Since Chicago Fire first roared onto NBC in 2012, Firehouse 51 has battled more than blazes — the firefighters and paramedics have faced heartbreak, heroism, and more than a few emotional gut-punches. Now, with Season 12 kicking off on January 17, the One Chicago flagship is gearing up for one of its most transformative years yet.
Sole showrunner Andrea Newman — stepping into the spotlight after creator Derek Haas’ exit — sat down with Looper to talk about how the series will navigate a condensed 13-episode season, the return of Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) after a lengthy absence, and the emotional farewells to two beloved cast members.
“There’s a theme this year of change and evolution,” Newman says. “When you bring in new characters, you shake up the dynamic — and that’s always fun to explore.”
Severide’s Return: “The Heart of the Show”
For much of Season 11, Chicago Fire fans were left wondering if Severide’s sudden off-screen absence was a sign of a permanent goodbye. Newman admits the uncertainty was real.
“You never know,” she says. “That was always a question, but he’s such a part of the show and such a heart of the show that we always felt that Severide would be back. We were so excited to have him back and to be able to write for him again.”
His homecoming won’t be without turbulence. Severide’s marriage to Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) is still recovering from his disappearance, and Newman teases simmering tension:
“Violet has this great line in the premiere about them — it’s like watching two big cats circling each other. You don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Brett & Casey: Love, Risk, and Plans Gone Sideways
Kara Killmer’s Sylvie Brett — and by extension, Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey — will say goodbye this season, but not before some daring rescues and potentially dangerous choices.
“Knowing her time is limited, Brett really throws herself into the job,” Newman reveals. “She takes some big risks — maybe one that’s a little too big.”
Brett’s juggling act as a working mom will also be front and center, and her exit storyline promises to be both heartfelt and unpredictable. Fans holding out for a Portland-set happily-ever-after with Casey will get their wish… sort of.
“Things don’t go exactly how anyone thinks it’s going to go,” Newman warns. “This is Chicago Fire, after all.”
Saying Goodbye to Blake Gallo — and the Trio That Stole Our Hearts
While Brett’s departure may feel inevitable, Alberto Rosende’s exit as Blake Gallo will hit another part of the firehouse hard — especially his tight-knit bond with Violet (Hanako Greensmith) and Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri).
“That trio has become such a center point of the show,” Newman says. “They’re close on-screen and even closer off-screen. That day we shot their goodbye was very emotional — there were a lot of real tears.”
The actors even vacationed together in Greece and Italy during the break. “Their affection is very real,” she adds. “And you feel it in the premiere.”
Fresh Blood and New Sparks
Season 12 will introduce Gibson (Rome Flynn), a layered new firefighter arriving in Episode 2. Newman is already smitten.
“I was yelling at the dailies when I saw him,” she admits, laughing. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, look at this guy, he’s so good!’”
He joins a roster of compelling new faces, part of Newman’s strategy for keeping the ensemble vibrant:
“We like to create characters that are worthy of that spot — trouble in one way or another, either good trouble or bad trouble.”
Running the Show Without Derek Haas — But Not Without His Influence
Though Haas officially stepped away from One Chicago, Newman says his creative presence is still very much alive.
“We talk all the time,” she says. “He’s the heart of the show. His presence is always there.”
For Newman, leading the series solo also comes with personal significance:
“It’s fun to be a female showrunner on an action show with tough female characters. That’s a thrill.”
Packed Episodes, Fierce Relationships, and Uncharted Journeys
With only 13 episodes due to the strikes, Newman promises a “chock-full” season with tightly packed storylines. From Severide and Kidd’s power-couple tension to Violet navigating new dynamics without Gallo, and Ritter stepping into more storylines alongside Herrmann, Season 12 aims to balance action with deeply personal stakes.
“The thing I’m most excited about?” Newman pauses. “It’s always seeing how a new character shakes up the house. You see new sides of everyone when the dynamics change. That’s where the magic happens.”
Bottom line: Chicago Fire Season 12 isn’t just about putting out flames — it’s about sparking new ones. Between emotional farewells, complicated returns, and a fresh wave of faces ready to test the bonds of Firehouse 51, this is a season built on evolution… and maybe a little chaos.
