Fans of Chicago Fire have something extra to look forward to this season — not only has Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) finally returned to Firehouse 51 after a mysterious absence, but rumors are swirling that Taylor’s real-life brother, Trent Kinney, will make a special appearance in an upcoming episode.
This news adds a fascinating real-world twist to the drama that’s been unfolding on-screen. As fans know, Severide’s disappearance at the end of Season 11 left many questions unanswered. It was later revealed that he had gone off to investigate an arson case without telling anyone — not even his wife, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). That decision caused tension between the couple, and Season 12 has been exploring how they navigate their rocky reunion.
In a recent interview with NBC Insider, Mayo admitted that Severide and Stella’s reunion wasn’t exactly smooth. “I imagine that it was quite tenuous,” she said. “It definitely was one of the hardest and most emotionally charged conversations that they’ve had as a couple. She has a lot of feelings about him leaving her in the dark.” Despite the challenges, Mayo added, “Ultimately, these two characters are crazy about each other. They love each other and are committed to doing everything they can to make it work.”
And now, just as Severide is finding his footing again at Firehouse 51, the Chicago Fire universe may be expanding to include someone very special from Taylor Kinney’s real life — his lookalike brother, Trent Kinney.
Trent first caught the public’s eye when he accompanied Taylor to The Hollywood Reporter’s red carpet event in 2012. The two brothers share strikingly similar features — especially their piercing blue eyes — and fans quickly noticed the resemblance. Off-screen, the two maintain a close bond. Taylor even served as Trent’s best man at his California wedding the same year.
Trent lives a relatively private life compared to his famous brother. He works in the IT industry and, according to his company’s website, enjoys spending time with his children and dogs, cooking, watching movies, and exercising. But according to insiders, Trent recently visited the Chicago Fire set — sparking speculation that he’s set to make a cameo appearance in a future episode.
If true, this would mark Trent’s first on-screen role and a heartwarming moment for fans who have followed Taylor’s journey since the show’s debut in 2012. While details about his role remain under wraps, some sources hint that Trent could appear as a civilian involved in an upcoming rescue mission — or even as a relative of Severide in a brief emotional subplot.
The idea of Taylor and Trent sharing the screen has fans buzzing. Their brotherly chemistry off-screen could translate naturally into authentic, heartfelt moments within the show’s dramatic world. It would also be a touching nod to Taylor’s real-life family, which has always been an important part of his story.
Beyond the excitement of this possible cameo, the timing feels perfect. Season 12 is all about reconnection — for Severide and Stella, for the members of Firehouse 51, and perhaps even for Taylor Kinney himself, who took a break from the show during Season 11. Bringing in his brother could symbolize that theme both on and off camera.
Neither NBC nor Taylor Kinney has confirmed the news yet, but fans are eagerly awaiting the next episode to see if Trent will indeed appear. Whether it’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo or a full scene alongside Taylor, one thing is certain: the Chicago Fire family just keeps growing — and this time, in the most literal way possible.
Stay tuned to Chicago Fire on NBC to see whether Trent Kinney makes his on-screen debut — and to watch how Severide’s story continues to unfold in the fiery heart of Firehouse 51.
