crime, including Peter Scanavino as Carisi, Demore Barnes as Deputy Chief Garland, and of course Mariska Hargitay as Benson. Why not Rollins next? And she has also appeared on Chicago P.D. thanks to an earlier P.D./SVU shared case, so Kelli Giddish has some experience with Rollins taking her investigative talents outside of Manhattan Special Victims.

Dick Wolf And Ilene Chaiken - Law & Order: Organized Crime

The return of Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler to the Law & Order universe was hyped across NBC as the return of the "prodigal son," and Organized Crime received a lot of fanfare ahead of its premiere. The SVU backdoor pilot followed by the series premiere illustrated the differences and similarities between the newest and the oldest current Dick Wolf shows, while also showcasing crossover potential. Showrunner Ilene Chaiken and Dick Wolf himself spoke with press following the premiere to preview the future of Organized Crime, and they weighed in on the focus of crossovers. Wolf said:

When not dealing with production precautions that meant nixing any major events between Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med, the three One Chicago shows regularly share characters for mini crossovers, and occasionally come together for multi-episode arcs when a big enough story comes along and needs to be told with the heroes of more than one show. That doesn't mean crossovers every week, and that will evidently hold true with Organized Crime. Ilene Chaiken picked up Dick Wolf's thread, saying:

All of these shows may share a universe, but they're also all telling their own stories, so whatever crossovers that may or may not happen moving forward, there will presumably have to be some good reasons for them to happen on the Organized Crime front.

Steven Weber - Chicago Med

Steven Weber joined Chicago Med on a recurring basis in the second half of Season 6. With the departures of two series regulars in the Season 6 finale and the twist that set Weber's Dean Archer up to fill in as ED Chief for Ethan during his recuperation suggest that Weber will be back with more of a part to play in Season 7. Interestingly, Weber had already appeared in two other Dick Wolf TV shows before joining Med, with three episodes of Law & Order: SVU and one episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent (playing different characters). When we chatted back in March in honor of his Med debut, Weber shared his impression of the Dick Wolf universe:

"This world" is quite expansive with seven shows already, and growing with the addition of two more next season! It naturally raised the question of other Dick Wolf shows that he'd be interested in dropping by as Dean Archer at some point, and Steven Weber explained:

All signs point toward Dean Archer sticking around the ED at least into the beginning of Season 7, and a lot could depend on what kind of time jump is in store for Med. The finale left several story threads dangling, even if the cliffhangers weren't quite as life-and-death as Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. When I noted to Steven Weber that the firefighters and cops of Fire and P.D. get hurt on a regular basis, he responded:

Considering Chicago P.D.'s Burgess did in fact require emergency medical help in the Season 8 finale, and the Chicago Fire Season 9 finale ended on a cliffhanger that could mean some or all of Squad will need more aid than what Brett and Violet can give out of the back of the ambo, One Chicago really can use all the doctors it can get.

Law & Order: SVU - Demore Barnes

The Season 22 finale of Law & Order: SVU ended on a more foreboding note for Demore Barnes' Deputy Chief Garland than for the rest of the key characters, as some of his comments under oath left him in hot water with the NYPD brass. Plus, he wasn't feeling great physically in the finale, and was planning to take some time off now that he's facing efforts to force him out of the department. That said, when I had the chance to speak with Barnes earlier in Season 22 with Organized Crime then on the way, he gave his thoughts on crossing over to another show as Garland:

Interestingly, like Steven Weber, Demore Barnes had appeared elsewhere in the Dick Wolf universe playing another character before landing the larger role. He appeared in the short-lived Chicago Justice spinoff that became the first One Chicago show to be cancelled. For now, fans may want to be more concerned as to whether the Deputy Chief will be able to hold onto his position in New York rather than be called on in Chicago, though!

Derek Haas - Chicago Fire Showrunner

Chicago Fire of course is the show that started the whole One Chicago corner of the Dick Wolf TV universe, and Fire has been the source of a lot of crossovers over the years. When showrunner Derek Haas dropped some preview details ahead of the Season 9 premiere last year, however, he was quick to set the record straight about what to expect due to production precautions, as well as hopes for the future. Haas said:

Chicago Fire did find ways to pull in a few other One Chicago characters for the Season 9 premiere, and off and on throughout the ninth season, but as Derek Haas predicted, a bigger crossover had to be held off on. If all goes well, the most extreme of the pandemic precautions may well lift in time for One Chicago to resume the annual multi-episode crossovers in the fall, and perhaps even share some scenes with the Law & Order and/or FBI crowds.

Andrew Schneider - Chicago Med Showrunner

As a medical drama, Chicago Med had some big challenges to face heading into Season 6, as One Chicago (as well as SVU and FBI and FBI: Most Wanted) was incorporating the real-life pandemic into the plot for the 2020-2021 TV season. I was able to check in with Med co-showrunners Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov ahead of November's sixth season premiere, and Schneider's comments about crossovers echoed those of Fire's Derek Haas:

The new year isn't over yet, so a major crossover could well still happen in 2021. Fans will just have to wait until the fall to find out. The most recent event involving a full episode of all three One Chicago shows was back in fall of 2019, and aired pretty early in the seasons. So, if another big crossover is on the way, perhaps the timeline will be similar and viewers won't have to wait too long after Fire, P.D., and Med return with new episodes.

Rick Eid - FBI/Chicago P.D. Showrunner

Chicago P.D. boss Rick Eid pulls double duty in the Dick Wolf TV universe as showrunner of CBS' FBI as well as the NBC cop show, and it's actually thanks to P.D. sending Upton over to FBI at the end of Season 7 that there's even room to speculate about the NBC shows crossing over with FBI and Most Wanted at this point. There were no signs that the shows on two different networks existed in the same TV universe before Upton showed up and made speculation a whole lot more fun. Answering some questions for CinemaBlend last fall ahead of FBI Season 3 (and FBI: Most Wanted Season 2), Eid said:

As P.D. fans will remember, Upton's trip to FBI ultimately had a big impact on her arc in One Chicago. She did well enough working with the feds to earn a fancy job offer, and it was that offer – which was a huge opportunity but would have meant leaving CPD, Chicago, and her partner – that was the game-changer for her and Halstead to make a big step. As Rick Eid commented in early 2021 before P.D. returned from winter break:

Upton of course chose to stay in Chicago and start a relationship with Halstead, but that relationship has run into some obstacles thanks to Voight putting the wrong kinds of pressure on Upton, prompting her to ask Halstead to marry her in just about the most desperate and non-romantic way possible in the Season 8 finale. But hey, at least they love each other, and they have Voight's decision to send Upton to FBI to thank for that step forward.

The various stars and bosses of One Chicago, the two Law & Order shows, and the two FBI shows dropped plenty of comments worth considering during the months ahead without any new episodes. The seven current Dick Wolf shows are expected to return to NBC and CBS in the fall, with Law & Order: For the People and FBI: International premiering in the 2021-2022 TV season as well. As for what you can watch in the meantime, be sure to swing by our 2021 summer TV premiere guide for some options!

Chicago Fire delivered some potentially catastrophic news for none other than Matt Casey in Season 9, and the implications were bad enough that he (and fans) had reasons to worry that his head injury marked the end of his career with the CFD. In a stroke of very good luck, he learned that rather than the recent knock on his noggin taking him out of commission, the injury he sustained many years ago isn't going to be a factor in his future anymore. So, what does his future look like now? Fire showrunner Derek Haas talked with CinemaBlend about what's ahead for Casey in the final episodes of Season 9.

Casey's future has been clouded for quite a while with questions of what his injury meant for his job, whether or not he's truly still in love with Dawson, what can and can't happen with Brett, and more. According to Derek Haas, the last three episodes of the season are going to deliver some answers about Casey now that he got his big news about the injury. First things first, though – I had to make sure that the head injury really is no longer a factor. Haas explained:

For Casey, a lot of his story in Season 9 before the head injury concerned his relationship with Brett, or lack thereof due to Brett's belief that Casey is still in love with Dawson. With his clean bill of health, he can get back to considering his personal future, which could well mean revisiting his feelings for Brett despite the Dawsey legacy. As for Brett, her relationship with Grainger fell apart because of his belief that she's in love with Casey, which raises the question: does Brett still think that Casey is in love with his ex-wife? And what about Casey's feelings? Derek Haas previewed:

Brett's concerns about Casey's lingering feelings for Dawson haven't just gone away, and in fact she made a valiant effort to move on from her feelings for Casey by starting a relationship with Grainger. For his part, Casey never really denied still loving Dawson, so the good ship Dawsey has been surprisingly somewhat sailing despite Monica Raymund being entirely absent and Brett/Casey getting plenty of solid build over the past couple of seasons.

Throw in the facts that Brett herself was a big supporter of their relationship back in the day and that she and Casey have had a strong friendship, and perhaps no Fire fan should be surprised that everything is extremely complicated at the moment! One small plot thread in Season 9 that may have pointed towards Casey's romantic future was the watch that he inherited from his uncle, with more than one string attached.

Casey's uncle wore it engraved with his wife's initials until his death despite the fact that he outlived her by 50 years. Casey didn't feel right selling the watch, and his sister suggested that their uncle wanted him to keep it for reasons that he'll have to figure out. At the time, I thought that the dots connected (in conjunction with Casey's injury) to point toward Dawson, but with the injury no longer a factor, the question remains unanswered... for now, at least. Derek Haas shared of Casey, the watch, and his sister:

The showrunner didn't drop any details about what the "something" is that has been set up, so fans can just keep theorizing about the Dawsey vs. the Brettsey vs. no relationship at all until Chicago Fire delivers some answers. Fortunately, Derek Haas confirmed that the watch will make a comeback before Season 9 wraps, so Chicago Fire will shed some light within the coming weeks. As for whether the coming weeks will see the return of Jon-Michael Ecker as Lieutenant Grainger, Haas teased the character's future:

Chicago Fire has already been renewed for another two seasons beyond the current Season 9, so the show is at least guaranteed to have the time to bring back Grainger if the opportunity arises. I'm guessing it's unlikely that he makes a transfer to Firehouse 51 unless Fire loses a couple of characters, since there's already an officer on Truck, Squad, and Engine, and Stella Kidd is facing a possible departure from 51 if she passed the lieutenant's exam.

For now, fans can still look forward to the remaining episodes of Chicago Fire Season 9, which will air on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET as the middle show in NBC's hit One Chicago block that also includes Chicago Med at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. The finales are fast-approaching, but at least viewers don't have to worry that the One Chicago series are among the many that haven't yet been renewed for the 2021-2022 TV season.

Warning: major spoilers ahead for Episode 13 of Chicago Fire Season 9, called "Don't Hang Up."

ChicagoFire has spent Season 9 piling the pressure on Stella Kidd's capable shoulders, but "Don't Hang Up" guaranteed that the last shift before she would finally take the lieutenants' exam was about as far from conventional as imaginable. A teenage girl called Firehouse 51 to beg Stella for help to survive where she and her brother were being held by deadly gang members, with the inconvenient catch that she couldn't bring CPD (or the cast of Chicago P.D.) into the mix. Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas and actress Miranda Rae Mayo spoke with CinemaBlend about the episode, Stella's future, and the Season 9 finale that is going to make history and change lives.

The episode fortunately ended with Stella saving the day (and the young girl and her brother), with some help from Severide and Boden as boots on the ground, and she was as prepared as possible as she headed off to take the lieutenants' exam. The two siblings might not have survived their situation if not for Stella's exhaustive efforts to reach out to teenage girls with Girls on Fire, delivering the kind of payoff that has been more than a year in the making. Miranda Rae Mayo shared her reaction to Stella getting this payoff:

"Don't Hang Up" ended without showing the exam or confirming that all of Stella's preparation paid off and she passed, but I for one can't imagine that she went through everything in Season 9 just to not make lieutenant with flying colors! Miranda Rae Mayo opened up about the prospect of Stella making lieutenant and therefore holding the same rank as Severide, saying:

Some Stellaride magic sounds pretty good after all of the obstacles they ran into earlier in Season 9, even if a lot of those obstacles were technically of Severide's own making. Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas weighed in on what it would mean for Stella to hold the same rank as Severide, as well as what's to come with the future of the Stellaride relationship:

Stella and Severide have been equals in their relationship, and passing the exam would mean that they would be equal in rank at the CFD! Sure, Severide would have seniority, but they'd both have bugles on their shirts. When I asked if they would have to rename the apartment as "Lieutenants' Loft," Miranda Rae Mayo previewed:

Viewers probably shouldn't count on the apartment officially being renamed "Lieutenants' Loft" in the event that Stella gets her bugles, but if Casey sticks around, that will officially be a loft full of CFD officers! The question is, as Miranda Rae Mayo, noted whether Chicago Fire will have to send Stella to another firehouse. After all, there's already an officer on Truck, Squad, and even Engine. Derek Haas weighed in on whether Stella passing the test would mean a departure from 51 or a Herrmann-esque situation of waiting at 51 for an opening there:

Based on Derek Haas' comments, Chicago Fire fans might not get all the answers about Stella's future at Firehouse 51 before Season 9 ends and another hiatus begins, but at least fans don't have to worry whether or not Fire will be coming back! Chicago Fire, like fellow Dick Wolf productions Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and Law & Order: SVU, all received multi-season renewals last year. As for what will happen in the Season 9 finale, the showrunner previewed an ending that nobody will want to miss:

A finale that spans two episode, qualifies as "history-making" and "life-altering," and has been planned by the showrunner himself since all the way back in January? Something tells me that fans should be ready for an intense end to Season 9. As for what exactly is going to happen to make Chicago Fire history and change characters' lives, viewers will just have to wait and find out. Derek Haas did confirm to CinemaBlend earlier this year that Severide will be back in his scuba gear, and that will happen in the finale.

Catch the final three episodes of Chicago Fire (hopefully with Stella riding the high of nailing her lieutenants' exam) on NBC Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. For when all the One Chicago shows and others will wrap for the 2020-2021 TV season, check out our rundown of season finale dates!

Chicago Fire has spent much of Season 9 building Stella Kidd up to finally take the lieutenants' exam, but the journey hasn't been easy, and she's not going to make it to test day without going through a very stressful episode that will present kinds of challenges that she has never faced before. The season has also delivered some serious highs and lows when it comes to Severide and Stella, along with enough of a threat to Casey's health that there were reasons to start wondering if Fire was preparing to write him out.

Fortunately, both actress Miranda Rae Mayo and Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend ahead of Stella's big episode about what's in store for her, what's up with the good ship Stellaride after Severide made some bad decisions earlier in the season, and Casey's outlook on life after he got some good news about his head. Read on for what they had to say!

Stella Kidd's Dangerous And Stressful Episode

The next new episode of Chicago Fire is called "Don't Hang Up," and the trailer alone revealed that Stella is in for an emotional ride. A mysterious caller is going to reach out to Stella while in danger, seeking Stella's help to save her and her brother. This will all go down as Stella is nearing the end of her journey to the lieutenants' exam and would probably be better off with as much rest and relaxation as possible.

Then again, would this be Chicago Fire if the heroes had easy lives? I spoke with Miranda Rae Mayo ahead of "Don't Hang Up," and she explained how Stella will handle the stress of the mysterious caller on top of everything else that has been piled on her in Season 9:

Stella is of course more than used to pulling off the almost impossible under immense pressure after spending years as a firefighter and potentially becoming an officer, but this is a very different kind of emergency than she usually faces when she's racing into burning buildings and risking her life for tricky rescues. Miranda Rae Mayo elaborated on the situation facing Stella in the next episode:

As if Stella hasn't already been dealing with enough pressure this season! She has always been successful when it comes to the physical and mental demands of her job, but this call could put her under emotional strain at a pretty trying time. And according to Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas, this situation will show off whether or not Stella has the mettle to serve as a CFD lieutenant, beyond what it takes to answer questions correctly on paper. Haas previewed of the episode:

Whatever the outcome, Stella is clearly going to be put through the emotional wringer in "Don't Hang Up," but at least she can now count on the support of Severide in a way that she couldn't earlier in Season 9. That said, everything about this situation with the caller begging for help seems like it calls for some backup from the cops who have had a habit of crossing over from Chicago P.D.. So, will that be the case this week?

Will Chicago P.D. Help Firehouse 51?

One Chicago traditionally delivers a two-part crossover between Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. in the spring of each TV season, but COVID protocols have meant that the three Chicago shows haven't gotten any big crossovers in the 2020-2021 TV season. There have been some characters popping between the shows, however, and Stella's phone call seems like something that would normally be handed over to the authorities. According to showrunner Derek Haas, Stella and Co. aren't going to bring in any police for a good reason. He previewed:

Stella's work as a firefighter means that she touches lives every time she makes a save, and Kylie is proof of how much good her influence can do. And this is a situation that Stella and the others at Firehouse 51 are going to have to deal with themselves, presumably while the cops of Chicago P.D. keep busy with their own cases.

Has Severide Redeemed Himself?

Of course, some of Stella's struggles in Season 9 were due to Severide back when he chose to support her pursuit of the lieutenants' exam by shutting down on her to avoid any indication that he was the reason for her success within CFD. Stella was not about to stand for him falling back into old habits that had been bad for their relationship, but he did eventually come around and start opening up again. Is he fully redeemed for his actions? Miranda Rae Mayo weighed in:

Severide has always had the best of intentions when it comes to Stella this season, and he fortunately fixed his mistakes before their relationship could be permanently damaged. The good ship Stellaride seems to be sailing smoothly; the question is whether whatever happens next and the outcome of the lieutenants' exam will force any change.

Casey's New Lease On Life

While Stella is facing a stressful set of challenges in the next episode, one character's prospects are looking up! Despite all signs seemingly pointing toward the end of his career after he took a second blow to the head, Casey was miraculously cleared and given the go-ahead to return to work. With the prospect of giving up his job as a firefighter no longer hanging over him, Casey can have a new lease on life. According to showrunner Derek Haas, Casey isn't going to waste it:

Casey got his great news in the previous episode when he found out that the latest knock on his noggin wasn't the end of his career as he knew it, but Brett got some not-so-great news when Grainger broke up with her over her bond with Casey. If the breakup is the source of her unhappiness (and I certainly couldn't blame her) and Casey wants to help, then this could well lead to Fire revisiting the Brettsey pairing despite seemingly moving away from it for a time. Still, it's possible there's something else on Brett's mind than the breakup with Grainger.

Tune in to Chicago Fire on Wednesday, May 5 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC to see the "Don't Hang Up" episode that will deliver even more pressure to Stella Kidd, reveal Casey's new outlook on life, and more. The season finales for all three shows of One Chicago are fast-approaching, so be sure not to miss an episode. If you have missed any of the action of the 2020-2021 TV season, you can check out Chicago Fire (as well as Med and P.D.) streaming on Peacock now.

Chicago Fire returned for Season 9 despite unprecedented production challenges, but there's not a whole lot of Season 9 left before the show wraps the 2020-2021 TV season. The good news is that not only is the show guaranteed at least another two seasons, but Fire showrunner Derek Haas (who has another show in the works) has already confirmed a finale detail for none other than Severide.

Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend earlier in 2021 about what to expect on the action side of Chicago Fire Season 9, and he previewed that Fire is "gonna have scuba Severide again this year." While that hasn't happened yet, Haas has now revealed to TVLine that scuba Severide will be returning "in the final episode of the season." The Season 9 finale will see Severide back in the wetsuit and scuba gear!

The Chicago Fire boss didn't explain what's going to happen for Severide to have to pull off a scuba save, but the fact that it will be part of the Season 9 finale could mean that it'll be one of his most memorable saves (assuming the rescue attempt goes well) of the season! With the finale airing on May 26 and presumably keeping up with real time, I for one don't envy Severide (or Taylor Kinney) for taking a dip in Chicago waters before summer has the chance to heat things up.

As for what else is coming in the Season 9 finale, Derek Haas hasn't dropped any major details about what the plot will entail, but considering that there aren't too many Chicago Wednesdays left before Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med wrap for the season, the events of the latest episodes could well have a part to play in how Season 9 ends.

Severide has been wrapped up in supporting Stella as she tries to prepare for the lieutenant's exam, and had a stint as an instructor of prospective firefighters that didn't go especially well. Whether or not he gets another big plot or continues to be key to Stella's through the rest of Season 9 ahead of strapping on the scuba tank again remains to be seen.

A newer and very big ongoing plotline that started recently concerns Casey and the knock he got on the noggin that could mean the end of his career as an active firefighter in the CFD. Although nothing has been confirmed about what the injury means for his future as of the latest episode, he is planning on seeing a doctor, with Brett coming along and therefore at least guaranteeing that he won't back out.

Whether Casey recovers and resumes his duties, is benched from active duty at Firehouse 51, or departs to write out Jesse Spencer is up for speculation at this point, but it's possible that Season 10 will look very different when it picks up, presumably in the fall for the 2021-2022 TV season. At least Severide is the one doing the scuba diving rather than Casey!

Chicago Fire returns with its next new episode on Wednesday, April 21 at 9 p.m. ET, between Chicago Med (possibly with more of the "uncomfortable" Season 6 dynamic) at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET, all on NBC. Severide is bound to be part of some major action between now and when he gets back into scuba mode in the May 26 finale, so be sure to tune in!

Warning: Spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 9, Episode 9 “Double Red.”

Chicago Fire is known to give audiences some shocking change-ups with its established cast, and the newest episode involved the surprising exit of its newbie paramedic, Gianna Mackey, as portrayed by Adriyan Rae. But will she be gone forever, or is there a chance for Mackey to return in some capacity? Fans will need to look to series creator and executive producer Derek Haas for answers of that nature, but he does have answers.

In the new episode, Mackey was offered a position at another firehouse that would allow her the opportunity for future advancement. After confessing to Cruz that she got distracted on calls when worrying about him, she decided to accept the offer and transfer houses. Derek Haas spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the reasoning behind Adriyan Rae’s exit, and if it would be the last time fans will see her in Firehouse 51:

After the episode aired, Adriyan Rae took to Instagram to share her thoughts on her rather short journey with Chicago Fire and how grateful she is for the opportunity. Rae was clearly pretty new to the Chicago Fire family, as her character had only joined the firehouse at the beginning of the current season as a replacement for paramedic Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh),who left last season. Mackey was a paramedic on Ambulance 61 and grew up with firefighter Joe Cruz, which made for a fun dynamic, so hopefully this won't be the last time fans see Gianna Mackey. If Derek Haas is that optimistic about her returning in the future, then so are we.

Adriyan Rae’s departure from Chicago Fire marks only the latest EMT exit. While Annie Ilonzeh’s Emily Foster left at the end of Season 8 to become a doctor, Monica Raymund’s Gabby Dawson’s exit in Season 6 allowed for the character to seek employment in Puerto Rico after a heated argument with Jesse Spencer's Matt when it was revealed they couldn’t naturally conceive a child. The new departure probably has fans wondering who will be the next EMT for Ambulance 61, as well as how long they will last, and what kind of an impact they will make on the firehouse.

Chicago Fire has only aired about half of its episodes for Season 9 to this point, so Adriyan Rae's exit is unlike the previous two departures, which happened at the end of their respective seasons. As such, the NBC drama will presumably need to set up a whole new character and storyline halfway through its season, and we're pumped to see who will be joining Ambulance 61 next.

The CBS corner of the expansive Dick Wolf TV universe has been going strong ever since FBI debuted back in 2018, with spinoff FBI: Most Wanted launching in early 2020. Both shows returned to CBS for a two-hour block of primetime in the 2020-2021 TV season, but now it seems that the network isn't done expanding its slate of Dick Wolf shows. Another FBI spinoff is in the works, and it could affect Chicago Fire over on NBC depending on the development process.

An FBI spinoff called FBI: International is developing at CBS, with Deadline reporting that the third show would focus on the FBI's international operations, as opposed to the domestic crimes investigated by Maggie and Co. on FBI and the Most Wanted criminals chased by the agents of FBI: Most Wanted. Although the project has not yet advanced beyond working on deals (with no official comment from CBS at the time of writing), Dick Wolf veteran Derek Haas is attached as writer and presumed showrunner.

If the name "Derek Haas" rings a bell, then you're likely a fan of One Chicago over on NBC. Haas created Chicago Fire back in 2012, and that show is nine seasons in with at least two more to go. He currently serves as showrunner, and has an executive producer credit on Chicago P.D., but his active role on Fire is what raises the question of whether FBI: International could see him switch networks to focus on the new show.

On the one hand, One Chicago shows changing showrunners isn't unprecedented. Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov stepped took over as Chicago Med showrunners in 2015 after the initial showrunner stepped down, and Rick Eid took the reins of Chicago P.D. starting with Season 5 in 2017. P.D. was previously run by Matt Olmstead. It's not unimaginable that Derek Haas could depart Chicago Fire to focus on FBI: International.

On the other hand, Derek Haas has been running Chicago Fire for nine seasons already, so he would presumably know everything he needs to know to balance another show on top of Fire. There's also the point that Rick Eid is currently the showrunner of both FBI and Chicago P.D., which is proof that deals are possible that one showrunner can split duties between two shows on two different networks within this expansive shared Dick Wolf universe.

The shared Dick Wolf universe across two networks is so expansive because of a crossover in the 2019-2020 TV season between Rick Eid's two shows, which brought Chicago P.D.'s Upton to FBI and connected FBI and FBI: Most Wanted to the three One Chicago shows and what will soon be two Law & Order shows. FBI: International would bring the show count up to eight, and really open the door for some truly wild crossovers.

That said, FBI: International sounds like something brand new for this Dick Wolf universe. The three One Chicago shows are obviously based in Chicago, and both Law & Order shows will be set in New York. FBI is in New York, and Most Wanted travels across the United States for cases. An international series would tread new ground, even if its premise indicates that it could be more standalone than the other seven series.

Of course, all of that is assuming that CBS moves forward with FBI: International with Derek Haas on board. The show has not received a series order just yet, but I find myself wondering if a prospective third CBS series means that the network is aiming for its own version of NBC's successful One Chicago Wednesday, to take over a full block of primetime. That would mean a change for CBS Tuesday nights, which currently includes NCIS as well as FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. Then again, NCIS' future is uncertain at this point.

Only time will tell if CBS gives a series order to FBI: International. For now, there is plenty of FBI action with new episodes of FBI at 9 p.m. ET and FBI: Most Wanted at 10 p.m. ET on CBS Tuesdays.

Chicago Fire is known for many things now that the show is nine seasons in, ranging from the crazy cliffhangers to the complicated relationships to the heartbreaking deaths, and none of those would be possible if not for the action, effects, and stunt sequences that set the show apart. The firefighters of 51 have to fight a whole lot more than just fires. According to showrunner Derek Haas, plenty is on the way, including a prank war.

Chicago Fire boss Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend about what's coming to Season 9 in the new year, which kicked off with an episode that had Casey dangling off the end of the aerial while in the process of trying to save lives, which itself was shortly after the huge ambulance crash at the start of the season. Haas revealed what's on the way when it comes to action and effects following the aerial stunt, and it's clear that there's a lot to look forward to:

Chicago Fire may deliver a lot in the way of dramatic developments, but a prank war is bound to be fun to watch, especially if it's "epic" and required a lot in the way of special effects. Something tells me the heroes of Firehouse 51 are going significantly above and beyond the classic thumbtack on a chair trick! Also on the way in Episode 4 will be a "video billboard truck crash," which sounds about as dangerous as anything the firefighters have faced over the years.

As for the freight elevator caught in a fire, I just hope the end result is less tragic than what Otis experienced with the mom and baby in an elevator a couple seasons back! Engine and Squad both seem likely to be involved in whatever this Season 9 stunt requires if Herrmann and Cruz are involved. And what's not to love about scuba Severide? Even if he's not always making the best decisions in his personal life, he's always a good guy to have on hand in a bad situation.

While these stunts sound pretty ambitious, they're also not too surprising considering what Chicago Fire pulls off on a weekly basis, and has been pulling off for the better part of a decade. Derek Haas credited the Fire crew for continuing to deliver despite all the particular challenges of the 2020-2021 season, and shared an opinion that I'm guessing a lot of viewers can share:

Considering Chicago Fire delivers action sequences that are positively cinematic on the small screen week in and week out, it can be hard to believe that the show hasn't gotten some Emmy recognition. It's certainly not like the One Chicago shows are minor hits that nobody watches, and Fire hasn't lasted this long (with at least another couple of seasons to go) by not delivering stunt action and effects. At least viewers can count on more on the way in 2021, including the prank war.

The next new episode of Chicago Fire airs on Wednesday, January 27 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. For more of what's on the way in the new year, be sure to check out our 2021 winter and spring premiere schedule.

Spoilers ahead for Episode 3 of Chicago Fire Season 9, appropriately called "Smash Therapy."

Chicago Fire left off Season 9 in 2020 with one of its biggest relationships facing an uncertain future thanks to the Dawsey past, while the other was going strong with few if any problems in their way. Well, "Smash Therapy" started off 2021 by delivering some twists that guarantee more obstacles on the way for Brettsey, and the good ship Stellaride is in for some rough waters as well. Fortunately, Fire showrunner Derek Haas spoke to CinemaBlend about the futures of both Brettsey and Stellaride to shed some light on what's on the way.

Let's rip off the Brettsey band-aid and start with what the future looks like for Brett and Casey! After Brett realized that Casey's past relationship with Dawson might stand in the way of a real relationship between them in the previous episode, fans had reason to hope that their romance could go back on course in "Smash Therapy" if they talked out their feelings. The good news is that they're not on necessarily bad terms; the not-so-good news for fans of the relationship is that they're not starting a romance at this point and Brett wants space.

I asked Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas if Brett wanting space from Casey means the end of the Brettsey relationship for now, or if this is the slow burn starting over. He shared:

Well, the events of "Smash Therapy" don't mark the end of Brettsey, even after Brett vented her feelings by smashing up a drone and Severide gave Casey some things to think about on the Brett front. That said, more obstacles are on the way, including some "new characters" who will debut sooner rather than later. These new obstacles coming in the form of new characters indicates that this won't be Dawson returning again, and she arguably would be the biggest roadblock. As Derek Haas has said, the Dawson issue is "looming" over Brett and Casey, and there is no "regardless of Gabby."

Will these characters be potential love interests who catch the eye of Brett and/or Casey? Or will they present obstacles of a different sort? And how long will they stick around? Only time will tell on that front, but Derek Haas also shared what's in store for Stella Kidd and Severide moving forward in Season 9. Things had been going so well for them, with Severide promising Stella his support as she pursues the lieutenant's exam.

Alas, unbeknownst to her, Stella has run into some sexism at CFD that could impact her career in a negative way, and Severide is not handling it in a way that is going to work for her. After breaking down the kinds of obstacles and ramifications that Stella and Severide are facing in 2021, showrunner Derek Haas explained how Severide not communicating with Stella is going to affect their relationship moving on from "Smash Therapy" in Season 9:

And to think, it wasn't that long ago that I was speculating about Stella and Severide potentially getting engaged! Severide made the decision to hide his conversation about what some in the CFD are assuming about Stella with the best of intentions, but she was already tired of him clamming up after not even one full episode. Severide not communicating did allow for the fantastic moment from Capp in which he refused to put down his milkshake or ruin his "me time" to walk Stella through Squad info, but it otherwise doesn't bode well for the future of their relationship on Fire.

Severide ended the episode going on a drive with his new friend Ken after they bonded over Ken's car that miraculously wasn't destroyed in a fire, and I for one found myself wondering if Ken is going to be a regular presence in Severide's life as he distances himself somewhat from Stella. Luckily, Derek Haas weighed in:

Ken might not be guaranteed to come back in the foreseeable future, but that doesn't mean he'll never return to Chicago Fire. If he does come back, I just hope it's not to help Severide make the situation with Stella even worse! "Smash Therapy" did establish that the lieutenant's exam is in March, so maybe things won't get so bad over just the next couple of months that the good ship Stellaride will sink. March isn't that far off, right? A lot probably depends on how much Severide shuts down, but it's worth noting that speculation about Stella getting a career boost from their relationship won't necessarily stop if she does ace the exam.

See what happens next (or doesn't happen next) for both Brettsey and Stellaride when Chicago Fire returns with a new episode on Wednesday, January 27 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between new episodes of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. For more of what's on the way in 2021, be sure to check out our winter and spring TV premiere schedule.

Chicago Fire Season 9 is on the way back to NBC to pick up where the show left off in November, and where the show left off for Brett and Casey was in a pretty... well, awkward place. Their big kiss seemed like it could be leading to more after all the episodes of will they/won't they tension, up until Brett asked the question that was probably on the minds of plenty of fans: what about Gabby? Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend about Brett and Casey in 2021, and he shed some light on the "huge" Dawsey legacy looming over the loved ones Dawson left behind.

In the final episode of 2020, Chicago Fire directly addressed the issue that fans have been pondering ever since sparks started flying between Gabby Dawson's former best friend and her ex-husband, when Brett point blank asked Casey if he would leave with Gabby if she came back and asked him. Casey, bless his well-intentioned heart, said quite possibly the least reassuring thing imaginable when he simply responded that he hasn't spoken to Gabby in a long time. Chicago Fire boss Derek Haas explained how the show will approach Brett and Casey's dynamic now that the Gabby issue is out in the open, saying:

Casey and Gabby were the big romance of Chicago Fire for six seasons, and even Monica Raymund's absence through most of Seasons 7 and 8 didn't mean that Gabby was absent from Casey's mind. In fact, it wasn't even a full year ago from Casey and Brett's big kiss that Casey and Gabby spent their night together. Derek Haas shared that Brett and Casey will have to talk about it and it can't be solved within Fire's first hour in 2021. That doesn't mean the Dawsey legacy prevents a Brettsey future, though!

Besides, considering the size of the One Chicago renewal, there's no need to worry that the show is going to end any time soon. Guaranteed through at least Season 11, Chicago Fire could in theory have plenty of time for building up Brett/Casey. Of course, considering just how much of a shadow Gabby and Dawsey cast over Casey's love life, there was always the option for Fire to just focus on the future. When I asked if there was ever any consideration of Chicago Fire blowing past the Dawsey legacy and just building up Brett and Casey, Derek Haas shared:

Despite the various crises of the week that change from episode to episode, Chicago Fire is very much a serialized show. Severide rescuing the door with Shay's name in the same episode that saw new EMT Mackie considering her future at Firehouse 51 is just one example of the past continuing to pack a punch on Chicago Fire, and Fire was evidently never going to overlook how important the Dawson/Casey relationship was just to move forward with Brett/Casey.

With Chicago Fire now in its ninth season, there is plenty of history to the series. Derek Haas explained the importance of revisiting the legacies of characters who have since left (or been killed off) the show:

Fortunately for fans who have been waiting to get more of Chicago Fire Season 9, complete with relationship complications on the Brettsey front, the show will be back with the first new episode of 2021 on Wednesday, January 6 at 9 p.m. ET, between new episodes of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET, all on NBC. Derek Haas has already revealed that there are more obstacles on the way beyond what Brett and Casey are facing with the legacy of Dawson, so be sure to tune in.

If you're still in the market for more shows in the new year, don't forget to check out our 2021 winter and spring premiere schedule.

Chicago Fire returned after a long hiatus in 2020 with a couple of episodes that delivered some high-stakes action and set the stage for more Season 9 in 2021. All signs seem to point toward Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide going full steam ahead in their relationship as Stella moves up at CFD, with the biggest relationship complications happening between Brett and Casey. According to Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas, however, Season 9 isn't going to be all quiet on the Stellaride front.

Chicago Fire boss Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend ahead of Chicago Fire's 2021 return, and he shared the challenges that are ahead for Stella as she pursues the lieutenant exam with Severide in her corner. When I noted that it wouldn't be Chicago Fire if there weren't some bumps along the way, Haas said:

And things were going so well! Unfortunately, as fans saw earlier in the series with the obstacles in Dawson's path to becoming a firefighter, Chicago Fire's CFD brass doesn't necessarily make it easy on women to earn their way up the ladder. Severide's connections within the CFD will evidently backfire on Stella's career path with at least one higher-up making the wrong assumption, and Severide will apparently handle it like... well, like Severide.

Considering what happened on a previous occasion when Severide started acting out in what he believed was Stella's best interest, rough waters may be ahead for the good ship Stellaride. Derek Haas elaborated on where their relationship will go moving forward in Season 9:

Severide may be a man of action, but this could be a case of Severide really needing to use his words to keep his relationship with Stella solid. Hopefully he learned some lessons from their previous conflicts, and his efforts to become a better man for her have been evident. But will Stella be able to see it without Severide saying it?

Well, when it comes to the obstacles, the ramifications could be different this time around due to Stella moving in with Severide (and Casey) back in Season 8. When I noted that it seems like the living situation could make things more complicated, Derek Haas teased:

While the Chicago Fire showrunner didn't drop all the details about the next episodes of Season 9, the living situation in the loft did raise another question. After all, the relationship between Stella and Severide impacts another person on a daily basis: Casey. When asked if Casey will ever move out, Derek Haas shared:

Hey, at this point, their friendship is probably the most stable and lasting major relationship that Severide and Casey have had over the years of Chicago Fire. Maybe Severide was onto something with not wanting Casey to move out back in Season 8! Wives may move to Puerto Rico and girlfriends may be falsely accused of nepotism, but at least Severide and Casey have each other.

In all seriousness, Chicago Fire has a meaty storyline on the way for Stella and Severide, so fans have a lot to look forward to in Season 9. Chicago Fire returns in 2021 on Wednesday, January 6 at 9 p.m. ET, between new episodes of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET, all on NBC. For more of what you can look forward to in the new year, check out our 2021 winter and spring premiere schedule.

The long wait for the return of NBC's One Chicago is almost at an end, and Chicago Fire Season 9 promises to get off to an exciting start with the premiere on November 11. Between the new member of the team replacing Foster, Brett stepping up as a leader, and some potential big changes for Stella Kidd on top of the crises that could be more complicated than ever due to COVID-19, and it won't be an episode to miss. Showrunner Derek Haas has teased even more details about Season 9, including on the Stellaride front and One Chicago crossovers.

Although Chicago Fire ended Season 8 earlier than intended and therefore without any of the deadly cliffhangers that fans have come to expect from the original One Chicago series, there were still plenty of stories leftover for Season 9, and showrunner Derek Haas weighed in to CinemaBlend on what to expect. When asked about the kind of ambitions Severide has for his career and/or relationship in Season 9, Haas revealed:

A "major storyline" sounds like good news for Stellaride fans! That said, Chicago Fire viewers have also seen all manner of relationship complications over the eight seasons and counting so far, including some for Stella and Severide, so those next steps might not happen without some bumps in the road. Still, who could have guessed back in the early days of Chicago Fire that Severide would have come so far in a romantic relationship?

Stella did move in with Severide (and Casey) back in Season 8, so that was at least one major step forward. Will another step involve Severide taking Casey up on his offer to move out and give him and Stella some space as a couple? Chicago Fire has been teasing a potential new romance for Casey that could see him spending less time there, although the Brett/Casey sparks haven't been fanned into a flame just yet.

When asked where Brett and Casey stand on their will they/won't they relationship, Derek Haas shared only this:

Hopefully "very soon" means very early in Season 9! They became much closer as friends and possibly more throughout Season 8, as Casey helped her through the situation with her birth mom, and the issue of Casey reuniting with Dawson hasn't come between them. Whether you're pro-Brettsey or anti-Brettsey, answers are on the way.

What isn't on the way is the mega three-show One Chicago crossover that usually airs on NBC in the fall. COVID-19 protocols mean that the epic crossovers aren't possible the way that they were in years past, but that doesn't mean the three shows won't find ways to connect with each other. In fact, Derek Haas revealed that Chicago Fire will feature characters from Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. in the Season 9 premiere:

My money is on Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. characters appearing via Zoom or phone calls in the Chicago Fire premiere, which could give One Chicago fans a fix of the crossover action that makes One Chicago so distinctive in primetime without putting anybody at risk. NBC also usually airs a two-part crossover in the spring between Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., but that may not be in the cards either.

Chicago Fire is adding a new character who will be sticking around Firehouse 51 rather than jumping between shows. The departure of Annie Ilonzeh's Foster at the end of Season 8 means that Brett is in for yet another new partner in Ambulance 61. Considering Brett's close friendships with Dawson and then Foster, Derek Haas shared what viewers can expect from her dynamic with Adriyan Rae's Gianna as the newest Fire paramedic:

Brett has grown more and more comfortable in a position of authority over the seasons, so Brett as more of a supervisor should be an interesting development. Of course, there is the question of the "other things" that Brett will have going on in her life. Are they related to her newborn baby sister? Or the relationship (or lack thereof) with Casey? Or a story that Fire hasn't full introduced just yet?

Find out when Chicago Fire returns with the Season 9 premiere on Wednesday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET, between the Chicago Med Season 6 premiere at 8 p.m. ET and the Chicago P.D. Season 8 premiere at 10 p.m. ET. If you're still in the market for more viewing options before the end of the year, check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule!

It has been a while since Chicago Fire fans had a chance to see new episodes. The One Chicago drama signed off earlier this year in mid-April with an unofficial finale that did better in the ratings than expected. One big update that came out ahead of the impending Season 9 concerned star Annie Ilonzeh not returning as paramedic Emily Foster. So how will Chicago Fire be handling Foster’s absence?

Upon its return, Chicago Fire will have jumped a few months forward in time, so Season 9 will start off with characters who have already dealt with Foster leaving and had time to move on from it. The good news is that it will not be one of those situations where a character leaves a show and is never spoken of ever again. Speaking to how Chicago Fire will address Foster not being around, creator Derek Haas told TVLine:

It sounds as though Chicago Fire will indeed keep viewers updated on how things are going with Foster, who will no doubt be struggling to get through medical school. CinemaBlend’s Laura Hurley had suggested that the One Chicago franchise should send Foster over to Chicago Med, which seems like a smart move if that would work out schedule-wise. Keeping Foster in the conversation on Chicago Fire, even sporadically, could help make that transition eventually occur, and it would make sense for the franchise to keep her within the fabric of the show for that reason.

Of course, that is just speculation. Interestingly enough, Chicago Med had to temporarily post-pone production on its upcoming season due to a positive COVID test. Thankfully, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. did not get impacted by the situation. As for how Chicago Fire will move forward with Foster’s storyline, it sounds like One Chicago fans will need to stay tuned to Season 9 with their ears as much as their eyes.

It is a concept viewers have had to get used to with Monica Raymund’s Gabriela “Gabby” Dawson, who has remained an integral member of the cast despite Raymund exiting the series a couple of years ago. That probably helped make her return last season on Chicago Fire a smoother ride storytelling-wise. Raymund has left the door open for her to eventually return, so could Foster make her way back, too?

For now, it sounds like updates are the best thing that Chicago Fire can offer fans. While Foster will not be around in the flesh for Season 9, Chicago Fire had added a series regular to its ranks. After being a recurring player, actor Daniel Kyri will enter Season 9 as a series regular, which should mean fans will see a lot more of Darren Ritter next season.

How will Brett make it through without one of her closest friends? Fire's showrunner Derek Haas previously teased how last season’s finale will change Brett in the upcoming season. I would guess that Brett will be the main line of information keeping viewers up to date on Foster’s progress. Find out if I am right when Chicago Fire joins this fall’s schedule, with Season 9 premiering on Wednesday, November 11, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

Chicago Fire is saying goodbye to another paramedic! Annie Ilonzeh, who has played Emily Foster on the founding One Chicago series since early Season 7, is departing the show. The news broke less than a day after the Season 8 finale aired on NBC.

Annie Ilonzeh's departure from Chicago Fire after two seasons (as first reported by Us Weekly) marks the latest EMT to leave Fire, and the second whose departure was confirmed after the previous finale had aired. Despite Season 8 coming to a premature end, however, Foster's departure was arguably set up a lot better than Gabby Dawson's back at the end of Season 6.

So, how did Chicago Fire handle what turned out to be Foster's final story in her final episode, and what does it mean for Brett? Let's dive into what happened.

Spoilers ahead for the Season 8 finale of Chicago Fire on NBC.

The Season 8 finale continued with Foster's growing desire to return to medical school, and she went so far as to set up an interview with Northwestern to possibly get a second chance despite cheating on her boards during her first round. She was hesitant about leaving Brett, however, due to everything Brett had already gone through and then the bombshell that Brett's baby sister was being moved away.

Still, Brett came to terms with Foster's desire to become a doctor and even showed up after Foster's interview to lend her support, so the episode did actually set up a farewell from Foster in a way that may not be entirely satisfying to fans when a Foster-free Season 9 picks up but not totally out of the blue.

Of course, there's no guaranteeing what kind of news Foster would have gotten from Northwestern in the final three episodes of Chicago Fire Season 8 that never got to be produced, but since this is Fire and not P.D. we're talking about, I'm guessing Foster would have gotten back into Northwestern with Brett's blessing.

That would let Foster leave on a high note and an open door to potentially return, since Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois isn't far at all from Chicago. It could also let Brett view her future more optimistically than if Foster left for some much more negative reason. Besides, at least Brett still has Casey, and Fire has the chance to set up a new EMT dynamic.

A new EMT dynamic was actually on my mind ahead of the Season 8 finale, although I had been guessing that Annie Ilonzeh would move to Chicago Med rather than leave One Chicago altogether. I asked Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas how Hanako Greensmith, who debuted in Season 8 as a paramedic from Firehouse 20, would fit in with Firehouse 51, and he said this:

Of course, that's not to say that Violet will be Brett's new partner in Ambulance 61, but it may not be a coincidence that Chicago Fire has a new paramedic all but waiting in the wings while Foster was on the way out.

Personally, I'm just hoping that Annie Ilonzeh will be available and willing to reprise her role at least one more time for Fire to tie off some loose ends, like it did with Monica Raymund's brief reappearance as Dawson at the beginning of Season 7. That said, Sophia Bush was gone from Chicago P.D. for good after she left (for very understandable reasons), so only time will tell.

Sadly, Chicago Fire is done for now, and with the industry-wide production shutdown, there's no saying when Season 9 could hit the airwaves. At least Season 9 is already guaranteed! In fact, Seasons 9-11 are guaranteed. Along with Chicago Med and Chicago P.D., Fire received a three-season renewal.

For some viewing options during the wait for One Chicago to return and explain Foster's absence, check out our 2020 spring premiere schedule.

Spoilers ahead for the April 8 episode of Chicago Fire Season 8 and the official description of the Season 8 finale.

The Season 8 finale of Chicago Fire is less than a week away, and the episode promises to be an intriguing one even if it wasn’t originally designed to close the season. Called “51’s Original Bell,” the finale will see one hero of Firehouse 51 sustain an injury. Although the official description for the episode doesn’t give away any details for fans dying to know who gets hurt, some comments from showrunner Derek Haas may help narrow down the list of candidates.

First, the episode description that reveals one of the good guys is going to be hurt when “51’s Original Bell” hits the airwaves on April 15:

The description courtesy of NBC for “51’s Original Bell” is quite clear: somebody is going to get hurt. Unfortunately for those who don’t want to wait until April 15 to find out who’s going to be in trouble, the description doesn’t even specify if the person is a firefighter or an EMT.

Of course, Foster contemplating a decision leads me to suspect that she won’t be the one injured in the finale, and has me more convinced than ever that Chicago Fire could send Foster over to Chicago Med in Season 8.

The mention of Kidd suggests that she’ll be fine after whatever happens to injure one of her coworkers, and the fact that her storyline will evidently revolve around Girls on Fire would be a sign that Severide was probably not the one injured, even if the episode description hadn’t mentioned Severide’s obsession with helping.

Even taking Severide, Kidd, and Foster out of contention for the one who will be injured, there are still plenty of potential victims. To narrow down this pool of candidates, let’s turn to some comments from Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas. Speaking with Give Me My Remote about the finale, Haas said this:

On the one hand, Derek Haas’ comments mostly serve to hype the upcoming finale and prove that Fire fans really need to tune in. One the other hand, if we take a look at what he said and take it alongside the episode description, we may be able to narrow down the pool of candidates to just three.

The mention of “an elite squad” combined with Severide’s obsession with helping leads me to suspect that a member of Squad 3 will be the one injured in “51’s Original Bell.” Since we already ruled out Severide as the one in trouble, that leaves Cruz, Capp, and Tony.

Of these three, the firefighter whose injury would pack the most punch is undoubtedly Cruz. As a significant character from the very beginning of Chicago Fire who just got married, seeing him suffer another blow would be rough.

Capp and Tony have been around for a long time too, though, and since “51’s Original Bell” wasn’t originally designed as a season finale, I have my doubts that Fire would seriously injure such a major character as Cruz when there were supposed to be a few episodes left. I have an easier time believing that Kidd could be worrying about Girls On Fire in an episode that saw Capp or Tony injured than Cruz.

So, as of now, my money is on either Capp or Tony being injured in the Chicago Fire Season 8 finale. Take a look at the trailer for the episode:

Tune in to NBC on Wednesday, April 15 for the final episode of Chicago Fire Season 8, in between the final Season 5 episode of Chicago Med and the final Season 7 episode of Chicago P.D. All three shows of One Chicago have already been renewed for more seasons, so they’ll be back whenever production is able to resume again.

For some viewing options now and in the not-too-distant future, be sure to check out our 2020 midseason premiere schedule and our 2020 Netflix premiere guide.

Chicago Fire has not gone easy on Sylvie Brett this season, and that is not entirely surprising. This is the One Chicago franchise we are talking about, and heartbreak tends to lie behind many corners. Cut to Brett’s storyline, and she has recently suffered a significant tragedy. If that is not enough, another complication is coming her way.

First, a refresher. During the Chicago Fire/Chicago P.D. crossover, Brett reunited with her biological mother, Julie, who was pregnant again. Along with the impending arrival of Brett’s sister, Julie revealed another development. She and her husband would likely be moving to Chicago. If you thought that this joyous reunion would not end well, you were right.

After spending time bonding, Brett’s biological mother ended up dying due to complications surrounding the premature birth of her new daughter. As you can imagine, the loss of Julie has rocked Brett, and Chicago Fire fans are about to see how much. Oh, and you can add that aforementioned wrinkle to the equation. Chicago Fire showrunner, Derek Haas, told TVLine:

What could this complication be, and how will Brett handle it? NBC’s description for tonight’s (April 8) episode, entitled “Light Things Up,” teases that Brett will face a “monumental decision.” Sounds intense! Chicago Fire has something in store. I wonder if Brett will somehow end up with custody of her baby sister.

The ratings hit should reveal what happens next soon. Who could be helping Brett decide? Does this decision have to do with her baby sister? The answer behind door number one seems to have Matthew Casey as a strong contender. Even if you should not get too excited about Casey and Brett’s romantic future. Chicago Fire’s showrunner, Derek Haas, teased:

Is there hope for Brett and Casey, after all? Obviously, their friendship is still going strong. The pair’s budding chemistry has encountered its share of complications this season on Chicago Fire. However, Casey should be there to help Brett as she deals with whatever lies ahead. It would be tragic for her to lose her birth mom and her baby sister.

Jesse Spencer had warned that Chicago Fire’s current season is not the one for Casey and Brett to embark on a romance. While there should be more in store for him as the season progresses, time will tell how that plays out in a romantic capacity for him and Brett.

For now, Brett has a lot on her plate. It sounds as though her biological mother’s husband could be an issue. Thankfully, Casey should have her back with whatever comes. Find out what happens with Brett on new episodes of Chicago P.D. when they air Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. The intense drama is one of the shows airing throughout this spring.

One Chicago has made NBC the place to be on Wednesdays for a full lineup of shared universe action, with Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. All three series scored massive renewals to guarantee a long future ahead with more milestones to hit, and the next episodes on March 25 promise to deliver more of what fans love about One Chicago. Fortunately, the showrunners for Chicago Med and Chicago Fire shared some of what's still to come in the 2019-2020 TV season and perhaps even beyond.

Chicago Med will kick off the One Chicago block of primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET on March 25, with an episode called "In the Name of Love."

"In the Name of Love" will be Chicago Med's first episode following the milestone 100th episode. While Maggie and Ben's story was happy, others didn't fare so well. The truth finally came out about April and Crockett kissing, and Ethan didn't react well, confronting Crockett in the hospital and causing a scene. Chicago Med showrunners Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov (who previously named their top moments after 100 episodes) previewed the fallout between April and Ethan:

April and Ethan were engaged and trying for a baby before the Crockett kiss reveal, with April hospitalized after she went a little too far trying to make sure the IVF would be a success. Fans of the Chexton relationship should be reassured by the showrunners' comments that the couple has problems that "need to be overcome" rather than that they simply gave up on their relationship.

Another complicated relationship in Chicago Med Season 5 is Will Halstead and recovering drug addict/gynecologist Hannah Asher. Despite the less-than-ideal circumstances with how they met and the sticky issue of Will turning her in for using drugs, sparks were flying between them again in the 100th episode. Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov shared what to expect from their relationship:

"In the Name of Love" will feature Dr. Charles and Goodwin fearing that Halstead is repeating some of his past mistakes, so he could be facing some complications at work as well as in his relationship with Hannah.

As for Goodwin, a promotional photo (shown above) revealed that her son Michael will make an appearance in the March 25 episode. Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov explained why the time was right to debut another member of her family and the future of the series as it continues:

Be sure to tune in to Chicago Med on March 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC to catch "In the Name of Love." SJ Main Muñoz directed the episode as part of NBC's Female Forward program, and she previewed Natalie's plot with Crockett and more.

So, what's in store on the March 25 episode of Chicago Fire, at 9 p.m. ET following Chicago Med? Fire showrunner Derek Haas teased what's coming in the episode, called "I'll Cover You."

"I'll Cover You" will bring Seager back into the mix again after her stint as Severide's partner at OFI and now the sponsor of Stella's project. Brett will continue to get invested in her birth mom, following Julie's hunt for a place to live in last week's episode. Derek Haas didn't spill any details when asked whether fans should be concerned if Brett is getting too attached to Julie too quickly, but he did tease this:

While Chicago Fire is sometimes sunshine and roses, fans still smarting from the loss of Otis at the beginning of the season (and perhaps nervous about Julie's health after One Chicago's tragic history with pregnancies) might want to start feeling at least a little bit concerned about Brett getting attached to her birth mom. Hey, at least Brett's friendship with Casey is flourishing!

Derek Haas didn't beat around the bush about a different plot in "I'll Cover You" that definitely won't be all sunshine and roses. He previewed Severide teaming up with OFI again:

Apparently his dangerous investigation with Roman during the Chicago Fire/Chicago P.D. two-parter hasn't discouraged Severide from wanting to dive into dangerous situations in the search for answers. The promo for "I'll Cover You" indicates that he'll be at risk of harm again, although seemingly not from something as serious as in the winter finale.

On a less deadly front, Stella will continue her efforts with Girls on Fire in "I'll Cover You." Derek Haas weighed in on whether the Girls on Fire program could continue in the future of Fire:

See what happens next on Chicago Fire when "I'll Cover You" releases on Wednesday, March 25 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Last week's episode included a dangerous stunt that was even more impressive in real life, so it should be interesting to see what Fire has in store next. Chicago P.D. will close out the night of March 25 at 10 p.m. ET with an episode that brings somebody important from Rojas' past back in a risky way.

Unfortunately, all three shows of One Chicago had to halt production due to the coronavirus pandemic that has impacted much of the entertainment industry, so fans should expect shorter seasons than anticipated. For now, however, be sure to stick with NBC on Wednesday nights for Chicago Med, Fire, and P.D. action.

Chicago Fire returned in 2020 with a winter premiere that wasted no time in resolving the Severide cliffhanger from the fall finale. Severide had been trapped in a highly flammable basement with an arsonist clutching a lit flare, so hiatus undoubtedly felt very long to fans dying to find out if and how Severide would get himself out of his predicament. Fortunately, Severide not only lived, but returned to Squad 3 and his life with Stella Kidd. Fire showrunner Derek Haas spoke with CinemaBlend about what happened and what's next.

Derek Haas explained why the winter premiere resolved Severide's OFI arc in pretty short order:

Severide was invaluable to OFI during his stint there, although his drive to chase down leads rather than open-and-shut cases wasn't exactly what the CFD brass were hoping for. Still, what better way for Severide's story at OFI to end than with him closing a case, catching a bad guy without either one of them burning to a crisp, and getting "fired" so he could return to his rightful place on Squad 3? He didn't get to go back without a (dirty) fight!

The end of Severide's arc at OFI and his return to the firehouse should mean less of the people he interacted with when he was riding a desk more often than a fire truck. Seager made a strong impression as Severide's partner, and their "Mulder and Scully" dynamic helped them solve some cases.

Of course, just because the winter premiere ended with Severide seemingly making a clean break from OFI doesn't mean fans won't see the OFI characters again. Derek Haas addressed whether we've seen the last of Seager:

Seager isn't necessarily gone for good, although her future on Chicago Fire may depend on the availability of actress Andy Allo. Severide was firm when he told Seager he needed to keep himself tied down to one thing (with Kidd in earshot), but he clearly wasn't angry at Seager and his passion for investigating arson is presumably still there.

That said, if Seager's romantic interest in Severide is still going strong despite Severide making it clear to her that he's choosing Kidd, Squad 3, and Firehouse 51 over continuing to investigate arson with her, Kidd might not be too thrilled to have Seager back on the scene.

When I asked Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas if Severide is a changed man or if fans should worry about his commitment to Kidd, this was his response:

As Chicago Fire fans will undoubtedly remember, Severide's suspicion and jealousy about Tyler in Season 7 temporarily tanked the good ship Stellaride. Fortunately, Severide made it very clear in the winter premiere that the only woman he intends to go home with is Kidd, and Derek Haas' comments indicate that Severide isn't going to regret that move. He and Kidd certainly had a better ending in the Season 8 winter premiere than they did in the Season 7 fall finale!

So, what's next for Severide and Kidd? The living situations for Fire characters are changing in the second half of Season 8, so it's possible they'll have the apartment to themselves if Casey decides to move out. He did offer in the beginning of Season 8 when he noted Kidd was staying over more and more often. If the relationship continues going strong and Casey offers again, could Severide take him up on it?

Why Chicago Went Fast And Furious For The Winter Premiere Fall Finale

Find out when new episodes of Chicago Fire air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, in the middle of the One Chicago block that starts with Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and concludes with Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. Fire and P.D. will soon cross over for a two-parter that will bring back "an old character" from P.D.'s history in a case connected to Fire's paramedics.

Spoilers ahead for the winter premiere of Chicago Fire Season 8, called "Hold Our Ground."

Chicago Fire blazed back to the small screen with a winter premiere that resolved the Severide cliffhanger and answered some of the questions left by the fall finale, but it also delivered something that few fans could have seen coming: a fast and furious car chase involving three fire trucks, one ambulance, and a bright red pickup truck while the heroes of Firehouse 51 tried to get back a stolen piece of equipment. Showrunner Derek Haas shared the fun reason why Fire went so fast and furious.

Derek Haas, who cowrote 2 Fast 2 Furious as the second film in the Fast & Furious franchise long before Chicago Fire launched on NBC in 2012, spoke with CinemaBlend about "Hold Our Ground." When I asked how one pulls off a car chase of this scale in Chicago, he said this:

Who needs a Fast & Furious movie when there's Chicago Fire on NBC? The car chase involving all four of Firehouse 51's emergency vehicles was bigger and more intense than much of anything that can be found on broadcast television, and it showed the good guys proving they can coordinate more than disaster scenes. Don't steal the jaws of life from one of 51's crews if you don't want to be chased through the streets of Chicago!

Even though it took eight and a half seasons for the 2 Fast 2 Furious -- which remains quite possibly my favorite title ever for a sequel -- homage to happen on Chicago Fire, it was definitely something new and unexpected for viewers. After weeks of waiting for resolution to the Severide cliffhanger, something fun, flashy, and heroic was just what the audience probably needed.

When I noted that the Chicago Fire car chase involving three fire trucks, an ambulance, and a pickup was even bigger than a lot of Chicago P.D. chases, Derek Haas (who is also an executive producer on P.D.) said this:

Fortunately for Firehouse 51, they successfully caught the pickup thanks to a bold move by Brett driving the ambulance and then the timely arrivals of the three fire trucks, which meant Truck 81 got their stolen jaws of life back and didn't get in any trouble for a fast and furious chase through Chicago. Things might have gotten uglier if it happened on the darker P.D., or in a crossover between Fire and P.D. like the one coming up that will bring back an old P.D. character.

While the good guys triumphed over the thief, who had been using the jaws of life to crack ATMs, "Hold Our Ground" could have been the beginning of a crew of bad guys with a bone to pick with Firehouse 51. Derek Haas cleared up whether or not there's more fast furiousness in the future of Fire connected to this case:

Hopefully this means the Truck 81 crew won't lose their jaws of life again any time soon! For now, Fire could go in any number of directions. With Severide alive and seemingly not tempted to stray from Stella in Seager's direction, more of one character on the way, and Fire setting up some "new living arrangements," fans can only wait and see what happens.

New episodes of Chicago Fire air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, between new episodes of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET.

The wait for the return of Chicago Fire Season 8 is almost at an end, so what happens to Severide won't remain a mystery for much longer. The fall finale back in November ended on a cliffhanger that saw Severide trapped in a basement packed with flammables by an arsonist holding a lit flare. While it has been hard to imagine Fire killing off Severide, especially so soon after Otis' heartbreaking demise, there was no saying what would happen. Fortunately, showrunner Derek Haas shared some insight about Severide's coming "fight to the death."

Speaking with CinemaBlend about the January 8 winter premiere, Derek Haas explained what viewers can expect from the resolution of the Severide cliffhanger:

The good news for fans is that Chicago Fire won't waste any time in revealing what happened after the cliffhanger of Conrad the arsonist lighting a flare in the highly-flammable basement; the bad news for Severide is that he's in for a "fight to the death" with a man who has nothing to lose.

A big question may be how much Conrad values his own life vs. how much Conrad would want to take down the man responsible for breaking up his arson biz. Of course, there are more people in danger beyond just Conrad and Severide. Seager and the rest of the folks who cracked the case believed Conrad was long-gone, so there could be a whole lot of people in the building at risk, none the wiser about the fight to death going down in the basement.

However Chicago Fire goes about answering some of those questions left over from the fall finale, the winter premiere will undoubtedly be off to an intense start. When I asked Derek Haas how fans should prepare for what's coming with the cliffhanger resolution, he teased that the conflict is going to get "dirty."

Here's how he put it:

With that flare burning in Conrad's hand, time really does seem to be of the essence for Severide when the winter premiere picks up, so it makes sense more than ever that this will be more of a dirty fight than a duel. The firefighters of Fire generally go the quickest and most direct route when it comes to solving crises; it sounds like this will be no exception.

Fans definitely don't have to worry that the action will end once the Severide cliffhanger is resolved. A two-part crossover between Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. is coming up that will bring back a character from P.D. history for a compelling case. Some action is on the way for Casey, and maybe not the kind of action he got when Dawson dropped by in the fall.

Chicago Fire returns to NBC for the second half of Season 8 on Wednesday, January 8 at 9 p.m. ET, between the Season 5 winter premiere of Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and the Season 7 winter premiere of Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET.