The “One Chicago” fandom has been in a state of high alert as 2026 begins, fueled by a wave of high-profile exits and rumors of deep budget cuts. With staples like Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) officially departing Firehouse 51, and Marlyne Barrett (Maggie Lockwood) rumored to be eyeing an exit from Chicago Med, fans have been demanding answers from the network.
Recently, an NBC executive reportedly shut down the rising panic with one brutally honest line that has since gone viral among the “Chi-Hard” community: “The city of Chicago is the only character with a permanent contract.”
The Reality of the “Ensemble Rotation”
This “brutally honest” stance clarifies the network’s strategy for the 2025–2026 season. As veteran shows like Chicago Fire (Season 14) and Chicago PD (Season 13) grow more expensive, NBC and Wolf Entertainment are leaning into a “rotation” model to keep the franchise sustainable.
The strategy involves:
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Mandatory Episode Absences: To cut costs, series regulars are now expected to miss 2 to 4 episodes per season. This explains why some of your favorite characters might “go to a training seminar” or “take a personal leave” for a week or two.
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Residency Requirements: The network has reportedly asked core cast members to take up residency in Illinois. Those who don’t may see their episode counts—and paychecks—further reduced.
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A “Character-First” Exit Policy: Showrunner Andrea Newman echoed this sentiment, noting that for a firehouse to feel “real,” people have to move on. “We try really hard to keep it real,” she explained, “and what’s real is that not everybody can make it at 51 forever.”
Who is Safe?
While the “brutally honest” line suggests no one is untouchable, NBC has moved to stabilize the “big three” to prevent total viewer attrition. Contracts have been finalized for the franchise’s biggest anchors through 2026:
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Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide): After years of “will-he-won’t-he” speculation, Kinney has inked a new deal to lead Season 14.
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Jason Beghe (Hank Voight): The leader of Intelligence remains the backbone of Chicago PD.
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S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin): The steady hand of Chicago Med is confirmed for the upcoming 11th season.
The 2026 Crossover: The Ultimate Stability Test
The best way NBC plans to prove the “One Chicago” brand is stronger than any single actor is the upcoming January 29, 2026, Crossover Event. Titled “In the Trenches,” this three-hour block will feature a city-wide gas explosion that forces the reshuffled casts of all three shows to work in perfect sync.
The event is designed to showcase the new chemistry between veteran leads and fresh faces like Sal Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente) and Eva Ramos (Juliana Aidén Martinez). By placing the brand—and the city—front and center, NBC hopes to prove that while actors may come and go, the sirens will never stop ringing in Chicago.
Does the idea of “rotating” cast members make you less likely to watch, or do you appreciate the realism of a changing firehouse? I can help you track the specific episode counts for your favorite stars so you know when to expect them on screen!
