When Chicago Fire returns for Season 14, fans will quickly notice a new face ridingJocelyn Hudon, the rising Canadian actress best known for her roles in When Hope Calls and The Strain. Now, sheâs stepping into a much bigger spotlight â replacing fan-favorite Sylvie Brett in one of the firehouseâs most emotionally charged positions.
But Hudon isnât stepping into a copycat role. Her character, Lyla Novak, is set to bring a very different energy to 61 â one that might challenge, refresh, and possibly even rattle Firehouse 51âs carefully balanced dynamic.
A New Era After Brett đ
Sylvie Brettâs departure at the end of Season 12 wasnât just the end of a character arc â it was the end of an era. As one of the most emotionally grounded characters in the One Chicago universe, Brett brought heart, compassion, and stability to both the paramedicine unit and the showâs larger moral compass.
Her story closed with a wedding to Matt Casey and a move to Portland â a well-earned send-off that gave fans closure. But her exit leaves a giant hole in Ambulance 61, one that no character can easily fill. Which is exactly why Chicago Fire is going in a new direction.
Enter Lyla Novak.
Who Is Jocelyn Hudon?
Before we get to Lyla, itâs worth knowing the actress behind the scrubs. Jocelyn Hudon is no stranger to television, though this will be her biggest network role yet. She starred in Hallmark Channel films (Baby, Itâs Cold Inside), horror projects (The Strain), and period dramas (When Hope Calls). What connects all her work is a quiet intensity â she plays women who observe carefully, react decisively, and donât waste time trying to fit into molds.
That makes her perfect for Chicago Fire â a show that thrives on characters with rich emotional undercurrents and unpredictable edges.
What We Know About Lyla Novak đ„
So far, NBC has revealed very little about Lyla Novak. But what has been confirmed is that sheâs sharp, fearless, and emotionally guarded â a paramedic with âstreet instinctsâ who doesnât always follow procedure but gets the job done.
That sets her up as a contrast to Violet Mikami, who tends to lead with emotion and attachment. The two could form a dynamic partnership â or clash completely.
Either way, the producers arenât trying to give fans âBrett 2.0.â Instead, theyâre offering someone who will challenge the firehouse, test Violetâs growth, and maybe even change the culture of Ambulance 61 in the process.
Chemistry at the Core: Lyla and Violet đ§Ș
Lyla Novakâs biggest narrative challenge wonât be the emergencies she faces â itâll be how she fits into a paramedic unit that recently lost its heart.
Violet Mikami, still reeling from the deaths of Evan Hawkins and the departure of Sylvie Brett, is in uncharted emotional territory. In recent seasons, sheâs matured from a sarcastic sidekick to one of the most emotionally layered characters on the show.
Pairing Violet with a more guarded, less emotionally driven partner like Lyla could create intense tension â the good kind. It could lead to a dynamic that evolves from cold professionalism to mutual respect, not unlike the early days of Brett and Dawson.
Expect growing pains. Expect confrontation. But also expect genuine growth.
Could Lyla Stick Around?
While Chicago Fire has introduced many paramedics over the years â some staying, some rotating out â all signs suggest that Lyla Novak is being positioned as a long-term character.
The departure of Brett wasnât rushed. It was orchestrated with care, suggesting the writers didnât plan to backfill the spot with a placeholder. NBC seems ready to invest in a new generation of paramedics, and Hudonâs casting â revealed ahead of filming â indicates theyâre planning around her.
Early fan speculation is already buzzing. Some believe Lyla may have a military or trauma background, while others think she may have a personal connection to a past character. That mystery is part of the appeal: Lyla doesnât come in with ties â she comes in clean, waiting to be tested.
Will Romance Be on the Table? đ
Given Chicago Fireâs love of pairing paramedics and firefighters, itâs fair to ask: will Lyla become romantically involved with someone at 51?
So far, thereâs no indication of a love story being central to her introduction. And thatâs a good thing. Rushing into a romance would do a disservice to the space left by Brett â and to Lylaâs own narrative potential.
That said, possibilities abound. Could she become a foil for Derrick Gibson, the newest Squad member? Or might she bond with Violet over shared loss and trauma? Either way, fans should expect her development to be career-driven first, which sets her apart in a meaningful way.
What Fans Are Saying đŁïž
Initial reactions to Hudonâs casting have been cautiously optimistic. While fans are still mourning Brett, many agree it was time for a new perspective. The key sentiment is this: donât try to copy what worked before â create something that works now.
If Hudon brings the grit and complexity that past roles suggest she will, Lyla Novak might surprise everyone.
Final Thoughts: A New Pulse for 61
With Lyla Novak, Chicago Fire is taking a bold step forward. Rather than replacing Brett with someone similar, the show is reinventing the role â injecting new personality, new challenges, and a different kind of strength into Ambulance 61.
For a series in its 14th season, thatâs not just refreshing â itâs necessary.
Lyla may not be the partner Violet asked for. But she might become the one Violet â and Firehouse 51 â ultimately need.
