Tonight’s Chicago Fire brings back a familiar face, as Kylie Estevez, played by Katelynn Shennett, makes her first appearance of 2025. This fan-favorite character is set to team up with Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) in a unique investigation—one that has nothing to do with flames, but rather, missing fire hydrants.
Kylie’s Journey From Recruit to Firefighter
Introduced in Season 8, Kylie was the very first recruit in Stella Kidd’s (Miranda Rae Mayo) ‘Girls on Fire’ program. While she was hesitant at first, Kidd’s encouragement helped her find her path—not only becoming a passionate advocate for the program but also inspiring other young women to join.
When Kylie’s father lost his job during the pandemic, she had to put her firefighting dreams on hold, taking a job at a donut shop. Seeing her potential, Kidd offered her an office assistant position at Firehouse 51, where Kylie gained firsthand experience in the firehouse’s daily operations. Over time, her ambition to become a firefighter only grew stronger, leading her to officially train for the role.
By Season 12, Kylie had graduated from the program and secured a spot on Truck 46 at another firehouse. In one of her most intense moments on the show, she became trapped during a structure fire but was rescued by Kidd and firefighter Gibson. Her ability to remain calm under pressure and successfully use the ‘Buddy Breathing’ technique earned her the respect of her colleagues.
Katelynn Shennett’s Rise to Fame
Actress Katelynn Shennett, who portrays Kylie, originally hails from Normal, Illinois. She attended Normal Community High School before earning her BFA in theater from the University of Chicago. She started her acting career in theater before making her television debut as Kylie—a role that was initially meant to be brief. However, her character’s overwhelming popularity turned her into a recurring presence on the series.
Kylie’s Role in Tonight’s Episode
In the upcoming episode, “Relief Cut”, Firehouse 51 faces an unusual challenge: multiple fire hydrants have mysteriously gone missing. With Herrmann leading the charge to get to the bottom of the situation, he enlists Kylie’s help to track down the culprits.
This episode will not only showcase Kylie’s investigative skills but also give fans a chance to see her evolving role within the firefighting community. As someone who started as a young recruit and worked her way up, Kylie continues to prove that she is a valuable part of Chicago Fire’s extended family.
With her return, will we see more of Kylie in future episodes? And could this case lead her back to Firehouse 51 in a bigger way?
One thing’s for sure—her comeback is bound to excite longtime fans!
