The One Chicago franchise is known for its heart-pounding drama and emotional twists, and the first three-show crossover in five years promises to deliver just that — and more. Titled “In the Trenches,” the event, airing January 29 on NBC, is shaping up to be one of the most devastating nights in the franchise’s history, with the lives of three beloved characters hanging by a thread.
Who’s in Danger? The Trailer Teases Heartbreak
The crossover trailer wastes no time setting up the stakes. Three characters — Chicago Fire’s Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), Chicago P.D.’s Officer Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger), and Sergeant Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) — find themselves in peril, with fans speculating about who might not make it out alive.
The drama kicks off with Trudy Platt in a dire medical emergency. The trailer shows her collapsing in pain before being rushed to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Her husband, Chicago Fire’s Mouch McHolland (Christian Stolte), is shown by her side as a Chicago Med doctor desperately tries to resuscitate her.
Meanwhile, Ruzek and Kidd are trapped underground in a subway car with dozens of passengers after a gas explosion. The two are shown struggling to keep calm as the air supply runs low. “People are still on that train, including my wife!” yells Chicago Fire’s Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), his voice breaking with desperation. As Chief Dom Pascal attempts to contact Kidd via radio, his calls are met with haunting silence.
Fan Reactions: “This Crossover Finna Be Hell”
The emotional trailer has fans on edge. “Trudy is hurt, Adam and Kidd are trapped, and Severide is crying. This crossover finna be hell,” commented one YouTube user. Another pleaded, “Don’t you dare hurt Trudy, Adam, or Stella. Haven’t the fans been through enough?”
The emotional weight of the trailer is amplified by a tearful Severide, further fueling speculation about potential tragedy.
Will Ruzek and Kidd Survive? A Hint of Hope
While fans will have to wait until January 29 to learn who survives, Patrick John Flueger hinted that Ruzek and Kidd may live to see another day. In a recent interview with TV Insider, Flueger described working alongside Miranda Rae Mayo in the crossover as “fun” — a word that wouldn’t typically describe an event marked by major character deaths.
“What an absolute blast,” Flueger shared. “Miranda and I have been quite close for a long time. We’re pals outside of everything, so finally getting to act with her one-on-one was really fun. We had a good time, really supportive of each other, and I think we found things that weren’t necessarily on the page.”
Flueger also praised the cast and crew for their performances, adding, “People were acting their pants off from top to bottom. Even the background folks were incredible. It was impressive.”
The Emotional Stakes of “In the Trenches”
Whether all three characters survive or not, the crossover promises to be an emotional rollercoaster for fans. Trudy Platt’s relationship with Mouch, Kidd’s marriage to Severide, and Ruzek’s engagement to Kim Burgess (Chicago P.D.’s Marina Squerciati) all raise the emotional stakes. If tragedy strikes, it could leave two characters widowed and the One Chicago universe forever changed.
The crossover also highlights the strength of the franchise’s interconnected storytelling. Bringing together characters from Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med, “In the Trenches” underscores the unity of Chicago’s first responders in the face of unimaginable challenges.
