Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman has hinted at the emotional and complex fallout awaiting fans in Season 13, particularly surrounding the shocking revelation at the end of Season 12 regarding Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Damon (Michael Bradway). The cliffhanger revealed that the two are half-brothers, both fathered by the late Benny Severide (Treat Williams). This twist brings back unresolved issues from Severide’s past, specifically his tumultuous relationship with his now-deceased father, and sets the stage for some dramatic developments in the upcoming season.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Newman explained how this revelation will force Severide to revisit his complicated feelings toward his father and reevaluate his family connections. According to her, the early episodes of Season 13 will dive into the emotional implications of Damon’s confession, promising a rich exploration of how these newfound familial ties impact Severide moving forward.
“We kept feeling like this is haunted season 13. It’s kind of like people’s past ghosts coming back,” Newman teased. “That’s very true for Severide, where he’s worked really hard to put his father in the rearview mirror and become his own firefighter. So to suddenly have Benny’s son, his half-brother, appear in his life, it makes him have to re-explore all of that stuff.”
What Severide & Damon’s Parentage Means for Chicago Fire Season 13
The newly discovered relationship between Severide and Damon opens the door to unresolved issues from Severide’s past, particularly around his father, Benny. Throughout the earlier seasons of Chicago Fire, it was clear that Severide’s relationship with his father was strained due to Benny’s extramarital affairs and distant parenting. One pivotal moment came in Season 2 when Severide learned he had a half-sister, Katie Nolan (Brittany Curran), whom Benny had fathered outside of his marriage. This revelation led to a confrontation, but no true resolution, before Benny’s sudden death from a stroke in Season 7.
Now, with Damon entering Severide’s life, the discovery of yet another half-sibling threatens to reopen old wounds and force Severide to confront feelings he had long buried. Newman’s comments suggest that these family dynamics will be a central theme of Season 13, making the storyline both “complicated and juicy.”
Severide’s Emotional Journey in Season 13
The weight of the revelations will not be the only challenge for Severide in the upcoming season. Along with grappling with his family’s expanding web of secrets, he will also have to adapt to new leadership at Firehouse 51. Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) is stepping down, and his replacement, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), will be introduced in the season premiere. This shift in leadership, combined with the emotional toll of learning about Damon, means that Severide will have to navigate a particularly challenging period in his life.
Despite the potential for conflict, Newman hints that Severide might eventually find solace in his relationship with Damon. While there is a strong possibility that the two brothers could clash over the long-kept secret, Damon’s desire for a genuine connection with Severide might help bridge the gap. As they work through their shared family history, there is hope that they could become allies in the face of their father’s legacy.
Our Take on Severide & Damon’s Storyline in Chicago Fire Season 13
The revelation of Damon as Severide’s half-brother introduces a new layer of complexity to the character’s arc. Throughout the series, Severide has been shaped by his difficult relationship with his father, and this latest twist forces him to confront unresolved emotions. Whether Severide and Damon grow closer or remain at odds will largely depend on how they handle the truth of their shared parentage.
The potential for conflict is high—after all, Damon has kept this secret for years—but so is the possibility for reconciliation. Damon’s intentions seem genuine, and with the two sharing a common bond through Benny, there’s a chance that Severide could come to terms with his past and find support in his newfound brother. As Chicago Fire Season 13 unfolds, fans can expect a deeply emotional journey for Severide as he wrestles with his family’s complicated legacy and the ghosts of his past.
