NBC has officially solidified its plans for the 2025–26 television season, and the network’s flagship drama block — the beloved One Chicago franchise — is front and center. With Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med all renewed, NBC has now confirmed the returning main casts and episode counts for each series. For fans, this news brings clarity, excitement, and a strong signal that NBC is doubling down on its most successful trio of shows.
Chicago Fire has always been the emotional heartbeat of the franchise, blending high-octane rescues with deeply human character arcs. NBC has confirmed that most of the core cast will return, including Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide, Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann, and Eamonn Walker in a recurring capacity as Chief Wallace Boden. Kara Killmer, who exited earlier this year, will not return, though a new female firefighter is expected to join Truck 81.
The network has also announced that Season 14 will consist of 13 episodes, a noticeable reduction from the traditional 22-episode format. While this shift might initially worry longtime viewers, NBC and showrunners have clarified that shorter seasons allow for tighter, more focused storytelling. With fewer episodes to fill, every scene will count — expect deeper character arcs, stronger continuity, and fewer standalone episodes.
NBC has also confirmed that Chicago P.D. will return for Season 13 with 13 episodes, mirroring the reduced structure of its sister shows. Jason Beghe will continue as Sergeant Hank Voight, anchoring the Intelligence Unit through another year of tough decisions, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes investigations. Season 12 left fans with major cliffhangers, including lingering tensions between Burgess and Ruzek, as well as Torres grappling with his place in the unit. The upcoming season promises to explore these dynamics further — especially with a new recruit rumored to join the team, bringing tension and change to an already fragile unit.
The medical arm of the One Chicago universe also returns with Season 11 — and again, 13 episodes have been ordered. NBC confirmed the return of S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin), Oliver Platt (Dr. Charles), Marlyne Barrett (Maggie), and Dominic Rains (Dr. Crockett Marcel), along with newer additions like Luke Mitchell (Dr. Mitch Ripley), who made a strong impression last season.
Chicago Med will continue exploring the balance between ethical challenges and cutting-edge medicine, but it’s also embracing change. With fewer episodes, showrunner Diane Frolov says the season will focus on “high-intensity, emotionally resonant patient stories” while introducing a tech-forward subplot involving hospital automation and AI-based diagnostics — which may clash with the more human-first approach favored by Dr. Charles.
