Fans of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med were eager to dive back into the drama after the shows returned from a midseason break, each delivering high-stakes storylines. Chicago Med revealed the fate of Sharon Goodwin, Chicago Fire explored Joe Cruz’s mounting issues, and Chicago P.D. offered deeper insight into Kiana Cook’s backstory. However, viewers expecting new episodes on January 15 were met with disappointment as NBC preempted the beloved One Chicago lineup.
Here’s the real reason the shows were unexpectedly pulled and how it impacts the highly anticipated crossover event.
Why Were One Chicago Shows Preempted?
Contrary to speculation, the schedule shift wasn’t related to Los Angeles wildfires, which had previously led NBC to skip airing a Chicago Fire promo. Instead, the programming pause was due to President Joe Biden’s farewell speech, scheduled to air at the top of NBC’s primetime slot on January 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
Rather than delay the One Chicago block, NBC opted to air reruns in place of new episodes. Fans were treated to older episodes from each show’s current season: Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 3, followed by Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 3, and Chicago P.D. Season 12, Episode 3.
New episodes for all three shows are now slated to return on Wednesday, January 22. The postponed episodes—Chicago Med’s “Broken Hearts,” Chicago Fire’s “Chaos Theory,” and Chicago P.D.’s “Zoe”—will pick up where the midseason drama left off.
How Does This Affect the Upcoming One Chicago Crossover?
Fans worried about potential disruptions to the much-anticipated crossover event scheduled for January 29 can breathe a sigh of relief. NBC has confirmed that the event will proceed as planned despite the schedule shift. The network’s decision to take this week off instead of the following one aligns the shows for a seamless lead-in to the three-part crossover.
The crossover episodes, collectively titled “In the Trenches: Part 1, 2, & 3,” will feature a catastrophic gas explosion in a high-rise building. Chicago’s first responders will unite to rescue hundreds of civilians, but the real danger lies beneath the surface. A group of 40 people—including some of their own—will be trapped underground, adding to the tension.
There’s no official confirmation yet regarding which characters will face peril, but with Chicago Fire kicking off the crossover, it’s likely the storyline will focus on the firefighters’ immediate response to the explosion.
A Change in Crossover Scheduling
The crossover will also feature a slight shakeup in the traditional One Chicago lineup. Instead of starting with Chicago Med, the event will begin with Chicago Fire, followed by Chicago Med and concluding with Chicago P.D. This reordering ensures the story flows cohesively across all three episodes, heightening the drama and stakes.
What’s Next for One Chicago?
While the unexpected break disrupted fans’ schedules, the decision to prioritize President Biden’s farewell speech reflects NBC’s commitment to national events. Viewers can look forward to the return of One Chicago on January 22, with the postponed episodes building momentum for the thrilling crossover event.
From personal conflicts to life-or-death rescues, the rest of the season promises to deliver the action and emotional depth fans have come to expect from the franchise.
