NBC officially confirms the return date for its One Chicago shows: Chicago Fire season 13, Chicago PD season 12, and Chicago Med season 10. The One Chicago franchise is currently on hiatus after a particularly tumultuous year. Each show ended on an interesting note that would propel their upcoming storytelling to new heights. That said, as network TV shifts back to its normal programming schedule on the heels of the strikes-shortened 2023-2024 season, details about when to expect One Chicago to return have been announced.
Per TVLine, Chicago Fire season 13, Chicago PD season 12, and Chicago Med season 10 will all premiere on Wednesday, September 25. NBC and Wolf Entertainment are maintaining One Chicago’s weekly block despite previous concerns that the network may break up the three-hour primetime schedule. As per usual, Chicago Med will open Wednesdays at 8 pm, followed by Chicago Fire at 9 pm, and ending with Chicago PD at 10 pm.
Why This New Season Of One Chicago Is So Exciting
Chicago Wednesdays Will Get Its Full Season Back After A Shortened Year
Because of network TV’s delayed premiere for the 2023-2024 year, Chicago Fire season 12, Chicago PD season 11, and Chicago Med season 9 all got 13 episodes each — almost half of their usual yearly output.
Having been on the air since 2014, One Chicago has weathered multiple changes, both in front of and behind the camera. Each time a cast or crew member has left, however, the franchise has managed to move forward, even maintaining its good viewership numbers. The last year has been particularly tricky, however, with several major cast departures. Long-time characters Sylvie Brett and Chief Wallace Boden exited Chicago Fire, and Hailey Upton officially said goodbye to Voight and Intelligence in Chicago PD season 11. Additionally, Chicago Med has essentially lost Crockett Marcel.
While numerous actors have left the One Chicago universe over the years, the reasons for each departure range from creative choices to BTS drama.
Despite these changes, there are still many things to be excited about when One Chicago returns this fall. The top one is the franchise reinstating its usual number of episodes. Because of network TV’s delayed premiere for the 2023-2024 year, Chicago Fire season 12, Chicago PD season 11, and Chicago Med season 9 all got 13 episodes each — almost half of their usual yearly output. This means that, next season, any big storylines will have enough time to be tackled without compromising their procedural aspect. There will be more weekly cases that make them the perfect shows for binge-watching.
Typically, the One Chicago shows receive 22 to 24 episodes per season.
Secondly, the slew of changes that came in One Chicago’s previous season will likely motivate NBC and Wolf Entertainment to maintain some sense of stability coming into the new year. This means that there will be fewer, if any, cast departures. While the show executives welcome them as a way to keep the franchise fresh, the constant cast alterations these past few years have made it difficult to do multi-season storylines. Thirdly, a return to its original schedule finally allows for another Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med crossover.
How Long Can One Chicago Last On The Air?
Chicago Fire Has Been On The Air For More Than A Decade
2024 marks the 12th year of Dick Wolf’s first Chicago series, Chicago Fire. The first-responder procedural was immediately followed up by two more shows. One Chicago almost had a fourth show, Chicago Justice, but it was canceled just after one season because it was far too similar to Law & Order. Still, having three procedurals, which continue to be top network performers, is impressive, even though the numbers have been gradually slipping down. For what it’s worth, the downward trend has been prevalent throughout most traditional broadcast programming. Still, it may be something to be concerned about.
Admittedly, it’s almost impossible that the network would axe Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med at once.
Instead of its usual multi-season renewals, however, NBC just awarded One Chicago with a single-year order, only guaranteeing its run until the 2024-2025 TV season. Admittedly, it’s almost impossible that the network would axe Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med at once. The whole block is far too big of a loss for their usual programming roster to be gutted at the same time. However, not renewing the lowest-rated among them may not be out of the realm of possibility, especially as it tries to keep its programming roster fresh.
Should NBC Still Expand One Chicago?
The Law & Order Franchise Has Had More Spinoffs
It’s no secret that One Chicago’s storytelling approach is patterned from Wolf’s Law & Order franchise, which has proven to be very successful for NBC for years. While the Windy City-based procedurals have already taken up the network’s full Wednesday primetime block, it would be interesting to see if there are any plans for another expansion show. For context, the Law & Order franchise has had multiple other shows in its roster, some of which are no longer airing. However, for a time, they kept the TV universe going and also expanded its fan base.
For now, however, it may be for the best if NBC and Wolf Entertainment focus on what they have on hand. The upcoming year is particularly tricky, considering all the changes brought about by the recent shake-ups in the shows’ casts. In any case, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med seem to satiate people’s interest in what’s happening in the Windy City.
