A new wave of speculation is rippling through the One Chicago fandom, and it’s a big one. According to growing industry chatter, Chicago Fire stars Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo could be heading beyond Firehouse 51—potentially into a series of their own. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the idea alone has sparked intense debate, excitement, and plenty of questions about what this could mean for the future of the franchise.
The rumors appear to stem from recent creative shifts on Chicago Fire, including Severide’s reduced on-screen presence and Stella Kidd’s increasingly independent leadership arc. Together, those changes have fueled theories that NBC may be exploring a new narrative lane—one that follows Severide and Kidd outside the familiar walls of Station 51. For longtime viewers, that would mark a major evolution rather than a simple spinoff gimmick.
From a storytelling perspective, the concept makes sense. Kelly Severide has long been associated with specialized operations, investigations, and high-risk assignments that extend beyond routine firehouse calls. Pairing that with Stella Kidd’s rise as a leader opens the door to a series focused on elite response units, training programs, or citywide emergency strategy—territory Chicago Fire has only touched on in fragments.
Miranda Rae Mayo’s Stella, in particular, has outgrown a purely supporting role. Over recent seasons, she’s become a narrative engine in her own right, representing a new generation of leadership within the CFD. A standalone series would allow that growth to continue without being constrained by an ensemble that already juggles many storylines.
For Taylor Kinney, a potential new series could also explain his lighter footprint on Chicago Fire without signaling a franchise exit. Rather than stepping away entirely, such a move would reposition him—keeping Severide alive within the One Chicago universe while giving the character renewed focus and flexibility.
Of course, this kind of expansion doesn’t come without risk. Firehouse 51 is the emotional core of Chicago Fire, and removing two central figures would dramatically alter the show’s chemistry. Fans are already divided: some see this as an exciting evolution, while others worry it could dilute what made the original series special.
It’s also important to stress that, as of now, NBC has made no official announcement confirming a Kinney–Mayo spinoff. Like many franchise rumors, this one lives in the space between creative possibility and fan speculation. Still, the consistency of the chatter suggests the idea is at least being discussed behind the scenes.
If such a series does move forward, it would signal NBC’s continued commitment to expanding One Chicago in bold ways—favoring character-driven extensions rather than simple copy-and-paste procedurals. It would also acknowledge something fans have known for years: Severide and Kidd’s story has grown bigger than one station.
Whether this remains a rumor or becomes reality, one thing is clear. Chicago Fire is no longer standing still. And wherever Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo end up next, Firehouse 51 will feel the impact long after the doors close behind them.
