As the beloved One Chicago franchise gears up for a blockbuster return this fall, NBC has officially renewed Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. for new seasons. Fans were thrilled to learn that these three staples of network television will be back with more high-stakes rescues, complex medical cases, and gripping police drama. However, the excitement is coming with a heavy dose of reality: some fan-favorite characters may be appearing far less — or not at all — in the upcoming episodes.
In what many are calling a bittersweet renewal, NBC has reportedly adopted a cost-cutting strategy that will reduce how often main cast members appear across all three shows. For the first time in years, the core ensemble dynamics of the One Chicago universe may feel noticeably different — and fans are already bracing for the emotional impact.
Chicago Fire will return for its 14th season, Chicago Med for Season 11, and Chicago P.D. for its 13th run. But unlike past renewals, this one comes with a caveat: due to budgetary constraints, the majority of cast members will no longer appear in every episode. Instead, many series regulars will only feature in 18 or fewer episodes per season — out of the standard 22. That means there will be entire story arcs where familiar faces are absent. Some characters will simply be “off-screen” for multiple episodes without dramatic exits or explanations, while others may officially leave their respective shows altogether.
Among the three shows, Chicago Fire seems to be undergoing the most drastic transformation. Fans were devastated by the news that Daniel Kyri (Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Carver) will not return as series regulars in Season 14. Their exits come after a wave of recent departures, including Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett), Alberto Rosende (Blake Gallo), and Eamonn Walker (Chief Boden) — though Walker is expected to appear in a recurring capacity. These characters have been pillars of Firehouse 51, and losing them all within a short span signals a significant tonal shift for the show. While newcomers may step in to fill the gaps, the heart of the firehouse will undoubtedly feel different.
While Chicago Med has enjoyed a bit more stability in recent seasons, it too will face changes. Dominic Rains (Dr. Crockett Marcel) is confirmed to exit after Season 10, a major blow to fans who admired his character’s emotional depth and strong presence in the OR. There is also growing concern among viewers that more cast members could follow, either by reducing their number of episodes or stepping away from the series entirely. Like Fire, Med will likely need to balance medical storylines with shifting character availability, potentially leading to more focused, patient-of-the-week-style episodes and fewer ensemble-driven arcs.
Chicago P.D. is no stranger to cast turnover, but this fall it loses Toya Turner, who portrayed Officer Kiana Cook in Season 12. Turner made a strong impression in a short time, but she will not return for Season 13. Her exit isn’t entirely surprising given her single-season arc, but it does raise questions about how the team’s composition will evolve.
The remaining cast, including Jason Beghe (Voight), LaRoyce Hawkins (Atwater), Marina Squerciati (Burgess), and Patrick John Flueger (Ruzek) are expected to return — but even they may miss episodes due to the revised production model. This opens the door to storylines that lean more heavily on one or two characters at a time, rather than the full Intelligence Unit working side-by-side in every case.
The news has sparked passionate discussions online. While many fans are grateful that all three shows are returning, others are vocal about their disappointment over reduced character screen time and abrupt exits. On Reddit, one fan wrote, “It won’t feel the same without the full team every week. I’m worried it’s going to break the rhythm that makes these shows special.” On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #BringBackRitter and #OneChicagoChanges have trended as fans express concern over losing long-standing dynamics.
