The 2025 One Chicago crossover event was packed with action, suspense, and emotional stakes, featuring Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med characters teaming up to investigate a gas explosion. Key players like Stella Kidd, Adam Ruzek, Hank Voight, and Kim Burgess took center stage, but unfortunately, some fan-favorite characters were significantly underused despite their importance to the franchise.
While they played crucial roles in saving lives and tracking down those responsible, their screen time was disappointingly brief. Given how much One Chicago fans love these characters, they definitely deserved more action in this high-stakes crossover.
6. Kevin Atwater – The Veteran Detective Stays in the Background
Detective Kevin Atwater has been a cornerstone of Chicago P.D. since the beginning, which made his limited screen time in the crossover frustrating. Atwater spent most of the event working behind the scenes with Dante Torres and Kiana Cook, tracking down those responsible for the gas explosion.
While he played a part in arresting security guard Lauren Bates, who helped the criminals gain access to the government building, he didn’t have any standout moments. As a dedicated, resourceful officer, Atwater should have had more involvement in the action instead of being relegated to the sidelines.
5. Sharon Goodwin – A Brief But Impactful Return
Medical director Sharon Goodwin made a triumphant comeback after recovering from a stalker attack, bringing her signature leadership and composure to the tense situations at Med. However, her screen time was surprisingly limited.
One of Goodwin’s key moments came when she mediated a heated argument between Dr. Caitlin Lenox and Detective Kim Burgess over whether to interrogate a severely burned patient. While Goodwin’s presence added gravity to the situation, she could have been more involved in the decision-making process—especially given her role as the hospital’s authority figure.
4. Darren Ritter – A Firefighter Deserving More Action
Firefighter Darren Ritter is often overshadowed by Chicago Fire’s bigger names like Stella Kidd and Sam Carver, and unfortunately, the crossover was no different. Ritter appeared briefly in the first hour, helping Carver rescue a security guard trapped under rubble.
Despite his skills, Ritter felt more like a bystander than an active participant. Given the chaotic, high-risk situation, he could have been placed in more intense rescue scenes or had a moment to shine as a hero. His limited role was a missed opportunity to showcase his bravery and quick thinking.
3. Maggie Lockwood – A Strong Leader Left in the Shadows
After her emotional breakup with Dr. Loren Johnson, many fans expected Chicago Med’s Maggie Lockwood to take on a more prominent role in the crossover. Unfortunately, she barely had any screen time.
While Maggie had a key moment assisting Dr. Hannah Asher in linking a patient to the gas explosion, she was otherwise underutilized. Given her leadership at the hospital, she could have played a bigger role in handling the crisis, especially in supporting Mouch, whose wife Trudy Platt was being treated for a gunshot wound.
2. Dante Torres – An Overlooked Detective With Untapped Potential
Detective Dante Torres spent most of the crossover working undercover, gathering intelligence on the criminals behind the explosion. While his investigative skills were vital to the case, his on-screen presence was minimal, making it feel like he was hidden in the background.
A missed opportunity would have been seeing Torres interact with other tough characters like Chief Dom Pascal, Carver, or Dr. Dean Archer—a dynamic that could have added intriguing conflicts to the crossover. Given his personal loss in the fall finale, a stronger focus on Torres would have made his arc more compelling.
1. Kelly Severide – A Leading Man Pushed Aside
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the crossover was the lack of screen time for Chicago Fire’s Kelly Severide. His emotional presence in the TV promos suggested he would play a significant role, especially with his wife Stella Kidd trapped under rubble. However, after an initial scene investigating the explosion, Severide was largely absent.
Instead of actively working with Intelligence on uncovering the cause, Severide was reduced to a worried husband. While it made sense for him to be concerned for Stella, his sharp investigative skills could have added depth to the case. For a character who has been a key player in major storylines, his limited role in the crossover felt like a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The One Chicago crossover was an action-packed spectacle, bringing together firefighters, doctors, and detectives in a way that felt reminiscent of Avengers: Endgame. However, several fan-favorite characters were severely underutilized, leaving fans hoping for a better balance in future crossovers.
Hopefully, next time, these overlooked heroes will get the screen time and storylines they deserve!
