After a wave of exits, new additions, and behind-the-scenes shakeups across Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D., fans have once again turned their attention to the future of the beloved franchise — and NBC’s top programming boss has had enough honesty for everyone.
In a recent interview addressing the frequent cast turnover across the One Chicago universe, Jeff Bader, President of Program Planning Strategy for NBCUniversal Entertainment, pushed back on concerns about the departures and reshuffling of long-running characters.
“It’s interesting,” Bader said. “Because every year there are cast changes, and every year someone asks the same question.”
His point was blunt but reassuring: yes, people leave, yes, new faces arrive, and yes — One Chicago keeps going strong anyway.
What Fans Have Been Seeing on One Chicago
Across the three Chicago dramas, cast exits have made headlines and sparked online speculation:
-
Chicago Fire said goodbye to key players like Sylvie Brett and other long-time favorites as characters evolved or actors pursued new opportunities.
-
Chicago Med faced cast reshaping with departures and storyline changes that left fans wondering who would stick around.
-
Chicago P.D. continues to integrate new blood like Benjamin Levy Aguilar’s Dante Torres into Intelligence — while familiar faces adjust to new roles.
Cast movement isn’t limited to scripted narrative decisions, either; NBC has reportedly been managing budget considerations and production changes behind the scenes that also influence how often major stars appear on screen and who stays or goes in future seasons.
NBC’s Bottom Line
Bader’s message boils down to two clear statements for the franchise and fans alike:
-
Turnover is a normal part of long-running TV drama life — especially for shows on the air for more than a decade.
-
NBC isn’t planning to rethink the lineup just because of cast exits — the One Chicago brand is still a cornerstone of the network’s Wednesday night lineup.
Whether you’re mourning a beloved character or hyped for a new ensemble member, the message from the top is firm:
Cast comes in, cast goes out — but One Chicago keeps rolling.
