The flames may never stop in Chicago Fire, but for once, fans can breathe a little easier. In a major update that brings hope after months of speculation, Deadline has confirmed that several key cast members from NBC’s One Chicago franchise — including Chicago Fire — have officially signed on for the upcoming season. As the dust settles from recent cast exits and off-screen budget concerns, Firehouse 51’s future, while still uncertain, is starting to take shape.

Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide) and Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd) — two of the show’s emotional pillars — are both returning, anchoring Season 14 with familiar chemistry and renewed momentum. After years of turbulence, both on-screen and behind the scenes, their continued presence provides not just narrative stability but emotional grounding for the fanbase. Also joining them full-time is Dermot Mulroney, whose character — introduced in Season 13 — has now been upgraded from a one-year contract to a recurring role in the new season.

This news comes at a crucial moment. With the heartbreaking departures of Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver), many fans feared Season 14 would usher in too much change, too quickly. Both Ritter and Carver were fan favorites — and their absence leaves a notable void in the firehouse dynamic. However, the confirmed return of Severide and Kidd offers a thread of continuity through the chaos.

And chaos, it seems, is exactly what awaits.

Showrunner Andrea Newman has teased that Season 14 won’t just be about putting out fires — it’ll be about surviving a storm of change within the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) itself. “A lot of turnover and craziness” is expected, with shake-ups happening from the top down. That means promotions, reassignments, and even unexpected cuts. In a world where even beloved characters can be pulled from the roster due to budget constraints, nothing is guaranteed.

Real-world financial pressures are also influencing the storytelling. Though Chicago Fire is slated for a full 21-episode season, not every cast member will appear in every episode — a direct result of NBC’s ongoing cost-cutting measures. It’s a decision that might frustrate longtime fans, but it also adds a new element of unpredictability to each week’s drama.

Despite the upheaval, there’s a flicker of light on the horizon — and it comes in the form of new life. The Season 13 finale ended with a powerful, intimate moment: Stellaride staring down at a positive pregnancy test. For a couple who has weathered deployments, breakups, and near-death rescues, this storyline could finally offer the sense of family they’ve both longed for.

But in true Chicago Fire fashion, even joy comes with danger. How will Stella handle the physical demands of the job while pregnant? Will Severide step back to protect his growing family — or will the pressures of duty keep pulling him away?

As Season 14 ignites, one thing is clear: Firehouse 51 is facing a crossroads — emotionally, professionally, and structurally. And with so much at stake, fans can expect a year of hard choices, raw emotion, and gripping action. Whether it’s rebuilding after loss or stepping bravely into the unknown, the crew is ready to fight — not just flames, but the forces threatening to tear them apart.

Because at Firehouse 51, family isn’t just who you love — it’s who you fight for.