Chicago Fire Showrunner Reveals Why Severide Wasn’t Promoted
Showrunner Andrea Newman recently addressed fan concerns, telling TV Line that the character is currently focused on other things. “He’s focused on the thing that he’s obsessed with, which is arson and OFI, outside of the team, which he loves,” she explained. “The higher up you go, the more politics there are, and Severide doesn’t care about that. He’s a hands-on guy. So arson is still at the forefront of his mind, the possibility of moving to OFI is always at the forefront of his mind, and all of that comes up. He’s dealing with all of that this season.”
While Severide’s work life storyline remains unchanged, Season 13 will see a new Chief take charge of Fire Department 51 after Eamonn Walker (who played Wallace Boden) left the series at the end of Season 12. His successor is said to be an original character named Dom Pascal, who is starting his career with CFD after previously serving as a fire chief in Miami, Florida. The character, who has yet to be cast, is described as “a fun-loving person who works well under pressure and has a different leadership style than Boden. He and his wife have drifted apart.”
Chicago Fire has lost several cast members Other cast members who have recently left Chicago Fire include Kara Killmer, whose character Sylvie Brett married her true love, Matt Casey (played by Jesse Spencer, who also left the series), and moved to Portland with their daughter. Alberto Rosende, who played Firefighter Candidate Blake Gallo since Season 8, also left in Season 12. Thankfully, the new season will see some new faces join the cast, including Rome Jocelyn Hudon and Michael Bradway.
Created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, Chicago Fire debuted on NBC in 2012. The show celebrated its 250th episode with Season 12, Episode 11, “Inside Man.” Speaking to CBR in May, Newman offered some insight into what fans can expect going forward. “There’s also the challenge of what’s the next exciting call? But there’s also the challenge of what’s the next twist in the Severide-Kidd relationship?” she said.
“What’s the next little hurdle that’s going to come up in their path? And what’s the next step that might bring out the dark side of a character—something that triggers something for them, and they have a different kind of evolution. It’s a constant challenge, but in the best way,” Newman continues. “[It’s] a real gift to have characters that you want to see grow and have unexpected turns.
