The flames may never die out at Firehouse 51, but with Season 14 of Chicago Fire approaching, fans had every reason to be anxious. The show’s landscape is changing. Contracts were expiring. Departures had already been confirmed. And yet—just when uncertainty threatened to dim the fire—NBC dropped the news fans have been waiting for: Taylor Kinney, Miranda Rae Mayo, and Dermot Mulroney are officially back.

That’s right. Severide, Kidd, and Chief Pascal aren’t going anywhere.

According to Deadline, the trio has inked new deals with the network, confirming their roles in the upcoming season and bringing immediate stability to Chicago Fire’s central cast. And their return couldn’t be more vital. With Severide and Kidd expecting their first child—a major twist revealed in the Season 13 finale—the show is heading into uncharted, emotionally rich territory.

Fans who have followed Severide’s long journey through grief, love, leadership, and firehouse brotherhood know that his character anchors much of the show’s emotional core. Pairing that with Stella Kidd’s fierce ambition and unbreakable spirit, their storyline as future parents is poised to become the heartbeat of Season 14. And they’ll be doing it under the watch of Chief Pascal—Dermot Mulroney’s sharp-suited addition to the Firehouse 51 family, whose leadership style is only beginning to unfold.

Securing these three names was more than just good casting—it was necessary survival for a show navigating potential cast shake-ups. As of now, the status of several key cast members remains unknown.

Longtime favorites like David Eigenberg (Herrmann), Joe Minoso (Cruz), and Christian Stolte (Mouch)—some of the only original cast members still standing—have yet to confirm their return. Their presence has been instrumental in maintaining the show’s heart and humor, and without them, Chicago Fire risks losing the connective tissue that links it to its earliest seasons.

Then there’s the next generation of firefighters and paramedics. The futures of Hanako Greensmith (Violet), Jocelyn Hudon (Lyla), and Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) are still uncertain. These characters have built strong followings in recent seasons, especially Violet, whose emotional arcs have often been scene-stealers.

But the most jarring departures are now confirmed: Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) will not return as series regulars. Whether they’ll be written out off-screen or given final scenes remains to be seen, but the loss of Carver and Ritter is already being felt by fans who watched their growth and camaraderie unfold over multiple seasons.

What does this mean for Season 14?

For now, it means the heart of the firehouse is still beating. Severide and Kidd’s relationship will continue to evolve as they face parenthood. Chief Pascal will presumably dig deeper into leadership challenges—and perhaps even conflicts—with a crew still adjusting to change.

Behind the scenes, filming is expected to begin in July, with casting announcements and potential new additions likely to drop as the season inches closer to its fall premiere. NBC and Wolf Entertainment have signaled that they’re committed to keeping the core of Chicago Fire intact, even as it continues to grow and evolve.

For fans who’ve stayed loyal through every fire, fall, and farewell, this latest update offers something very rare in the world of television drama:

Hope.

Because as long as Severide, Kidd, and Chief Pascal are in play, there’s plenty more story to tell—and the fire’s not going out anytime soon.

Which character are you most relieved to see return—and who are you still worried about losing in Season 14?