For fans of NBC’s powerhouse One Chicago franchise, it’s been a season of emotional whiplash. First came the heartbreak — Chicago Fire bid farewell to Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter and Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver, two characters who had become staples at Firehouse 51. Then came the uncertainty — the contracts for some of the biggest names across Fire, P.D., and Med were still hanging in the balance.
Now, at last, there’s a reason to exhale. Deadline reports that several of the franchise’s most beloved stars have officially signed on for their upcoming seasons. The news secures the return of Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide), Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), and Dermot Mulroney (Paramedic Chief Don Kilpatrick) for Chicago Fire, S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin) and Oliver Platt (Dr. Daniel Charles) for Chicago Med, and Jason Beghe (Hank Voight) for Chicago P.D.
Firehouse 51’s Power Couple Stays Put
For Chicago Fire fans, the confirmation of Kinney and Mayo’s return is particularly sweet. Both joined the show in Season 4, and over the years, Severide and Kidd — or “Stellaride,” as fans affectionately call them — have become one of the franchise’s most enduring and celebrated couples.
Season 13 ended on a joyful cliffhanger for the pair, with a positive pregnancy test hinting at a new chapter in their love story. But as Fire viewers know, joy rarely comes without a trial. Showrunner Andrea Newman has already warned that Season 14 will be anything but calm.
“We’re going to have a lot of turnover and a lot of craziness going on in the CFD from the top, where people are being cut and moved, and everything’s going to get shaken up next season,” Newman teased.
In other words: don’t expect a smooth ride into parenthood for Severide and Kidd.
One Chicago, Three Worlds, One Big Future
Across the board, the new contracts promise stability — for now. Chicago Med’s Sharon Goodwin and Dr. Charles will continue steering Gaffney Chicago Medical Center through high-stakes medical dramas, while Chicago P.D.’s Hank Voight will keep patrolling the streets with his trademark mix of grit and instinct.
But the stability is only partial. NBC has confirmed each series will run for 21 episodes next season, and with budget cuts forcing cost-saving measures, fans should brace for the possibility of seeing their favorites absent from a handful of episodes.
Art Imitating Life
That behind-the-scenes belt-tightening could bleed into the storylines themselves, with showrunners using the concept of department “cuts” and “transfers” as a narrative device to shake up dynamics. It’s a move that could deliver fresh drama — and maybe even some unexpected reunions — but it also means no character’s position feels entirely secure.
Why This Matters for Fans
In a franchise where sudden exits and shocking twists are part of the DNA, any news of cast stability is worth celebrating. Taylor Kinney’s return, especially after his temporary absence in Season 11, is a major reassurance to fans who have weathered more than a few cast shakeups over the years.
For now, the fire trucks will keep rolling, the patrol cars will keep cruising, and the ER will keep buzzing with life-saving chaos. But if Andrea Newman’s hints are any indication, the road ahead will be anything but predictable.
The takeaway? One Chicago’s biggest players are safe for the moment — but in this universe, safe never lasts forever.
