Ever since Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) first locked eyes on Chicago Fire, their relationship has captivated fans. Over the years, they’ve navigated numerous obstacles, but the upcoming Season 13 promises a new layer of complexity: the topic of parenthood.
In Season 12, Severide casually raised the idea as Stella was rushing off to work, but her reaction was ambiguous, leaving fans wondering what lies ahead for the couple.
Severide has been in a phase of deep introspection, especially as he and Stella settle into life amid the personnel changes at Firehouse 51. Parenthood is a major step, and Season 13 will delve into how this conversation impacts both of them—not only as a couple but also as individuals with careers in the stress-filled world of firefighting.
The show will highlight the stark differences in how men and women approach family planning. For Severide, the desire to start a family is growing, but for Stella, the decision carries a different weight, as balancing a firefighting career with motherhood presents unique challenges.
Both characters also come from troubled family backgrounds, which complicates their views on becoming parents. With no solid role models in their lives, they must confront their own pasts and insecurities while figuring out their future together.
As if the topic of parenthood wasn’t enough, a new twist is added when Jack Damon (Michael Bradway), the latest recruit at Firehouse 51, revealed at the end of Season 12 that he is Severide’s half-brother. The revelation, stemming from their late father Benny’s (a notorious philanderer) complicated legacy, throws Severide off center. This is not the first time Severide has discovered a half-sibling, but it comes at a particularly delicate moment—right when he’s contemplating having a family of his own.
Damon’s arrival creates tension not only in Severide’s personal life but also at work. As Severide wrestles with his sense of responsibility toward his newfound brother, the dynamics at the firehouse shift, particularly because Kidd is now Damon’s superior. Work and personal life are closely intertwined for both of them, and one inevitably influences the other.
According to showrunner Andrea Newman, Damon’s presence will have profound implications for both Severide and Kidd. “It’s particularly impactful for Severide, but it affects Kidd, too, because Kidd is Damon’s boss,” Newman explained to Give Me My Remote. “It’s a real journey for Severide, who was already in this family-focused mindset, thinking about having his own family, and suddenly, a family member he never knew about appears. It’s a tricky situation.”
Miranda Rae Mayo and Taylor Kinney (Photo: Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)
As the couple continues to weigh the idea of starting a family, Severide’s relationship with Damon will play a key role. “He wants Damon to be part of that family,” Newman said of Severide. “He’s craving that sense of belonging and hopes Damon can bring that if they manage to work through the secrets and underlying issues.”
But Damon’s presence isn’t the only challenge. The conflict between Severide and Kidd over Damon could deepen the couple’s discussion about parenthood. “That family conversation will be a journey for them,” Newman added. “Severide knows it would impact them both in very different ways, and that’s something they’ll need to talk through.”
As the new season unfolds, fans can look forward to Severide and Kidd finally hashing things out and making critical decisions about their future. “That’s a really fun part of it to explore,” Newman teased.
Catch the new seasons of One Chicago on NBC on Wednesdays. Chicago Fire at 8 p.m. CT, sandwiched between Chicago Med at 7 p.m. CT and Chicago P.D. at 9 p.m. CT. You can also stream all three shows the next day on Peacock.
