NBC has delivered disappointing news for One Chicago fans — all three of its flagship dramas, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD, are set to go on an extended break much earlier than expected.
After keeping viewers hooked since early October with high-stakes storylines and emotional twists, the network has confirmed that Wednesday, November 12 will mark the fall finales for all three series.
Only One New Episode Left in 2025
The news means fans only have one more new episode of each show before One Chicago Wednesdays vanish from the schedule for the rest of the year. NBC announced that following the November 12 episodes, all three dramas will go on hiatus until January 2026.
While the network hasn’t yet confirmed the exact return date, insiders predict the shows will likely be back on Wednesday, January 7, following a similar release pattern to previous years.
This aligns with NBC’s 2024–25 broadcast schedule, when the winter premieres arrived on January 8, 2025.
Why the Early Break?
Traditionally, broadcast networks avoid airing new episodes during the busy holiday season, when viewership tends to drop due to travel and special event programming.
However, this year’s early departure — after just seven episodes — has caught fans off guard. Normally, One Chicago continues airing until late November or early December before the winter pause.
NBC appears to be making a strategic move, ending the fall run earlier to avoid mid-season production gaps later in the year. This could mean a smoother, uninterrupted run of new episodes once the shows return in January.
What Fans Can Expect
Though the news comes as a letdown, fans can take comfort in knowing the upcoming fall finales will be packed with cliffhangers and major emotional payoffs — the kind One Chicago does best.
NBC is promising intense episodes across the franchise:
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Chicago Fire will see tensions erupt at Firehouse 51 as leadership struggles intensify.
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Chicago Med is expected to feature a life-or-death medical emergency that tests the hospital’s limits.
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Chicago PD will likely close its fall run with a high-stakes manhunt that could leave one officer in danger
Where to Watch During the Hiatus
While the long break might sting, fans can relive their favorite moments on Peacock, where all seasons of Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD are available to stream.
With more than a decade of interconnected storylines and crossovers, there’s plenty of One Chicago to revisit before the 2026 episodes arrive.
