Fans of Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D.—collectively known as NBC’s One Chicago franchise—are in for a pleasant surprise: the new seasons of all three shows will be longer than initially expected. After months of speculation about shorter seasons due to budget constraints and industry strikes, NBC has officially confirmed extended episode orders for the upcoming 2025 seasons. This unexpected news is a welcome change, bringing renewed excitement to fans and industry insiders alike.
2024 was a turbulent year for network television. Ongoing industry strikes, cost-cutting measures, and scheduling chaos led many fans to fear their favorite series would suffer. Earlier reports had suggested that NBC would trim all three One Chicago shows to 13 or even 10 episodes in order to slash production costs. Cast contracts were also in limbo, adding to the uncertainty. But as the dust settles, the network has made a different move—opting to invest in its top-performing procedural lineup. Rather than downsizing the franchise, NBC is doubling down, committing to longer seasons that will bring back the familiar rhythm fans have come to love over the years.
The decision to extend the episode orders is not just a gift to fans—it’s a calculated business move. With a fractured streaming market and a need to maintain viewer loyalty, NBC is leaning on its strongest IPs. One Chicago draws millions of viewers weekly and drives enormous engagement on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. Internally, executives also see the extended orders as a chance to reassert the brand’s dominance on Wednesday nights. “Chicago Fire, Med, and P.D. have built an empire. We’re not walking away from that,” one source shared.
One of the biggest concerns with shorter seasons is rushed storytelling. Major character arcs often get cut or compressed, leaving fans feeling unsatisfied. The extended episode orders will now allow showrunners to take their time developing key plots. For Chicago P.D., that could mean a more nuanced exploration of Ruzek’s recovery and Burgess’s complicated emotional journey after last season’s cliffhanger. Chicago Fire can now explore deeper layers of Casey’s return and the evolution of new leadership at Firehouse 51. And Chicago Med can finally give more time to underused characters while addressing ongoing hospital shake-ups.
The extended season orders also come with another piece of good news: several key cast members whose contracts had expired are officially returning. Taylor Kinney (Chicago Fire) is back full-time, and so are Jason Beghe (Chicago P.D.) and Nick Gehlfuss (Chicago Med), who had previously left but is now confirmed for a recurring role in season 10. While contract negotiations have been tense behind the scenes, NBC’s decision to lengthen the seasons is a sign that faith in the cast’s drawing power remains strong. Showrunners have more time to flesh out complex dynamics, guest stars, and even crossover events between the three series.
For years, fans of the franchise have loved the mega crossovers—episodes that bring together characters from all three shows in large-scale emergencies or emotionally charged cases. Unfortunately, the pandemic and tight production schedules made crossovers almost impossible in recent years. With longer seasons and more coordinated planning, insiders suggest that NBC is eyeing at least one major crossover event in 2025. This could mark a return to franchise synergy and give fans the multi-perspective storytelling that once made One Chicago a Wednesday night juggernaut.
At a time when networks are cutting back, NBC’s decision to extend the One Chicago shows is a bold vote of confidence in its loyal audience and proven creative teams. The upcoming seasons will offer more stories, more emotion, and more of the beloved characters fans have followed for over a decade. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new viewer catching up on Peacock, there’s never been a better time to dive into the One Chicago universe. With longer seasons, stronger scripts, and full cast commitments, 2025 is shaping up to be the franchise’s most ambitious year in a long time.
