Chicago Fire viewers had to say another temporary goodbye to fan favorite Kelly Severide during the latest episode.
This isn’t the first time Severide (played by Taylor Kinney) has stepped away. In Season 11, he left to deepen his expertise in arson investigations—a storyline created to accommodate Kinney’s personal leave from the show. Back then, Severide’s departure took him to Alabama for advanced training, which he later abandoned to join a federal task force. It was up to his wife, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), to track him down and bring him home.
Now, in Season 12, Severide is heading out once more. Though Kidd was initially hesitant to see her husband leave again, she eventually gave him her support. Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) once again filled in for Severide at Firehouse 51.
A Conversation About Severide’s Next Move
The January 31 episode featured an emotional moment between Severide and Kidd. While reviewing a case at the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI), Severide makes his intentions clear:
“If you’re not okay with me going, then I won’t go,” he tells Kidd, leaving the decision in her hands.
Later, he shares more about the case—a federal agent was killed, and it’s based in Arizona. Kidd, understanding the importance, gives him her blessing.
“You have my blessing — as long as you come back soon,” she says.
“That’s the plan,” Severide replies, though Kidd warns him not to repeat the past and disappear without communication.
Before leaving, Severide speaks with Cruz, who once again agrees to step in. Cruz even tells Chief Boden he’ll delay his own promotion to lieutenant in order to help out.
Will Severide Be Back?
All signs suggest that Severide will return soon. With Sylvie Brett’s (Kara Killmer) wedding to Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) on the horizon, it seems almost certain that Severide will make it back for the big day—especially as Brett plans to move to Portland afterward.
There has been no official word from NBC or Taylor Kinney about a permanent exit, which is promising news for fans. The episode even closed with Severide reassuring Kidd that he’d be back—adding a personal touch by promising to fix their leaky sink upon his return.
Though viewers are used to Severide taking extended absences, the hope remains high that this is just another short-term departure.
