The One Chicago universe has officially been renewed. NBC has confirmed that Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. will all return with new seasons. For fans who have been following these beloved shows for years, it’s a moment of celebration. But that joy is being tempered by an unavoidable reality: some of the franchise’s most iconic characters are leaving, and their absence will reshape the stories, the dynamics, and perhaps the very soul of One Chicago.
Chicago Fire is returning for Season 13. The series, which follows the brave firefighters of Firehouse 51, has always been a mixture of adrenaline, grief, and deep relationships. However, the departure of Kara Killmer, who plays Sylvie Brett, casts a long shadow. Brett wasn’t just a paramedic—she was a deeply empathetic character who connected with the team and with audiences on a personal level. Her love story with Matthew Casey was one of the emotional anchors of the show. Although she got her happy ending, her departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. Firehouse 51 is known for its strong bond, but it’s going to take time for that dynamic to rebalance.
Over on Chicago Med, Season 10 is on the way. But the medical drama will look noticeably different without Dr. Crockett Marcel, played by Dominic Rains. Crockett brought flair, intensity, and humanity to the hospital. He was a complicated man with a painful past, and that made him compelling to watch. His departure wasn’t just the loss of a skilled trauma surgeon—it was the loss of a character who often served as a moral compass, especially during ethical dilemmas in the ER. Replacing that kind of nuance won’t be easy. The challenge now is to find a new character who can offer not just medical expertise, but emotional weight.
Perhaps the most seismic change is happening on Chicago P.D., which is heading into Season 13. Tracy Spiridakos, who plays Detective Hailey Upton, is saying goodbye. Her character has been through enormous personal and professional trials, including the collapse of her marriage with Jay Halstead and her internal struggle with the often controversial methods of Hank Voight. Upton was more than just a detective—she was a symbol of emotional resilience and moral complexity. With her departure, Voight’s team loses its strongest internal counterbalance. That shift will undoubtedly impact the tone and direction of the show moving forward.
These three departures don’t just affect their individual series. The One Chicago shows are deeply interconnected. Characters cross over. Storylines intertwine. The emotional resonance builds when viewers can follow a narrative across multiple series. So when key players like Brett, Upton, and Marcel leave, the ripple effects are felt everywhere. The emotional tapestry becomes frayed, and rebuilding it will require patience, skill, and time.
NBC has hinted that new characters will be introduced to fill the gaps. That’s expected. But what isn’t guaranteed is that viewers will connect with these newcomers in the same way. Part of what made Brett, Upton, and Marcel so compelling was the years of development that went into their characters. Their personalities, their backstories, their struggles—it all added layers to the shows. So while casting someone new is easy, building that emotional investment is the real challenge.
