Just as Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. gear up for their explosive season finales, NBC has officially announced the renewal of all three shows—but that’s only part of the story. In a surprise update that’s sending shockwaves through the fandom, the network also confirmed that the One Chicago franchise will undergo a creative transformation heading into the next television season. With fresh leadership behind the scenes, expanded crossover events, and a unifying storyline that promises to connect all three shows more deeply than ever before, One Chicago is entering a bold new chapter.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect—or more dramatic. With Season 12 of Chicago P.D. teasing the possible dismantling of the Intelligence Unit, Chicago Fire facing leadership turmoil at Firehouse 51, and Chicago Med caught in a web of medical corruption, fans are already bracing for cliffhangers. NBC’s announcement now adds weight to those finales, confirming that the aftershocks will be felt well into the next season.
The biggest headline? NBC isn’t just extending these shows—it’s reinvesting in them. In a move described by insiders as “ambitious but overdue,” the network is bringing in new showrunners and creative voices to breathe new life into the characters, arcs, and interwoven worlds that fans have loved for over a decade.
Lisa Katz, President of Scripted Programming at NBCUniversal, stated, “One Chicago is more than just three series. It’s a cultural fixture. As we step into the next chapter, we want to honor the legacy while giving the stories room to evolve.” That evolution includes more serialized storytelling across the franchise, deeper emotional arcs, and crossover events that span entire seasons instead of one-off episodes.
Behind the scenes, change is already underway. All three shows will enter the next season with either new showrunners or expanded writers’ rooms that reflect NBC’s commitment to inclusivity and fresh storytelling. Longtime executive producers, including franchise creator Dick Wolf, will remain involved to ensure continuity and tone, but newer creatives will be tasked with pushing characters into uncharted territory.
Cast members have responded to the news with palpable excitement. Marina Squerciati, whose portrayal of Kim Burgess has been a standout in Chicago P.D., hinted that “this isn’t just a renewal—it’s a rebirth.” LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater) called the upcoming finale “the start of something much bigger than just another season.” Over on Chicago Fire, Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd) teased that the finale would “ignite a fire—literally and figuratively—that carries us into the new era.”
What does that mean for the finales airing soon? Expect chaos. Chicago P.D. is building toward a collision between Voight’s unit and a powerful political adversary, with Burgess’s badge already on the line. Chicago Med will end its season with a whistleblower threatening to expose a deal that could ruin the hospital’s reputation. And Chicago Fire? Rumors suggest the finale will feature a rescue gone wrong that sparks a major leadership crisis at Firehouse 51.
NBC’s announcement ensures these storylines won’t be rushed to resolution. Instead, they will bleed directly into next season, forming the spine of a larger mystery arc that will link the three shows in unprecedented ways. For the first time in franchise history, a single storyline may span all three series for an entire season, encouraging viewers to follow each thread in Med, Fire, and P.D. to see the full picture.
The network’s bold move also seems to acknowledge the reality of modern television: that viewers are more invested than ever in serialized, emotionally grounded stories. By doubling down on character depth, multi-episode arcs, and long-term payoffs, NBC is signaling that One Chicago is not just staying relevant—it’s evolving to lead.
Fan reaction to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive. Hashtags like #OneChicagoReborn and #InWolfWeTrust began trending within hours of the renewal, while Reddit forums and fan pages erupted with speculation. One user wrote, “They’ve been coasting for a while—it’s time to shake things up. This is exactly what the franchise needed.” Another added, “A season-long crossover arc? Finally! That’s what we’ve been asking for since the early seasons.”
Still, there’s an undercurrent of cautious optimism. As one longtime fan posted, “Please don’t change what works—but if you’re going to evolve, make it count. We’ve stuck around this long because we care.” NBC seems to have heard that message loud and clear. The promise is that, while the format may shift and the stories grow more connected, the heart of One Chicago—bravery, sacrifice, justice, and community—will remain unchanged.
Filming for the next seasons is expected to begin in late summer, with premieres tentatively slated for January 2026 as part of NBC’s midseason rollout. More casting announcements, new character reveals, and hints about the overarching mystery arc are expected in the coming months. But for now, as fans prepare for what could be the most emotionally charged finales yet, there’s something deeply comforting in knowing that One Chicago isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started—again.
