Fans of One Chicago are getting more than just their favorite shows back this fall. NBC has launched a brand-new One Chicago Podcast, giving viewers an inside look at the worlds of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med.
The first episodes, which dropped on September 18, featured Chicago Fire’s David Eigenberg. While reflecting on the series, Eigenberg shared a touching — and surprisingly playful — moment that never made it to screen during Jesse Spencer’s farewell episode.
The Game That Started It All
Eigenberg explained that during long days on set in Season 1, the cast found a unique way to keep spirits high. Using an empty water bottle, a few castmates would link arms, kick the bottle around, and try to get it through each other’s legs.
“It’s stupid,” Eigenberg admitted with a laugh. “We only play for about 30 seconds or a minute and a half. It goes through a couple times, but it makes us laugh.”
That silly tradition came back years later in a much more emotional context.
Jesse Spencer’s Last Day
When original cast member Jesse Spencer left the series in Season 10, the cast prepared for a heartfelt group hug to say goodbye. But in true Chicago Fire fashion, someone dropped a water bottle in the middle of the circle.
Suddenly, the farewell turned into a game of “water bottle ball.”
“We loved it,” Eigenberg shared. “It was like little tears and stuff like that. But it didn’t belong in the show.”
It was a small, personal moment that highlighted just how close the Chicago Fire family has become behind the cameras.
A Cast That Plays Hard
Eigenberg also opened up about the cast’s unique sense of humor. “We have a low-grade sense of humor,” he joked. “We are physically aggressive with each other, male and female. You get in bunker gear, you want to wrestle.”
He recalled the moment Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd) proved she fit right in during her first days on set. “She threw me to the ground and jumped on top of me,” he said, laughing. “I told everybody, ‘She fits in.’”
Today, ten seasons later, Mayo’s Stella Kidd isn’t just part of the team — she’s one of Firehouse 51’s strongest leaders.
A Crossover That Never Happened
Toward the end of the podcast, Eigenberg was asked which character from the One Chicago universe he would like to bring over to Chicago Fire. His pick was Chicago Med’s Maggie (played by Marlyne Barrett).
He revealed that during the original crossover pilot, he played Herrmann’s scenes with Maggie as if the two had a history. “I was playing it real familiar with her,” Eigenberg said. “I told everyone, ‘We had a thing.’ But they told me, ‘That’s not going to play in the crossover pilot.’”
While that backstory never made it on-screen, it shows how much the actors think about their characters’ lives — even in the smallest moments.
More Stories to Come
With the new One Chicago Podcast releasing every Thursday, fans can expect even more behind-the-scenes stories, laughter, and emotional moments from the cast. And with Chicago Fire, P.D., and Med returning on October 1, there’s plenty more drama and heart to come on-screen as well.
