Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman has teased the arrival of a new firefighter in season 12, who is set to cause trouble at Truck 81.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the new season, following the cliffhanger ending of season 11 – which left Randall ‘Mouch’ McHolland (Christian Stolte) seriously injured during a tense rescue call.
Speaking to TVLine, Newman revealed that season 12 will see another firefighter join the team, but not without its challenges.
“There will be a new firefighter joining Truck 81, but not for the reasons anyone thinks,” she said (via Screen Rant). “Of course, the newbie will be trouble with a capital T – but is it the good kind or the bad kind? We’ll find out….”
The producer went on to describe the show’s time jump from the previous season and the significant changes within the team. “There will be some time jump going into the premiere, and viewers and 51 are in it together,” she explained.
“There have been big changes, and the 51 gang is on a rollercoaster ride throughout the episode trying to navigate all of it.”
Ahead of the show’s return on January 17, Kara Killmer and Alberto Rosende have recently announced they will be leaving firehouse 51 in the upcoming season.
Killmer joined the show as Sylvie Brett in season three, while Rosende notably played Blake Gallo for four seasons.
How to Get Away with Murder star Rome Flynn has subsequently joined the cast, alongside Taylor Kinney who returns as Lieutenant Kelly Severide. The actor temporarily left the show earlier this year due to a personal matter.
Chicago Fire, Chicago PD and Chicago Med are set to return on January 17, 2024 on NBC and Peacock in the US, and on Sky Witness in the UK.