For more than a decade, NBC’s One Chicago franchise has been the gold standard of interconnected network dramas, delivering life-or-death rescues, high-stakes surgeries, and gritty police investigations week after week. But while the onscreen chaos is scripted, the behind-the-scenes maneuvering can feel just as dramatic — especially when contract renewals, budget cuts, and surprise exits start changing the faces we’ve come to love.
Recently, Deadline confirmed that several cornerstone stars of the franchise have officially signed on for the upcoming seasons, easing months of speculation about the shows’ futures. For diehard fans, it’s a mix of relief and heartbreak — because while some familiar faces are sticking around, others won’t be walking the halls of Firehouse 51 or patrolling Chicago’s streets ever again.
A Firehouse in Flux
No series in the One Chicago lineup has seen as much turbulence lately as Chicago Fire. The firefighting drama ended its 13th season on a hopeful note — Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) discovering they’re expecting a baby — only to follow that emotional high with the crushing news that Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) will not be returning in Season 14.
Both exits shocked viewers, particularly Kyri’s, as Ritter has been a steady, fan-favorite presence for years. Lockett, though newer, had quickly carved out his own place in the ensemble. Their departures underscore what showrunner Andrea Newman recently teased:
“We’re going to have a lot of turnover and a lot of craziness going on in the CFD from the top, where people are being cut and moved, and everything’s going to get shaken up next season.”
The shake-up won’t just be emotional — it’s also financial. Budget cuts have reportedly forced the production to trim its roster, a reminder that even long-running hits aren’t immune to cost-cutting decisions. Expect a 21-episode season, but with the caveat that even core cast members may sit out episodes here and there to balance expenses.
Still, fans can exhale knowing Kinney, Mayo, and Dermot Mulroney, who joined last season in a pivotal new role, have all locked in their contracts. At least for now, the heart of Firehouse 51 remains intact.
Med Holds Steady
Over at Chicago Med, the white coats are staying put. S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt, two of the most respected and beloved actors in the franchise, are confirmed to return for Season 10. Both wrapped the previous season on high notes — with their characters continuing to anchor Gaffney Chicago Medical Center through ever-escalating crises.
Unlike Fire, Med hasn’t seen the same level of turnover recently, but the looming question of budget-driven episode absences still applies. Expect tighter story arcs and perhaps more rotating focus on the ensemble as a way to keep the show fresh while working within constraints.
P.D. Marches Forward
And then there’s Chicago P.D., the grittiest of the trio, where Jason Beghe remains firmly at the helm as Hank Voight. Fans who feared a possible exit can rest easy — Beghe is back, and Voight will continue to lead Intelligence with his trademark blend of sharp instincts and moral ambiguity.
P.D. has weathered its share of cast departures in the past few years, from Jesse Lee Soffer’s exit as Jay Halstead to Tracy Spiridakos’ farewell as Hailey Upton. With those changes still fresh, Beghe’s return provides a much-needed sense of stability going into Season 13.
What It Means for the One Chicago Universe
Taken together, these moves signal both reassurance and evolution for the franchise. The confirmed returns ensure that fans won’t lose too many favorites at once, while the unexpected departures remind viewers that no character is ever truly safe.
And perhaps that’s the secret sauce of One Chicago: just like real life in high-stakes professions, the only constant is change. Firefighters get transferred, doctors move on, cops leave the force — and in turn, the shows themselves must evolve.
Budget challenges may reshape the way stories are told, but with 21 episodes locked in per series, fans can still look forward to a full season of rescues, surgeries, and takedowns.
For the characters of Firehouse 51, Gaffney Medical, and Intelligence, the stakes have never been higher — both onscreen and off. And for viewers? That means more drama, more surprises, and more reasons to tune in this fall.
