They were the pillars of Chicago Fire — Severide and Casey, firehouse brothers, fan favorites, the heartbeat of Firehouse 51. But behind the scenes, Taylor Kinney and Jesse Spencer’s relationship wasn’t the bromance fans imagined. In fact, it may have been the exact opposite.
Whispers of a rift between the two actors have swirled for years, but now, those whispers are growing louder — and harder to ignore.
Sources close to production describe a gradual, unsettling shift that began after Season 5. At first, it was subtle. Missed cues. Short conversations. Cold silences between takes. But by Season 8, the energy on set had reportedly changed completely. Kinney, known for his intense personality, began retreating from cast camaraderie. Spencer, the more reserved of the two, distanced himself in return.
“The vibe was weird when they were both on set,” one insider recalls. “They weren’t fighting — but they weren’t speaking either. Not unless it was in character.”
The tension reportedly stemmed from more than just ego. As Spencer’s character, Matt Casey, started getting major plotlines and deeper emotional arcs, Kinney’s Severide remained the action-driven lead — beloved, but less complex. According to one production staffer, “Taylor didn’t like being in Jesse’s shadow. There were days he’d come to set late, or barely talk to anyone. It was like a quiet protest.”
The alleged fallout reached its peak just before Jesse Spencer announced his shocking exit in Season 10. The show gave an official reason — his desire to return to family and step back from the spotlight — but not everyone’s buying that.
“Jesse leaving wasn’t just about burnout or family,” the source insists. “He was tired of the environment. The tension with Taylor made it worse.”
Fans noticed something was off. In press appearances, Kinney and Spencer rarely sat together anymore. They barely interacted in behind-the-scenes clips. And the once-iconic Severide–Casey bond? It started to feel… scripted.
Some even claim that Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett), who shared screen time with both men, often found herself stuck in the middle — even off-camera. She reportedly began requesting staggered call times when working with both actors, aiming to “avoid the icy mood.”
To make matters worse, Kinney’s occasional absence from set in later seasons sparked even more speculation. Illness was cited — but some suspect creative differences and lingering tension with former castmates played a part.
NBC has never acknowledged the rumors. Both actors remain tight-lipped, never addressing each other in interviews or social media. But for long-time fans who believed in the Casey–Severide brotherhood, the truth is hard to ignore.
How did Chicago Fire’s dynamic duo become distant co-stars?
And as the show moves forward with new cast additions and changing storylines — can that chemistry ever be rebuilt?
The flames on-screen might be under control. But off-screen? Something’s still smoldering.
