After NBC Revisited One Of My Favorite Chicago Fire Episodes, I’m Flashing Back To Jocelyn Hudon’s Season 13 Comments About Violet And Novak
Chicago Fire officially added another member to the Firehouse 51 family in Season 13, with Jocelyn Hudon returning as a series regular after recurring in Season 12. As one of One Chicago’s newest stars, the The Strain alum had big shoes to fill as 51’s newest full-time paramedic after Kara Killmer’s departure as Brett, and Novak quickly proved up to the task as Violet’s (Hanako Greensmith) partner. NBC recently re-aired one of my favorite Season 13 episodes, and it has me more excited than ever for what’s in store with Novak in Season 14.
While I’d have a hard time narrowing down my favorite Chicago Fire episodes ever out of 13 seasons and counting, “Chaos Theory” – a.k.a. Episode 10 of Season 13, airing on NBC on January 22 in the 2025 TV schedule – was a favorite from the most recent season. It was not only exciting for the Cruz story at the time, but even more interesting when looking. The episode touched on the lovely friendship between Novak and Violet, and paired both paramedics with characters who won’t be back in Season 14.
I couldn’t help but think about the potential that sets up for both characters come fall, separately and together as a duo. So, whether you’re watching summer reruns on NBC like I am, revisiting past episodes streaming with a Peacock subscription, or just following along here, read on for what Jocelyn Hudon told CinemaBlend about her first season as a Chicago Fire series regular!
Novak Settling In As Violet’s Partner
When I spoke with Jocelyn Hudon in the weeks following the three-show crossover event, I couldn’t help but drop the compliment that her relationship as Novak and Hanako Greensmith’s Violet was one of my Season 13 highlights. Luckily – for me, anyway – there was no break in their partnership to contribute to what would make me cry in the Season 13 finale by the end of May. Hudon shared what it was like to work full-time with Greensmith after just recurring in Season 12, saying:
”It’s been great. We’re tight. Same thing. We’re both kind of funny and goofy, and we have a good time. All of our scenes are mostly together, and I’m so glad we get along the way we do. We just click and it’s a good time.”
As the season went on, fans got to see Novak and Violet’s friendship deepen beyond silly and goofy, as both characters were there for each other when needed outside of Firehouse 51. Even if that was just watching reality TV together, it showed the pair bonding. After Novak’s uncertain future when she first arrived and Violet having to move on from Brett, Fire delivered some nice developments. According to Hudon, Violet being true to her word about supporting Novak meant a lot to her character. She said:
”I don’t know if [Novak] has had those experiences before, and I think having the support from Violet is probably what made her stay, feeling just like she really could rely on someone. I think that is why she’s still there.”
Considering Chicago Fire has a history of strong female friendships going back to the earliest days of Dawson (Monica Raymund) and Shay (Lauren German), that bond between Novak and Violet could come in handier than ever in Season 14 in light of events from the end of the thirteenth season.
