With NBC‘s announcement of its winter 2024 schedule came the news of the returns of all three One Chicago shows, set for Wednesday, January 17. But just based on where Fire, P.D., and Med left off, as well as news between seasons, we’re expecting some shake-ups throughout the universe.
Med said goodbye to original cast member Nick Gehlfuss, with the ED losing Dr. Will Halstead as he headed to Seattle and reunited with ex-fiancée Natalie (Torrey DeVitto). Both Fire and P.D. ended their seasons with one of the main characters in the hospital: firefighter Mouch (Christian Stolte) after being hit with shrapnel on a call, and police officer Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) after being shot when his undercover assignment went sideways. Those two shows are also going to be saying goodbye to longtime cast members — Tracy Spiridakos from P.D. and Kara Killmer and Alberto Rosende from Fire — at some point in the upcoming seasons.
Below, we’re taking a look at the major changes we expect to see in winter and spring 2024 across the One Chicago shows.
One Chicago, Season Premieres, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, NBC
Chicago Med: The ED Without Will
The hospital just isn’t going to be the same without Will, especially considering the ED lost another of its original docs, Ethan Choi (Brian Tee), earlier in the season last year. (That’s not to say we don’t like the new characters who have come in to replace the originals.) Who will step up to be the thorn in Sharon’s (S. Epatha Merkerson) side?
Chicago Med: A New Layer to Charles
Season 9 will introduce a new doctor, Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell, pictured above on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), who has “a troubled past” and history with Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt). What will this reveal about Charles? And how will this new doctor (whose name could change) shake things up in the ED?
Chicago Fire: Severide’s Return
Taylor Kinney took a leave of absence mid-Season 11, but he’s set to return for an unknown number of episodes this winter. Is Severide going to be back for good and have to see if he can just slot right back in at 51? Cruz (Joe Minoso) has been doing a great job filling in as Squad leader in his absence. Is he just back on a temporary basis, and 51 will have to figure out what it means that he won’t be coming back for good? What will this mean for his and Kidd’s (Miranda Rae Mayo) marriage?
Chicago Fire: Fallout of Mouch’s Injury
At first, it looked like Mouch would be okay; after all, he wasn’t shot, though he was in the hospital, recovering from shrapnel that had to be removed. However, while Herrmann (David Eigenberg) was visiting him, he suddenly started bleeding out, and the season ended with his fate unknown. Will 51 lose one of its veteran firefighters? If not, will this cause Mouch to possibly decide it’s time to take a step back? How will the rest of the firehouse be affected?
Chicago Fire: Blake Gallo’s Exit
The firehouse is also losing a firefighter, with Rosende’s last episode as Blake Gallo set for the Season 12 premiere. If he’s killed off during a call, that would surely affect the rest of the first responders for episodes to follow. If he chooses to leave on his own, depending on how and why, it might make things a bit easier going forward. Either way, it’s another change for 51, one that will affect Kidd the most as the lieutenant on Truck.
Chicago Fire: 51’s New Paramedic & Firefighter
However Brett and Gallo are written out, Violet (Hanako Greensmith) is going to need a new partner in the ambulance and Truck a new firefighter. Will there be floaters to start? Will it be someone to take over as PIC (paramedic-in-charge)? Will Violet be promoted? Will the firefighter be more experienced or another candidate (as Gallo was when he was introduced)? How will these people not only get along with Violet and those on Truck but also fit in at 51?
Chicago P.D.: Hailey Upton’s Exit
One season after half of Upstead left, Spiridakos will be exiting as Detective Hailey Upton, and there are a few ways she could be written out. Upton and Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) could be reunited, she could choose to leave the CPD, or she could be killed off. However it happens, all of Intelligence is going to be affected.
Chicago P.D.: Fallout of Ruzek Being Shot
After the Season 10 finale, it was Flueger whose future with the show seemed like it could be up in the air — and that’s still possible! He was shot and still in the hospital last we heard, and we’ll have to see if he recovers, what that means for him — and Burgess (Marina Squerciati) — and what his future at Intelligence looks like, if he survives.
Chicago P.D.: A Possible New Team Member
With the loss of Upton — and Halstead last season — the team needs some experienced blood. (And there are enough male members of Intelligence now.) Who will come in? Will this person fit with the rest of the unit? Be like Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe)? Be by-the-book?
