The Question Fans Keep Asking
As Chicago Fire prepares to launch its 13th season on NBC, there’s one question that has followed Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) for years: When will he finally get promoted to Captain? After all, Severide has more than proven himself as a firefighter, a leader, and one of Firehouse 51’s most respected voices. But according to showrunner Andrea Newman, fans may need to stop waiting for that moment altogether—because Severide isn’t chasing the title.
Why Severide Isn’t Eyeing Captain
In a recent interview with TV Line, Newman shed light on why Severide has resisted climbing higher up the CFD ladder.
“He’s got his focus on the thing he is obsessed with, which is arson and OFI, in addition to squad, which he loves,” Newman explained. “There’s a lot of politics the higher you go up in rank, and Severide has no interest in that. He’s a get-your-hands-dirty kind of guy.”
It’s a perspective that tracks perfectly with Severide’s personality. For over a decade, fans have watched him thrive in high-pressure environments, working cases in the field, crawling through smoke-filled buildings, and following his instincts rather than playing office politics. Promotion, in his world, would mean leaving behind the adrenaline, danger, and hands-on work that defines him.
The OFI Factor
Instead of climbing the CFD ranks, Season 13 will further explore Severide’s passion for arson investigations through the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI). Newman confirmed that arson will remain “at the forefront of his mind” as Severide balances that obsession with his loyalty to Squad 3.
This dual focus—firehouse duties and investigative work—creates rich storytelling possibilities. It also signals that Severide’s journey won’t be defined by traditional promotions, but rather by the cases and causes that keep him up at night.
A New Chief Takes Command
While Severide’s professional path stays steady, Firehouse 51 itself is about to face a seismic change. With Eamonn Walker (Chief Wallace Boden) exiting at the end of Season 12, the house will welcome a new leader: Dom Pascal, an original character transferring in from Miami.
Described as cheerful under pressure and markedly different from Boden in leadership style, Pascal is also carrying personal baggage—an estranged marriage. His arrival promises a new dynamic for 51, challenging veterans like Severide and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) to adjust to fresh leadership after years of stability under Boden’s fatherly influence.
Chicago Fire’s Recent Goodbyes
Season 13 will also unfold under the shadow of significant cast departures. Fans bid farewell to Kara Killmer’s Sylvie Brett, who rode off into the Portland sunset with Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer). Alberto Rosende’s Blake Gallo also left after Season 12, marking the end of a younger generation’s presence on the team.
But with change comes opportunity. Season 13 will introduce newcomers like Rome, Jocelyn Hudon, and Michael Bradway, giving the series room to reinvent itself while still honoring its history.
The Severide-Kidd Factor
Of course, no discussion of Severide is complete without mentioning his relationship with Stella Kidd. Their romance has been both a grounding force and a source of tension, and Newman promises fans that Season 13 won’t shy away from putting “obstacles” in their path.
“What’s the next little obstacle to throw in their path? And what’s the next step that can bring out the darker side to a character—something that triggers something for them, and they have a different kind of evolution?” Newman teased.
For Severide, that evolution may not mean wearing a captain’s bars, but rather facing personal challenges that test his loyalty, his marriage, and his own demons.
Why Severide Doesn’t Need a Promotion
In the end, the lack of a promotion isn’t a slight against Severide—it’s a narrative choice that keeps him true to himself. A man like Severide would rather chase arsonists through the ashes than sit behind a desk. His journey isn’t about rank; it’s about passion, obsession, and the dangerous drive that makes him one of Chicago Fire’s most compelling characters.
For fans who’ve followed him since day one, that might be the most satisfying answer of all.
🔥 Bottom Line: As Season 13 heats up, expect Severide to remain right where he belongs—in the thick of the action, not the politics. Whether he’s leading Squad 3 into danger or unraveling the mysteries of OFI, Severide’s fire burns brightest when he’s hands-on. Promotion or not, his story is far from finished.
