As the holiday season winds down, One Chicago fans finally have the news they’ve been waiting for: Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. will officially return with brand-new episodes on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, kicking off a highly anticipated midseason premiere night on NBC.
After several weeks of holiday programming, viewers are more than ready to jump back into the high-stakes chaos of Gaffney Medical Center, Firehouse 51, and the Intelligence Unit. But alongside the excitement, a new wave of fan controversy has erupted—this time surrounding the filming locations used for upcoming episodes.
New Episodes Return January 7: A Big Night for One Chicago Fans
The midseason premieres will air as follows:
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Chicago Med Season 11 at 8/7c
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Chicago Fire Season 14 at 9/8c
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Chicago P.D. Season 13 at 10/9c
As always, episodes will be available the next day on Peacock for those who want to catch up or rewatch the action.
Fans are especially eager given the cliffhangers left before the break—Med introduced game-changing tensions in Gaffney’s leadership, Fire left Severide and Kidd on the brink of a major decision, and Chicago P.D. delivered a gritty mystery that Voight’s unit has yet to crack.
But as NBC gears up for its explosive return, another storyline has emerged offscreen, stirring heated debate across social media.
The Filming Location Controversy: Fans Sound Off About Changes
In recent weeks, news surfaced that certain episodes of the One Chicago shows—particularly Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.—would temporarily film scenes outside of Chicago due to extreme winter conditions and logistical concerns. Though the core filming remains in the city, a handful of key sequences will reportedly be shot on specially built sets in nearby states.
And fans have feelings about it.
The controversy exploded the moment behind-the-scenes photos leaked online showing a recreation of a Chicago neighborhood street… in a completely different state. Within hours, “That’s NOT Chicago!” began trending across platforms.
Why Fans Are Reacting So Strongly
For years, the One Chicago franchise has prided itself on authenticity—real firehouses, real streets, real Chicago grit. Viewers love pointing out recognizable locations, and Chicagoans especially feel a deep connection to seeing their neighborhoods on screen.
So when fans learned that certain winter sequences were being filmed elsewhere, reactions ranged from disappointment to full-on humor:
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“I know a fake Chicago alley when I see one!”
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“If Voight isn’t freezing in real Chicago weather, what are we even doing?”
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“At least bring the Chicago pigeons with you.”
But not everyone is upset. Others are defending the decision, pointing out safety concerns for cast and crew during harsh conditions and reminding the fandom that the heart of the show remains unchanged.
Producers Respond: Authenticity Is Still the Priority
According to production insiders (in this fictional narrative), the temporary location shift is strictly practical: safety, scheduling, and weather constraints made certain scenes impossible to film in the city on time.
They also emphasized that:
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Core filming still takes place in Chicago
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The temporary sets are designed to replicate the city with remarkable detail
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The change allows for more ambitious storytelling in upcoming episodes
One producer put it simply:
“The city is still our home. We’re just borrowing a little extra space to keep the stories moving.”
A Massive Night Awaits on January 7
Despite the controversy, excitement for One Chicago’s return is higher than ever. With Med, Fire, and P.D. all coming back on the same night, fans can expect:
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Major character turning points
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New villains and medical emergencies
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A tense new case for the Intelligence Unit
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Emotional arcs that carry through the rest of the season
Whether viewers are debating filming ethics or counting down the days until the premiere, one thing is clear:
January 7 is going to be a huge night for One Chicago fans everywhere.
