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Will Taylor Kinney be back as Kelly Severide in \? Attention, Chicago Fire enthusiasts! The inaugural installment of Wolf Entertainment’s renowned Chicago franchise has been granted a twelfth season, much to the delight of fans worldwide. After months of eager anticipation, the show is poised to make a triumphant return.
Following the heart-pounding cliffhanger that left viewers on the edge of their seats last season, the burning question on many devoted fans’ minds is whether any of the original main cast members will be reprising their roles. This continuity is crucial for the progression of the show’s plotlines and character arcs, ensuring a seamless transition into the new season.
For those curious about the cast, we’re thrilled to announce the long-awaited return of a beloved character! Taylor Kinney, the charismatic actor behind Lieutenant Kelly Severide, is set to grace our screens once again in Chicago Fire’s upcoming twelfth season. Despite his absence in the latter half of Season 11 due to personal reasons, fans can now rejoice in the news of his return. Kinney’s magnetic presence and undeniable talent have captivated audiences, and while the exact number of episodes he’ll feature in remains uncertain, sources confirm his comeback will be early in the season.
The Chicago Fire writer’s room officially resumed operations on October 4th, with Kelly Severide prominently featured in the initial batch of scripts for the next season, according to Deadline. While further details about Kinney’s appearances are pending confirmation, reports suggest that his return will be on a full-time basis, marking a significant development since his last appearance in the episode titled “Run Like Hell.” This news is particularly exciting for fans who were disappointed by his absence in the Season 11 finale, “Red Waterfall.” To fill this void, Jesse Spencer, who portrayed Matt Casey alongside Kinney for ten seasons, made two guest appearances last spring, including in the 11th season finale.
In addition to Kinney’s return, NBC has announced a delay in the entire One Chicago franchise (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med) to 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Originally slated for Fall 2023, the strike’s impact on writing and filming prompted this shift. Writing resumed post-strike in late September 2023. Though the season may be condensed to 12-13 episodes given the timeframe, fans can look forward to Fire airing on Wednesdays at 9 PM EST, followed by Med at 8 PM EST, and PD at 10 PM EST on the NBC network.
Regarding Severide’s character arc, it’s revealed that he embarked on an arson investigation training program, seizing an opportunity too significant to pass up. At the time of Kinney’s temporary departure, Severide was a newlywed, having exchanged vows with Stella Kidd, portrayed by Miranda Rae Mayo, at the close of Season 10. This storyline is poised for further exploration in the upcoming episodes.
While the official synopsis for the season is yet to be confirmed, the summary offers a glimpse into what lies ahead: “In the wake of a fire/extremist threat, Mouch’s life hangs in the balance. Sylvie’s relationship with Dylan came to a close, and a new door opened as Casey proposed to her, all the while as she was looking to adopt an infant girl. Stella makes the decision to leave Chicago in hopes of bringing Kelly back.”
Produced by Universal Television in association with Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment, Season 11 executive producer/co-showrunner Andrea Newman has been appointed sole showrunner for the forthcoming twelfth season.
Finally, for fans eager to catch up on the entire One Chicago trilogy, episodes are available for streaming on NBC’s official website and app after they air on the channel. The series can also be streamed on platforms like Peacock, FuboTV, and Hulu Plus. Renting or purchasing on Amazon Instant Video or Vudu is another convenient option. Additionally, earlier seasons are accessible for free streaming on IMDb TV, location-dependent. For international viewers, the series originally aired on Global before moving to CityTV in Canada. In Malaysia, it premiered on PRIMEtime for eight seasons, subsequently relocating to Universal Channel Asia and AXN Asia.