In the world of Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med, fans have come to expect jaw-dropping moments and sudden character exits. But few know just how close the series came to erasing two of its most beloved characters—before they ever became fan favorites.
According to multiple insiders close to the production teams, early drafts of the shows’ pilot scripts painted a radically different picture. In particular, a shocking revelation came from an early table read of Chicago Fire: Severide and Dawson were originally intended to be short-lived characters, both set to be written off before the season one finale.
The reason? “They were meant to be sacrificial stakes,” an anonymous source revealed. “The writers wanted the audience to feel that no one was safe. But then something happened—chemistry. Explosive chemistry.”
Taylor Kinney (Severide) and Monica Raymund (Dawson) delivered such powerful performances that producers were stunned. Their dynamic not only brought depth to their characters but created a level of emotional complexity the writers hadn’t planned for. Suddenly, killing them off wasn’t just risky—it would’ve been TV suicide.
As the seasons unfolded, these two evolved into core pillars of the show. Severide’s brooding loyalty and Dawson’s fierce compassion became essential to the series’ identity. But that early decision haunted the writers’ room for years. In fact, there were moments—especially during contract negotiations—when old plans resurfaced.
What’s even more jaw-dropping? A similar fate nearly befell Chicago P.D.’s Hailey Upton. Sources close to the writers say she was introduced as a temporary replacement, never expected to stick around past a multi-episode arc. But Tracy Spiridakos’ intensity and vulnerability struck a chord, both with the cast and the audience. She was so effective that the creative team pivoted mid-season to extend her storyline indefinitely.
Behind closed doors, producers have admitted that the fluid nature of the franchise often requires brutal decisions. “There are binders full of alternate endings,” one former showrunner confessed. “Some characters died three different ways before a final script was approved.”
This chaotic, ever-shifting storytelling process is why the One Chicago universe feels so real—and so dangerous. But it’s also a double-edged sword. Fans grow attached quickly, and when a near-death becomes a real exit, the backlash is fierce.
What would have happened had Severide been killed off in season one? Would Dawson’s absence have altered Casey’s trajectory so drastically that he’d never develop into the anchor of the show? Would Upton’s absence have left a void in Voight’s squad that couldn’t be filled?
These questions aren’t just hypothetical—they’re a glimpse into an alternate timeline that was narrowly avoided.
As the shows continue to evolve and hint at more character departures (and resurrections), fans can’t help but wonder: who’s really safe in the One Chicago universe? And how many times have their favorite characters cheated death—on screen and off?
One thing’s for sure: in this universe, even the writers don’t always know who makes it to the next season.
