Good news, Chi-Hards—your favorite firefighters, doctors, and detectives aren’t going anywhere just yet. NBC has officially confirmed that Chicago Fire fan-favorite Taylor Kinney, along with fellow leads Miranda Rae Mayo and Dermot Mulroney, will be returning for the upcoming 14th season. After months of speculation and contract uncertainty, the One Chicago franchise is back on solid ground—and the future looks as hot as ever.
📺 Confirmed: The Leads Are Staying in the 312
With Kinney’s contract expiring at the end of Chicago Fire Season 13, fans were left wondering if Lieutenant Kelly Severide had made his last rescue. But NBC has now put those fears to rest.
According to Deadline, new deals have been signed across the One Chicago universe. That includes Kinney, Mayo (Stella Kidd), and Mulroney (Chief Dom Pascal) on Fire, Jason Beghe on Chicago P.D., and Med’s powerhouse duo S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt. While Merkerson and Platt had already secured multi-year contracts last year, Fire’s trio was the last piece of the puzzle.
These renewals come as the franchise celebrates major viewership wins: nearly 46 million total viewers across NBC and Peacock this past season, with Chicago Fire, Med, and P.D. seeing year-over-year increases in streaming numbers.
🍼 Baby Bombshell: Fire’s Finale Drops a Shocker
If Taylor Kinney’s real-life return wasn’t enough of a headline, the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale left fans breathless with a game-changing twist—Severide and Stella Kidd may be expecting a baby.
In a quiet but emotional moment, the couple is seen processing a positive pregnancy test, suggesting a brand-new chapter for the longtime fan-favorite pairing. Parenthood could be the next big arc for the couple, and fans are bracing for the emotional and logistical challenges that lie ahead for two of Firehouse 51’s most beloved leaders.
💍 Taylor Kinney’s Real-Life Romance: A Surprise Wedding
Off screen, Kinney is also settling into a new role—husband. The actor quietly tied the knot last year with model Ashley Cruger after two years of dating. The couple had kept much of their relationship under wraps, but their chemistry was undeniable from the start.
Ashley made her Instagram debut on Kinney’s account in March 2022, in a cheeky snap showing her giving him the side-eye mid-manicure. A month later, she hard-launched their romance with a photo from a race event in Austin, Texas, and by April, the pair were posing hand-in-hand at Operation Smile’s Park City Ski Challenge in Utah.
Their wedding came as a happy surprise to fans, especially following Kinney’s high-profile engagement to Lady Gaga, which ended in 2016 after five years together.
💼 What to Expect in Season 14—and What’s Changing
NBC’s plan for the One Chicago franchise includes a full 21-episode run for all three shows (Fire, Med, and P.D.) this fall. However, in a shift designed to trim production costs, each cast member will reportedly miss a few episodes throughout the season. While that means fewer full-team moments, it opens up storytelling flexibility and new guest arcs.
Still, the heart of Firehouse 51, Med’s hospital corridors, and the gritty beats of P.D. remain strong—and with the core leads back, the storytelling stakes are only rising.
🎬 A Franchise That Won’t Quit
Since its debut in 2012, Chicago Fire has grown into an NBC juggernaut, launching two successful spin-offs and dominating Wednesday nights for more than a decade. As the One Chicago brand powers into its next phase, stars like Taylor Kinney are proving that longevity doesn’t mean stagnation—it means evolution.
From gas line explosions to steamy kitchen moments (yes, we’re still talking about that shirtless cooking scene), Severide remains at the center of the storm. And with new responsibilities, both as a father and a leader, Season 14 promises some of his most emotionally rich material yet.
🧯 Conclusion: The Heat Isn’t Cooling Down
Taylor Kinney’s return—and his renewed contract—is more than just good news for Chicago Fire fans. It’s a sign that the passion behind One Chicago remains strong, both on- and off-screen. With growing families, evolving relationships, and high-stakes emergencies still ahead, there’s plenty more fire to fight.
Mark your calendars: the fall premieres are coming. And this time, Severide and Kidd might just be bringing a little one to Firehouse 51.
