When you think of Chicago Fire, it’s nearly impossible to separate the series from Taylor Kinney’s smoldering, battle-tested Kelly Severide. For more than a decade, he’s been the firefighter every fan can count on — equal parts loyal friend, fearless leader, and heartthrob hero. But like every television legend, Severide’s journey began with something deceptively simple: a single line.
And that very first line — delivered in the opening episode of Chicago Fire back in 2012 — came right before all hell broke loose.
Kinney’s First Words as Severide
The pilot introduced fans to Firehouse 51 with crackling intensity: flames roaring, sirens wailing, lives hanging in the balance. Amidst the chaos, Severide dropped his debut words with the kind of casual grit that would come to define him. His first line was a playful jab at his best friend and fellow firefighter Andy Darden, teasing,
“Andy makes Squad the day I no longer am in charge.”
The line may have been a throwaway joke in the moment, but fans watching today know the cruel twist of fate that followed. Darden tragically died in that very episode, setting in motion years of grief, loyalty, and conflict that would shape Severide into the character Kinney embodies so powerfully today.
Looking back during a 2021 cast reunion video, Kinney couldn’t help but smile at how long ago it all was. Watching his younger self sprint shirtless into burning buildings, the actor joked:
“Things hurt a little longer than they used to when that [line] was first uttered.”
That blend of humor, heart, and resilience has been Kinney’s signature both on and off screen.
First Lines Across the One Chicago Universe
The fun of the 2021 throwback special was seeing not just Fire’s beginnings, but also how Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med stars made their own unforgettable first impressions.
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Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) — Before he became a fan-favorite detective, Halstead’s first words were far from serious. Ordering drinks at Molly’s, he said: “Could I please send a couple of Long Island iced teas for the ladies in the corner?” Soffer laughed at the memory, admitting Halstead started out “undercover and on the prowl.”
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Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) — Known for her sarcasm, Platt’s debut line came after a cheerful “Good morning, sunshine” from a colleague. Without missing a beat, she deadpanned: “Funny.” Morton chuckled that over the years Trudy had softened “just a bit,” but fans know she’ll always be the precinct’s sharp-tongued backbone.
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Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) — His entrance was anything but subtle. Tasked with disarming a suicidal citizen during a training scenario, Ruzek barked at his partner: “You wanna kill yourself? I’ll do it!” before tackling him and grabbing the gun. The raw intensity caught the eye of Elias Koteas’ Olinsky — and landed Ruzek a spot in Intelligence. Flueger still calls it his favorite scene of the series.
On the Med side, Brian Tee’s Dr. Ethan Choi made his mark with urgency, requesting an X-ray in the middle of a chaotic ER. Simple, sharp, and instantly defining.
Why First Lines Still Matter
Looking back at these debuts reminds fans how carefully the One Chicago writers crafted their characters. A single line wasn’t just dialogue — it was a blueprint for everything to come. Severide’s confident wisecrack, Halstead’s charm, Platt’s sarcasm, Ruzek’s recklessness, Choi’s precision — each set the tone for the characters we’ve come to love.
It also underscores the magic of One Chicago: these shows aren’t just about rescues or arrests, but about watching flawed, fascinating people grow. And it all starts with that first impression.
What’s Next for the Franchise
As NBC gears up for the return of Chicago Fire (Season 14), Chicago P.D. (Season 13), and Chicago Med (Season 11) this October, longtime fans are already bracing for new drama, fresh faces, and maybe even another set of “first lines” that could go down in franchise history.
But no matter how many new recruits join the ranks, Taylor Kinney’s debut as Severide remains one of the most iconic — a moment that lit the spark for more than a decade of storytelling.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one line before the firestorm begins.
