One Chicago is one of the longest-running TV franchises. The shows continue to pull impressive numbers close to a decade in, often completing the television season in the top ten programs andChicago Firecracking the top three. Changes are to be expected but of late, the franchise has seen several exits, acrossChicago Fire,Chicago P.D.,andChicago Med. Questions about the shows' direction have come up as long-time cast members leave, and it has become common for comments doubting the franchise’s future to dominate comments sections.TV Linespoke to NBCUniversal’s President of Programming and Strategy,Jeff Bader, about what the future looks like as the list of long-running cast members thins with every passing week.
Bader said that he wasn’t concerned about the shows since “cast comes in, cast goes out.” He looked at the upside of cast changes as old faces depart and new ones replace them.Chicago Firehas seen at least four new faces this season, something Bader says it “obviously keeps the shows fresh.” He confirmed the network’s dedication to keeping the shows on the air, saying,
“It’s interesting because every year there are cast changes, and every year someone asks the same question [about the state of #OneChicago.] But [those shows] just keep going on. We’re thrilled with how the Chicagos do on Wednesday. We have no plans on changing anything on that night.”
Cast Changes in One Chicago So Far
When the 202/2025 television season kicks off this fall, One Chicago will be quite different as familiar faces become scarce while new faces and stories dominate the narrative. InChicago Fire, Chief Boden will be less prominent asEamonn Walkersteps away from his series regular dutiesafter 12 seasons. Reports indicate thata new chief will come in to lead Firehouse 51.Alberto RosendeandKara Killmer will no longer appear as their characters were written out, whileMichael BradwayandJocelyn Huddonwill occupy the space left.
InChicago P.D.,Tracy Spiridakoswill also be absent in the upcoming season, as Hailey Upton left Chicago in the previous season. The show might be looking to bring inBojana Novakovicas a member of Intelligence.Chicago Medwill also missDominic Rains, who isstepping away from Dr Marcel Crockett’s dutieswhen the tenth season premieres. On the bright side, the only remaining long-timeChicago Medcast members,S. Epatha Merkerson,Oliver Platt, andMarlyne Barrett, are guaranteed to return as they’veextended their contracts with the network.
One Chicago returns this fall. WatchChicago Fire, the first show in the franchise, on Peacock.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire: Focusing on the professional and personal lives of the firefighters, paramedics, and rescue squad members of Firehouse 51, the series navigates the high-pressure situations and camaraderie that define their work, revealing the challenges and triumphs faced by these dedicated public servants.
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