Chicago Fire’s 12th season, which is now airing, has seen the return of Taylor Kinney, who’s portrayed Lieutenant Kelly Severide since the show’s 2012 premiere, and the exit of Kara Killmer, who joined the procedural as paramedic Sylvie Brett in its third season. In other words, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster.
Here are all the must-have details about Chicago Fire Season 12, including cast updates and episode descriptions.
Will there be a Season 12 of Chicago Fire?
Yes. NBC renewed Chicago Fire in April 2023 and Season 12 was expected to air in September, but NBC delayed the show because of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which have since both ended. The 12th season is currently airing.
What was the release date for Chicago Fire Season 12?
Chicago Fire Season 12 premiered Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
What happened at the end of Chicago Fire Season 11?
Spoilers ahead! The Chicago Fire Season 11 finale was full of cliffhangers, making the premiere of Season 12 a hotly anticipated one. Lieutenant Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) returned to propose to paramedic Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), and we don’t know yet whether she accepted (viewers also learned that Sylvie was adopting a baby girl). Meanwhile, Mouch was injured by shrapnel and taken to the hospital, where he was at first ruled stable, but then started bleeding out and coding.
Who is leaving Chicago Fire in Season 12?
Kara Killmer as Paramedic Sylvie Brett
Kara Killmer, who stars as Sylvie Brett, left the show during its current 12th season. Her character’s arc ended in episode 6, with her wedding to Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer).
“It is more sweet than bitter,” Killmer told Parade of her exit. “I am selfishly delighted over the fact that Sylvie’s arc as a character started when she was left at the altar by her high school boyfriend, and she comes to Chicago to start over because she’s a jilted bride. And then she ends up across the aisle from Matt Casey, the most eligible and honorable bachelor in all of Chicago and Portland.”
Alberto Rosende
After four seasons as Blake Gallo, Rosende is saying goodbye to Chicago Fire. He made one last appearance in the Season 12 premiere.
Who is cast in Chicago Fire Season 12?
David Eigenberg as Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann
Lieutenant Christopher Hermann was last seen at Mouch’s hospital bedside, calling for help as his friend began to code.
Joe Minoso as Firefighter Joe Cruz
Squad 3 firefighter Joe Cruz adopted a son in Season 11. He also surprised Lieutenant Stella Kidd when he revealed that her husband, Severide (Kinney), had completed arson training, which was news to her. A teaser for Season 12, Episode 2 (“Call Me McHolland”) suggested that the show could be setting Minoso up for an exit, but he appears to be staying (despite his struggles with Kidd and Severide) for now.
Miranda Rae Mayo as Lieutenant Stella Kidd
In the Season 11 finale, Lieutenant Stella Kidd got vague information about her husband Severide’s whereabouts—and she set out to find him. They’re back together at the start of Season 12, but their marriage appears to be on the rocks, especially since Severide can’t seem to quit arson work.
Daniel Kyri as Darren Ritter
Firefighter Darren Ritter was recurring in Seasons 7 and 8 and has been part of the main cast since Season 9.
Hanako Greensmith as Paramedic Violet Mikami
Paramedic Violet Mikami experienced heartbreak in Season 11 when potential love interest Evan Hawkins died.
Eamonn Walker as Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden
The Deputy District Chief of District 4 continues to play a significant role in Season 12.
Christian Stolte as Randall “Mouch” McHolland
After a harrowing Season 11 finale in which Mouch was wounded by stray shrapnel and seen coding at the hospital, Stolte is back for Season 12. He’s been with the show since it premiered in 2012.
Taylor Kinney as Lieutenant Kelly Severide
Deadline confirmed that Taylor Kinney, who left for personal reasons during Season 11, would be back for Season 12, and indeed he is.
“It was so exciting to have Severide back and so we do a deep dive with him and have a great arson case that he is investigating where a lot of firefighters’ lives are at stake,” Newman told Parade about the character’s first episode back. “He’s the one leading the charge. He’s got to work through that and work through this tension with Kidd that is still lingering. They have a new dynamic at the start of the season. It’s fun, it’s still sexy but there’s some tension between them.”
As of the season’s third episode, Severide was set to leave again for another arson case, begging the question, Just how back was he, after all?
By episode 6, he was in Chicago to serve as best man for Matt Casey’s wedding to Sylvie Brett, begging another question: Does that mean he’s here to stay?
“Severide’s return in 1206 marks a turning point in the Severide/Kidd relationship, with some closure to the arc of Severide going MIA last season,” Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman told Parade. “Severide is here to stay this season, and he and Kidd will have all new dynamics to explore, as they end up joining forces on an arson case and find themselves at odds over a mysterious new floater on Truck 81.”
Who is new to the Chicago Fire Season 12 cast?
Rome Flynn as Jake Gibson (although he’s already gone!)
Rome Flynn debuted as newcomer Jake Gibson in the second episode of Season 12. He was introduced as a floater on Truck 46 who was recruited by Stella when she witnessed a heroic act on his part. But later, his past was revealed when he admitted that he had accidentally killed his opponent in a boxing match, which led him to leave the sport and take up firefighting.
Alas, the character didn’t last very long on the show.
Gibson was forced to voluntarily take a leave of absence to deal with a substance abuse problem.
Flynn told Variety, “Just like all the fans, I was sad to see Gibson leave. He was a character I very much enjoyed playing. I had a wonderful experience during my time on ‘Chicago Fire’ and have great respect for the cast and crew and hope to team up with Dick Wolf again when the time is right.”
Michael Bradway as Jack Damon
Deadline reported the addition of a charming new firefighter played by Copperhead actor Michael Bradway, adding that he could become a series regular for Season 13.
Will Taylor Kinney be in Chicago Fire Season 12?
After an extended hiatus, Taylor Kinney returned for Chicago Fire Season 12.
Will Jesse Spencer be in Chicago Fire Season 12?
Spencer, who portrays Casey on the show, exited the series in Season 10 and returned for the Season 11 finale to propose to his character’s girlfriend, Sylvie Brett. Thankfully, he also showed up for their wedding in episode 6.
How to watch Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Viewers can stream episodes the following day on Peacock, too.
Chicago Fire Season 12 episode guide
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 1 — “Barely Gone”
Logline: “Firehouse 51 is forced to share space with Firehouse 17; Kidd and Herrmann fight over Ritter; an arson case tests Kidd and Severide’s relationship; Firehouse 51 says goodbye to one of its own.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 2 — “Call Me McHolland”
Logline: “Mouch sets out to change his legacy and nickname; Ritter pushes Herrmann to see a doctor; Brett searches for the perfect wedding venue.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 3 — “Trapped”
Logline: “After witnessing a domestic dispute, Brett and Violet decide to take the investigation into their own hands. Mouch vets Truck 81’s new firefighter. Herrmann relies on something new to aid him on the job.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 4 — “The Little Things”
Logline: “Julia spends a couple of days at 51; Boden’s stepson, James, returns, desperate for Boden to help his mother; after a little girl starts a fire in her backyard, Kidd and her team decide to dig deeper.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 5 — “On the Hook”
Logline: After their defibrillator malfunctions on a call, Brett and Violet search for answers; Herrmann tries to find the perfect home for his new recliner; a secret from Gibson’s past comes to light.
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 6 — “Port in the Storm”
Logline: “Firehouse 51 welcomes back some familiar faces and says goodbye to Brett; Violet scrambles to decorate Brett’s wedding venue; a call at the expo center takes a shocking turn.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 7 — “Red Flag”
Logline: “Violet clashes with her new partner; Severide discovers a hidden stash of money on a call and squares off against the cops working the case; Mouch gets a parking ticket.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 8 — “All the Dark”
Logline: “A hazmat call at a dialysis center leads to a shocking discovery; Boden clashes with Paramedic Chief Robinson; Carver notices a concerning change in Gibson’s behavior.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 9 — “Something About Her”
Logline: “Severide, Kidd and Van Meter investigate a fire at a recording studio; Kylie helps James keep a secret from Boden; Mouch struggles to maintain boundaries with a paramedicine client.”
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 10 — “The Wrong Guy”
Logline: “Severide steps in as ranking officer at 51; Kidd fights to save her Girls on Fire program; Cruz’s family is threatened when someone from Javi’s past resurfaces.”
