Season 12 of Chicago Fire left fans hanging with a dramatic cliffhanger, and according to Miranda Rae Mayo, season 13 is set to bring even more intensity. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Mayo, 34, revealed that the season premiere, which aired on Wednesday, September 25, will kick off with a “crazy” fire call that sets the tone for a dark and mysterious season.
“The fire ladies have to investigate a situation that’s surrounded by speculation, and it gets very dark,” Mayo shared, referring to the tense call that will impact her character, Lt. Stella Kidd, and the rest of the team. Mayo described the beginning of the season as “tough” and said the script left her “gasping” as she read through the details.
Paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) and her new partner, Lyla Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), will also play a key role in the premiere, but Mayo emphasized that unfinished business from the previous season will remain a central focus.
In the season 12 finale, Firehouse 51 bid farewell to Chief Wallace Boden (Eammon Walker), who was promoted to Deputy Chief. In his place, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) takes over, and Mayo hinted at the tension ahead. “He’s stubborn, and he and Kidd clash right from the start,” Mayo said. Pascal, who Mayo described as “hard-nosed and confident,” is expected to challenge the pride and unity of the firehouse. “It’s a fireworks show,” Mayo teased, referring to Pascal’s first scene in action.
However, one of the most exciting storylines for Mayo this season involves Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and his newly discovered brother, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway). Damon, who was revealed as Severide’s brother in the previous season, becomes a crucial part of Kelly’s journey in season 13. “We see Kelly navigating this new information about his brother, and he has to figure out how to tell Stella,” Mayo said. “How is she going to process that this guy isn’t being honest with her?”
In addition to the personal dynamics, there’s also a professional challenge as Kidd has to balance her relationship with Damon while serving as his boss. As a member of Kidd’s Truck 81 crew, Damon’s presence creates a dilemma for her. “As an audience, you can understand why [he keeps it a secret], but trust is everything in our profession,” Mayo explained. “If she can’t trust you, she can’t have you on the team. So it’s this back-and-forth struggle of navigating that.”
Despite the tension, Mayo shared that she finds the Kidd-Damon storyline to be one of the most compelling and sensitive narratives of the season. “It’s one of my favorite storylines because it’s so layered. Navigating those dynamics, both personal and professional, has been exciting,” she said.
As the season unfolds, fans can expect Kidd and Damon to tackle their complicated relationship, and Mayo is eager for viewers to see how the storyline comes together. “I’m excited to see how it all plays out,” she concluded.
