The One Chicago franchise finally delivered the crossover event fans had been waiting for. On January 29, 2025, the highly anticipated In the Trenches aired across Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D., marking the first three-part crossover since 2019. The showrunners teased an Avengers: Endgame-level spectacle, and now that the ratings are in, the question remains—did the event live up to expectations?
How Many Fans Tuned In?
NBC shook up its usual One Chicago lineup for this event, with Chicago Fire airing first, Chicago Med taking the middle slot, and Chicago P.D. closing the night. Despite the shuffle, the ratings stayed strong across all three hours:
- Chicago Fire: 6.3 million viewers / 0.5 demo rating
- Chicago Med: 6.6 million viewers / 0.5 demo rating
- Chicago P.D.: 6.4 million viewers / 0.5 demo rating
Both Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. hit their season highs in viewership, while Med tied its best rating for the season. Interestingly, Chicago Med pulled in the highest total audience—possibly due to its placement in the middle of the three-hour event or the time slot change catching some viewers off guard.
These numbers only reflect the Live+Same Day ratings, meaning they could rise once delayed viewing and Peacock streaming figures are factored in. Still, early results suggest that fans treated this event like the high-stakes, three-hour movie that the showrunners had promised.
What Did the Showrunners Think?
Leading up to the crossover, the executive producers of all three shows hyped up the event, calling it one of the biggest and most intense stories One Chicago has ever told. But how did they feel after seeing the final product?
Chicago Med Showrunner: “A Big, Emotional Movie”
For Chicago Med showrunner Allen MacDonald, watching the finished crossover was a surreal experience. “You think you know what to expect after reading drafts for months,” he told Deadline, “but when it’s all put together with the actors, stunts, and visuals, you get totally caught up in it as a fan. It’s suspenseful, emotional, and incredibly satisfying.”
Chicago Fire Showrunner: “My Heart Was Racing”
Andrea Newman, the showrunner for Chicago Fire, was equally blown away. “Even though I had seen the scripts, when it comes to life on screen, it still makes you jump,” she said, recalling moments that had her on the edge of her seat. The emotional weight of the storyline, especially in light of real-life wildfires affecting Los Angeles, made it even more powerful for her.
Chicago P.D. Showrunner: “A Massive Feat”
Gwen Sigan, showrunner for Chicago P.D., emphasized the challenge of crafting such a complex storyline while keeping each character’s arc compelling. “It’s hard to do these things,” she admitted. “But our cast and crew really pulled their weight, and it shows. The crossover felt cohesive, and every character got their moment to shine.”
What’s Next for One Chicago?
The One Chicago universe will return to its regular schedule on February 5, with Chicago Med back in its usual 8 p.m. ET slot, followed by Fire at 9 p.m. and P.D. at 10 p.m. While the crossover was an undeniable success, the big question remains—will these high ratings continue?
With no official renewals announced yet for the 2025-2026 TV season, the success of In the Trenches could play a role in securing the future of these fan-favorite shows.
One thing is certain: One Chicago delivered a high-stakes, action-packed crossover that reminded fans why they keep coming back for more.
