“Everybody Behind The Monitor Was Crying”: ‘Chicago Fire’ EP Andrea Newman on the Season 13 Finale’s Beautiful Stellaride Ending, And Why We’re All So Glad Plans Changed
The Chicago Fire Season 13 finale delivered one of the most heartwarming and long-awaited moments in recent memory: the confirmation that Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) are finally going to be parents. The scene, where Stella revealed her pregnancy to a tearful and overjoyed Severide, was an emotional high point that resonated deeply with fans. But what viewers might not know is that this beautiful development wasn’t always the original plan, and according to Executive Producer and showrunner Andrea Newman, it was a moment so powerful that “everybody behind the monitor was crying.”
Newman has since opened up in interviews about the creative journey that led to this pivotal #Stellaride twist, explaining the evolution of their parenthood storyline and why the decision to have Stella become pregnant organically felt like the perfect payoff for the couple’s arc. For fans, it’s a testament to the show’s ability to adapt and deliver genuinely moving character moments.
The Original Plan: An Adoption Journey
Throughout Season 13, Stella and Severide had been on a clear path towards starting a family through adoption. This storyline saw them navigating the complexities of the adoption process, including a deeply emotional and ultimately heartbreaking experience in Episode 20, where they came agonizingly close to adopting a newborn, only for the biological mother to change her mind. This devastating twist left both Stella and Severide, and indeed the entire Firehouse 51 family who had rallied to prepare for the baby, reeling.
Newman confirmed to CinemaBlend that, initially, the plan was indeed for the adoption storyline to continue. “The plan was always the adoption, and over the course of this season, there was a real evolution for not just Kidd, but for Kidd and Severide’s relationship,” she explained. The show had already explored a different adoption storyline with Cruz (Joe Minoso) and his wife Chloe, so continuing with #Stellaride’s adoption would have provided continuity.
Why Plans Changed: A Journey of Growth and Empowerment
However, as the season progressed, the writers observed a profound shift in Stella and Severide’s relationship and in Stella’s personal growth. Their bond deepened through open communication, particularly after the emotional rollercoaster of the failed adoption.
Newman emphasized that Stella’s transformation was key. “They were talking about things they had never talked about before, and getting closer,” she told CinemaBlend. The heartbreak of Episode 20, surprisingly, became a catalyst for positive change. “I feel like, especially after that hospital episode, Episode 20, they learned a lot about each other. They bonded, and by the end of it, they were closer than they’ve ever been… Kidd came out of that feeling really empowered in terms of her relationship.”
This newfound empowerment, coupled with Stella’s experiences helping a troubled teen named Natalie earlier in the season (which allowed her to reflect on her own difficult childhood and the support she received from her Aunt Laverne), gave her a fresh perspective on motherhood. She realized that she was capable of handling the immense responsibility of raising a child, regardless of how that child came into their lives.
“Communication lines have been opened. Things that she had been scared of before, I don’t think she’s still scared of,” Newman stated. This led to a more relaxed approach to contraception for Stella. “[She] probably got a little less careful with her birth control, and left it a little bit to the fates. [laughs] Because she believed she can handle it.”
This shift, according to Newman, made the natural pregnancy a more compelling and authentic progression for Stella’s character. It symbolized her overcoming her fears and fully embracing the idea of parenthood on her own terms, a “big leap” that felt earned after her journey of self-discovery and relational strengthening with Severide.
The Emotional Impact: “Everybody Behind The Monitor Was Crying”
The scene where Stella reveals her pregnancy to Severide was a masterclass in emotional payoff. Stella, with a knowing smile, leads Severide to a positive pregnancy test on the bathroom counter. Severide’s initial shock quickly gives way to overwhelming joy and tears as he embraces his wife, showering her with kisses. It was a raw, beautiful, and deeply personal moment that perfectly encapsulated their love and long-held desire for a family.
Newman confirmed that the emotional impact wasn’t limited to the viewers. “I will say that when that scene was shot, everybody behind the monitor was crying,” she revealed to CinemaBlend. “It was just such a beautiful moment. And you just felt for them, what they’ve been through.” This powerful reaction from the crew and cast behind the scenes is a testament to the scene’s authenticity and the actors’ performances. It underscores the profound connection that the cast and crew have with these characters and their journeys.
Why This Twist Was the Right Choice
While the adoption storyline was valid, the shift to Stella’s pregnancy feels more impactful for several reasons:
- Character Growth: It highlights Stella’s personal evolution, her overcoming of past fears, and her increased faith in herself and her relationship with Severide.
- Fresh Narrative: As Newman pointed out, Chicago Fire has explored adoption with Cruz, and other One Chicago shows have also featured similar storylines (e.g., Burgess and Ruzek taking in Makayla on Chicago P.D.). A natural pregnancy for a female firefighter on Fire (the first since Gabby Dawson in early seasons) offers a fresh narrative avenue and new challenges unique to Stella’s career.
- Heightened Stakes: The arrival of a #Stellaride baby raises the stakes for both characters in their incredibly dangerous profession. Newman teased this for Season 14, emphasizing the inherent fear of leaving a child orphaned if both parents are in peril, a fear particularly relevant to Stella’s own past.
- Emotional Payoff: The directness and personal nature of Stella’s pregnancy, after their shared desire and journey, provides an incredibly satisfying emotional payoff for fans who have rooted for them for years.
What’s Next for the Expanding Stellaride Family
As Season 14 approaches, fans will be eager to see how Stella and Severide navigate this new chapter. Newman has hinted at the unique challenges they will face as first responder parents. “It’s a way to really just amp everything up for these two and test this relationship in all new ways while keeping them in love and and sexy and all the things we like about them together,” she told TV Insider. There will be discussions about who might “step back a little bit,” but the core of their relationship will remain strong.
The impending arrival of their child means new dynamics within Firehouse 51 as well. “51 is a family, and there’s how they all react to the new member. And, you know, everybody’s got advice to give, of course,” Newman added, promising heartwarming, and likely humorous, moments from their extended firehouse family.
Conclusion: A Beautiful, Unexpected Journey
The Chicago Fire Season 13 finale’s #Stellaride pregnancy reveal was a moment of pure television magic, made even more poignant by the revelation that it wasn’t the original plan. Executive Producer Andrea Newman’s insights confirm that the shift was a deliberate choice, driven by the organic growth of Stella and Severide’s relationship and Stella’s personal empowerment. The scene’s emotional impact, moving even the crew to tears, speaks volumes about its power. For fans, this unexpected turn of events is a welcome development, promising a “beautiful” and exciting new chapter for Stella and Severide, and ensuring that the future of Firehouse 51 is brighter and more emotionally resonant than ever.
