What fans saw as one of Kelly Severide’s most powerful finales almost didn’t happen. Behind the scenes of Chicago Fire, Taylor Kinney came very close to skipping the finale shoot entirely — and the reason stunned everyone who later heard the story.
Sources say Kinney was battling a mix of personal stress, emotional exhaustion, and pressure from the intense finale storyline. His sudden social media silence only fueled speculation, but the real issue was deeper: he wasn’t sure he had the energy or clarity to deliver the high-stakes finale the show required.
According to insiders, the turning point came after a raw, honest conversation with showrunner Derek Haas. Kinney expressed doubts about filming that day, while Haas reminded him of the importance of Severide’s arc — and how much his presence meant to the cast, the crew, and millions of fans.
Kinney ultimately pushed through, arriving on set with quiet determination. Crew members said his scenes carried a new emotional weight — something fans later praised as one of his “most powerful and vulnerable performances ever.”
Only after the episode aired did Kinney reveal the truth:
“There was a moment where I wasn’t sure I could do it… but I’m glad I didn’t walk away.”
His near-exit sparked conversations about the emotional and physical toll long-running roles can take, and only deepened fans’ admiration for him.
In the end, what nearly became a last-minute absence turned into one of Severide’s most unforgettable finales — and a reminder that even TV heroes face real-life battles behind the scenes.
