In a move that has sent waves of relief and excitement through the fandom, the entire One Chicago universe is set to maintain its beloved core, with all lead actors officially signing new deals to return for the highly anticipated 2025-2026 television season. This fantastic news follows NBC’s recent renewals on May 6th, which confirmed Chicago Med for its 11th season, Chicago P.D. for its 13th, and, crucially for fans of Firehouse 51, Chicago Fire for its monumental 14th season. The consistent strong performance of all three shows on both NBC and Peacock throughout the 2024-2025 network television season clearly demonstrated their enduring popularity, further cemented by the first full One Chicago crossover event since the pre-pandemic era of 2019.

According to a detailed report from Deadline, the continuity that viewers cherish is now guaranteed. This means that the familiar and cherished faces across the entire franchise will be back in the fall. Specifically for Chicago Fire, this includes the return of the show’s formidable and fan-favorite trio: Taylor Kinney as the enigmatic Kelly Severide, Miranda Rae Mayo as the dynamic Stella Kidd, and Dermot Mulroney, whose character has added a fresh layer to the firehouse dynamics. While some of these prominent stars were navigating the expiration of long-term contracts, and others, like Mulroney, were coming off one-year deals, their collective commitment ensures that the very heart and soul of each series remain firmly in place. Each of the upcoming seasons across the One Chicago slate is reportedly slated for a robust 21 episodes, promising an abundance of compelling storylines, intense action, and deep character exploration.

What This Means for Chicago Fire: Seamless Storytelling and Fan Satisfaction

The return of these pivotal characters is nothing short of monumental for Chicago Fire. From Kelly Severide’s unwavering leadership on Squad to Stella Kidd’s inspiring journey as a lieutenant and her powerful partnership with Severide, these individuals are the very bedrock of the show’s immense and sustained popularity. Fans have invested years, even decades, in their intricate relationships, their personal triumphs, and their heartbreaking struggles. The mere thought of any of these beloved leads being absent from future seasons would have undoubtedly caused widespread disappointment and potentially disrupted the meticulously crafted narrative arcs that viewers have come to expect. Thanks to these newly inked deals, such concerns are now entirely alleviated, allowing these fan-favorite and long-running characters to continue being the recognizable and cherished faces of Chicago Fire.

This continuity is particularly vital for a procedural drama that has graced our screens for over a decade. It empowers Chicago Fire to seamlessly pick up any unresolved storylines and cliffhangers from its most recent season, rather than being forced into awkward reboots or having to hastily introduce new dynamics to compensate for missing key players. While cast changes are an inevitable part of any long-running series, maintaining a strong core cast provides essential consistency and stability, allowing the show to evolve organically while retaining its fundamental identity. Furthermore, the collective return of each show’s series regulars significantly boosts the likelihood of more expansive One Chicago crossover events. These highly anticipated collaborations, which allow characters from Firehouse 51, District 21, and Gaffney Chicago Medical Center to interact and tackle shared crises, are a massive draw for the entire franchise, and with all leads locked in, the possibilities for future interconnected narratives are brighter than ever.

Our Take: A Bright Future for Firehouse 51

The news of all One Chicago leads returning, while perhaps not entirely surprising given the franchise’s consistent top-tier ratings, is unequivocally welcome and a cause for celebration. It’s truly difficult to imagine Chicago Fire without the intense chemistry and dramatic weight brought by Severide and Stella Kidd. Their ongoing presence is not just a comfort to long-time viewers; it’s a strategic move that will undoubtedly help Chicago Fire continue its reign as a flagship performer for NBC throughout the 2025-2026 television season and well beyond. The future looks incredibly bright for the brave men and women of Firehouse 51.