The expansion of the One Chicago universe shows no signs of slowing down as we move deeper into the 2026-2027 broadcast cycle, with a new standalone project centering on the franchise’s most iconic duo: Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd. Titled simply Severide & Kidd, the 2027 spin-off is set to explore the couple’s lives beyond the daily grind of Firehouse 51, focusing on their specialized work within the city’s newly formed elite Arson Task Force. This series marks a shift toward a more character-driven, serialized format that allows the “Stellaride” magic to breathe in a space all its own. However, as the buzz for the show reaches a fever pitch, it has ignited a wave of fan theories regarding the off-screen relationship between Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo, with many wondering if the on-screen “happily ever after” is finally crossing over into real life.
The rumors of a “Cưới Thật” (Real Marriage) between the two leads have flooded social media in early 2026, fueled by their undeniable chemistry and a series of viral, affectionate moments from recent One Chicago press events. Fans have been “phát cuồng” (going crazy) over the possibility that the couple measure all other TV romances by might actually be a real-world item. However, in the spirit of peer-to-peer candor, it is important to separate the firehouse fiction from the facts. While their bond is undeniably one of the strongest in the industry, Taylor Kinney remains happily married to his real-life wife, model Ashley Cruger, whom he wed in a private Chicago ceremony in April 2024. For her part, Miranda Rae Mayo has remained fiercely protective of her private life, consistently describing Kinney as a “brother” and a “best friend” rather than a romantic partner.
The 2027 spin-off is designed to lean into this “soulmate” dynamic without needing a real-life romance to sustain it. Showrunners have teased that the series will delve into the “unspoken secrets” of the Kidd-Severide marriage, particularly the fallout of the Season 14 budget cuts that forced the team to rethink their future. The show will serve as a bridge between the high-octane rescue missions of Chicago Fire and the forensic, investigative depth of Chicago P.D., giving Severide and Kidd the room to lead their own narrative unit. This evolution is a direct response to the “Stellaride” fandom’s demand for more screen time, ensuring that even if Kinney and Mayo aren’t walking down a real-life aisle, their characters remain the unbreakable heart of the franchise.
As production for Severide & Kidd begins to ramp up for its 2027 premiere, the “Chicago Lockdown” on specific plot points remains in effect. What we do know is that the series will feature a rotating cast of guest stars from the 21st District and Gaffney Medical, making it the central hub for the “Marvel-level” connectivity that NBC has prioritized for 2026 and beyond. By focusing on the strength of their partnership—both as first responders and as a married couple—the spin-off promises to be a rebirth for the characters that honors their history while setting a new standard for procedural drama. The firehouse may be changing, but the legacy of Severide and Kidd is only just beginning to burn.