For months, Chicago Fire fans have held their breath wondering whether Taylor Kinney would stay or go. After his unexpected leave of absence during Season 11 and the uncertainty that followed, many feared Kelly Severide’s days at Firehouse 51 were numbered. But a new update from NBC has finally given fans the reassurance they’ve been waiting for.
A Troubled Absence That Sparked Endless Rumors
Back in Season 11, NBC announced that Kinney would take a leave of absence to deal with a personal matter. His last appearance came in Episode 14, with the show explaining Severide’s disappearance through an OFI training camp storyline in Alabama. When he didn’t return for the finale, the writers stretched the plot by having Severide secretly join an ATF investigation, leaving wife Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) in the dark.
The secrecy led to intense speculation that Kinney might never return. Even after his comeback in Season 12, tension between Severide and Stella over his obsession with arson investigations fueled rumors that the writers were setting up a permanent exit through a possible breakup or divorce.
The Season 13 Poster Changes Everything
Thankfully, NBC has now put those fears to rest. The network’s newly released Season 13 promotional poster prominently features Taylor Kinney’s Severide leading the team — a clear signal that he’s not only staying but taking center stage.
The image shows the firefighters climbing a ladder on a blazing firetruck, with Severide front and center, followed closely by Kidd, Cruz, and Herrmann. Violet and Novak stand below, looking up — a symbolic composition that places Severide once again at the heart of the story.
Given NBC’s marketing strategy, it wouldn’t make sense to spotlight Kinney so heavily if his character were leaving. In fact, the Season 12 finale already laid groundwork for new Severide storylines, suggesting that the writers plan to dive even deeper into his leadership and marriage in the episodes ahead.
Why Fans Can Finally Breathe Easy
After nearly two years of uncertainty, it’s safe to say Kelly Severide isn’t going anywhere. His prominence in the Season 13 campaign confirms that he remains the emotional core and moral compass of Chicago Fire.
For long-time viewers who’ve stuck by the show through cast shakeups and shifting storylines, this update feels like a well-earned relief. Firehouse 51 wouldn’t be the same without Severide — and thankfully, it doesn’t have to be.
