After last week’s thrilling One Chicago crossover, Chicago Fire returns to its regular 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot, bringing the focus back to Firehouse 51. But after such an intense, large-scale event, what comes next? Showrunner Andrea Newman reveals what’s in store for Season 13, including new challenges, character-driven stories, and whether the series might tackle a disaster like the Los Angeles wildfires.
Returning to Normal After the Crossover
The recent three-way crossover with Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. was a massive production, requiring months of planning and coordination. Newman describes it as a challenge to return to regular episodes after such an event.
“Every time we do a crossover, it’s like everything freezes, but the production train keeps running,” she explains. “These crossovers take months of talking, structuring, and plotting before we even start writing. Victor Teran, who wrote this one, was in a room with the Med and P.D. writers months before we officially began scripting.”
With the crossover behind them, Chicago Fire is shifting back to its usual rhythm—though the stories remain just as engaging.
What to Expect in Tonight’s Episode
The upcoming episode will focus on both high-stakes emergencies and personal stories. Captain Herrmann (David Eisenberg), adjusting to his new leadership role, faces an unusual case—missing fire hydrants. He teams up with Kylie (Katelynn Shennett) to track them down.
Meanwhile, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) is in for a shock when her cousin arrives in town, uncovering a surprising family history. On the lighter side, Violet (Hanako Greensmith) and Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) deal with a bizarre emergency—a birthday cake smash gone wrong.
Could ‘Chicago Fire’ Tackle a Story Like the L.A. Wildfires?
With real-life disasters making headlines, fans wonder if Chicago Fire will take on a storyline inspired by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. However, Newman says it’s too soon to incorporate such an event.
“Where we are in this show all the time is always interacting with firefighters,” she says. “We have [real-life] firefighters on the cast and staff, and what we keep hearing is it’s about supporting these guys who put their lives on the line every day. That’s in every episode.”
While Chicago Fire may not depict a wildfire disaster immediately, Newman emphasizes that the show will continue to highlight the real dangers firefighters face.
What’s Next for Firehouse 51?
Moving forward, Chicago Fire will dive deeper into its characters, exploring new dynamics, relationships, and the constant risks they take.
“Our characters are front-liners, and they’re in danger all the time,” Newman says. “Even if it’s an explosive action story, it’s always character-driven. We track where the characters are, what’s come before, and what we know is coming after to really dig into those moments.”
As the season unfolds, fans can expect more life-or-death situations, personal struggles, and the unbreakable bond of Firehouse 51. Whether it’s major disasters or everyday heroics, Chicago Fire isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
