NBC’s One Chicago franchise is gearing up for an explosive three-part crossover event, and it promises to deliver both emotional depth and adrenaline-pumping action. Airing on Wednesday, January 29, the crossover will connect Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. in an unforgettable storyline titled “In the Trenches.”
In a recent interview with TVLine, Patrick John Flueger, who plays Officer Adam Ruzek on Chicago P.D., teased the scope and intensity of the upcoming event. “This was one of the more grounded storylines we’ve told,” Flueger shared. “And it felt powerful.”
A Unified Storyline Across Three Series
Flueger highlighted the unique experience of bringing the three shows together under one narrative. “For a bunch of shows that have deviated so fully from each other to come together in that way, it felt like there was a lot of heart that supported the storyline—if not also a bunch of explosions, smash-bangs, and booms,” he said.
The three episodes will unfold as follows:
- The crossover begins with Chicago Fire responding to a massive gas explosion in a high-rise building.
- The story shifts to Chicago Med in part two, where the team races to treat survivors.
- It concludes with Chicago P.D., as the detectives take on a dangerous mission to rescue 40 people trapped underground, including two of their own.
The Legacy of One Chicago Crossovers
The One Chicago universe has a long history of crossovers that blend its compelling storylines with high-stakes drama. However, the 2025 event is particularly significant, as it marks the first crossover in nearly five years. The last major event, a two-part crossover between Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., aired in February 2020.
Crossovers have long been a hallmark of the Dick Wolf-produced franchise, which also includes frequent overlaps with Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and FBI. These interconnected narratives keep fans engaged and highlight the franchise’s central theme of teamwork among Chicago’s first responders.
A Franchise Built on Success
The One Chicago franchise remains a ratings powerhouse for NBC, consistently averaging over seven million viewers per show. The current lineup includes:
- Chicago Fire (Season 13, with over 260 episodes),
- Chicago P.D. (Season 12, with over 230 episodes), and
- Chicago Med (Season 10, with more than 180 episodes).
Although the short-lived Chicago Justice only aired for one season in 2017, the success of its counterparts has ensured the franchise’s lasting legacy as one of television’s most beloved procedurals.
What to Expect in ‘In the Trenches’
This year’s crossover event will be one of the most intense yet. The storyline centers on a devastating gas explosion that rocks a high-rise, forcing Chicago’s firefighters, paramedics, and police officers into a race against time. With dozens of lives at stake—including their own colleagues—each team will be pushed to their limits.
Fans can look forward to explosive action, heartfelt moments, and powerful performances as the One Chicago teams come together for what Flueger promises is one of the franchise’s most emotionally resonant storylines.
Don’t miss the One Chicago crossover event airing January 29, starting with Chicago Fire, continuing on Chicago Med, and concluding on Chicago P.D.
