The One Chicago universe almost underwent one of the biggest shake-ups in years — a surprise cast transfer that would have changed Chicago P.D. forever — but the entire plan collapsed at the last possible moment. Sources close to both productions now confirm that a major Chicago Fire actor was this close to becoming a permanent member of the Intelligence Unit, only for negotiations to implode when a Chicago P.D. cast member reportedly put their foot down, saying “absolutely not,” effectively killing the crossover before cameras could roll. And according to insiders, the behind-the-scenes drama was far more intense than fans could have ever imagined.
The transfer, which had been quietly in discussion since early fall, was meant to be a soft reboot for Chicago P.D. Season 13 — a fresh dynamic, a new energy, and a storyline that would bridge the two shows in a way NBC has wanted for years. Writers began building the arc around a Chicago Fire character who had grown increasingly popular with audiences. Producers had meetings. Schedules were reworked. Sources say the deal was locked in enough that script pages were already written. The story was set to be emotional, dramatic, and a total game-changer: a firefighter stepping into the morally gray world of Intelligence.
But that’s when the problem began.
According to multiple insiders, when one longtime P.D. actor — whose identity the studio refuses to confirm — was told about the planned transfer, the reaction was immediate, blunt, and explosive. The actor allegedly said they did not want the Fire star joining the unit, claiming the dynamic “wouldn’t work,” that the character didn’t fit the tone of Intelligence, and that the move would “mess with the chemistry” of a cast that has lived in a dark, gritty world for more than a decade. One source who witnessed the meeting said simply, “It was a hard no. Not a maybe. Not a discussion. A full stop.”
Some reports even suggest this wasn’t the first time the same P.D. actor had pushed back against big cast changes. While P.D. has had a rotating door of departures and arrivals, a few core cast members hold significant influence over internal decisions — enough influence that, according to insiders, the production backed down within days.
Still, the decision left writers scrambling.
Scripts featuring the Chicago Fire character in a multi-episode introductory arc had to be tossed. A major storyline that would have set up a new moral conflict for Voight and the team vanished overnight. A scheduled crossover week — which NBC was planning to promote heavily — was quietly dissolved behind the scenes. One writer described the aftermath as “a small earthquake inside the One Chicago machine.” Another said, “We don’t usually build something that big unless we’re sure. And we were sure — until we weren’t.”
So who was the Chicago Fire actor who almost transferred? Sources are being extremely careful — but multiple insiders say the clues point to someone well-established, someone who has proven they can anchor emotional storylines, and someone the Fire writers were prepared to write around. The speculation has exploded across fan circles: some believe it was Randy Flagler’s Mouch, who recently had a storyline hinting at career changes; others point to Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter, whose character growth has made him one of the franchise’s breakout stars. A few even think it may have been Kara Killmer’s Sylvie Brett at one point during long-term discussions — though timelines make this less likely.
NBC has, predictably, declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the tension between the two productions has reportedly been “a little icy.” While the casts frequently appear together in crossover events, insiders say there was real frustration from the Fire side, especially from the actor who had been preparing to transition. One crew member claimed the performer was “excited, nervous, and ready for something new,” only to be told, abruptly, that the opportunity no longer existed. Another source said the actor was “deeply disappointed” but “trying to stay professional.”
Still, not everyone on P.D. agreed with the shutdown. Some cast members reportedly wanted the transfer to happen, believing the fresh energy would reinvigorate the series. One insider said: “Most of us were open to it. Intelligence needs new blood. The fans want new blood.” But the influence of the objecting actor was strong enough to override any internal support.
As for the fans? They’re furious — not because they knew about the planned transfer, but because they didn’t. When the story leaked, social media exploded with speculation about who blocked the crossover, why they did it, and what this means for the future of the One Chicago universe. Many fans believe the shows have become too isolated from one another, lacking the interconnected energy that once defined the franchise. Others argue that an inter-show character migration would have been a thrilling disruption.
Now, writers are back to square one. Chicago Fire must adjust storylines that hinted at potential exits, and Chicago P.D. must find a new way to reenergize the Intelligence Unit without relying on a big crossover stunt. One insider hinted that the team is considering “entirely new blood,” possibly even a brand-new original character — someone who won’t clash with existing cast dynamics.
As for the Fire actor who was supposed to leap to P.D.? Insiders say they’re staying put “for now,” but the door isn’t closed forever. NBC reportedly still wants a major One Chicago character transfer in the future — they just have to find a time, a place, and a cast that will allow it.
For now, fans are left with the biggest near-miss in recent One Chicago history: a crossover that could have rewritten the franchise but was shut down with two simple words — “no way.”
