NBC’s beloved One Chicago franchise is gearing up for an electrifying return this fall, and now we finally have answers to two of the most burning questions fans have been asking all summer: who’s coming back, and how many episodes will we get? With production ramping up and buzz growing louder each week, NBC has officially confirmed which stars are set to return to Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med—and the episode counts for each show might surprise even the most devoted viewers.
After a turbulent production season last year, One Chicago is returning to a sense of stability, but not without a few strategic changes. While the franchise remains one of NBC’s most consistent performers, this fall’s rollout will reflect a network balancing fan expectations with creative evolution. Let’s dive into the confirmed cast lineups, the updated episode orders, and what all of this means for the future of the Chicago universe.
Chicago Fire: Familiar Faces, Fresh Sparks, and 18 New Episodes
After a dramatic Season 12 that saw the departure of Kara Killmer’s Sylvie Brett and the temporary absence of Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide, Chicago Fire is blazing forward with a reinvigorated Firehouse 51. Taylor Kinney is officially back full-time, returning as Severide to lead the next chapter of the team’s journey. Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), David Eigenberg (Herrmann), Joe Minoso (Cruz), Daniel Kyri (Ritter), and Hanako Greensmith (Violet Mikami) are all confirmed to return.
NBC has ordered 18 episodes for the new season—up from last season’s shortened run. The increased count is a vote of confidence and allows showrunners to develop long-form arcs rather than rushing through conclusions. With Firehouse 51 welcoming new paramedics, including Rome Flynn as Elijah Banks and Tiana Okoye as firefighter-in-training Nia Brooks, fans can expect both high-stakes rescues and evolving team dynamics that test loyalty, leadership, and love.
Chicago P.D.: Upton’s Final Ride, Voight’s Reckoning, and a 16-Episode Season
Arguably the darkest and grittiest of the three shows, Chicago P.D. heads into an emotional and pivotal season. Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton) is returning—but only to wrap up her storyline. Her character’s final arc will reportedly anchor the first half of the season, culminating in a powerful goodbye that explores trauma, justice, and redemption. Jason Beghe (Voight), Patrick John Flueger (Ruzek), LaRoyce Hawkins (Atwater), Benjamin Levy Aguilar (Torres), and Amy Morton (Platt) are all set to return.
Chicago P.D. will have 16 episodes this fall, offering just enough room to explore deeper character studies and ongoing criminal investigations without overstaying its welcome. One of the season’s most anticipated additions is Zoe Winters as Det. Harper Vale—a profiler whose analytical methods clash with Voight’s old-school tactics. Early teasers suggest a war of philosophies that will drive tension through much of the season.
Chicago Med: A Balanced Ensemble and 18 Pulse-Racing Episodes
Chicago Med continues to be the franchise’s emotional and ethical heartbeat. The hospital drama welcomes back series staples like Oliver Platt (Dr. Charles), S. Epatha Merkerson (Goodwin), Dominic Rains (Dr. Marcel), Steven Weber (Dr. Archer), Jessy Schram (Dr. Asher), and Luke Mitchell (Dr. Mitch Ripley). One of the more exciting developments is the promotion of Roland Buck III (Dr. Noah Sexton) to series regular, signaling a renewed interest in family-centered stories and the complications that come with them.
This season will consist of 18 episodes, giving the show enough breathing room to tackle both urgent medical cases and the personal lives of its doctors and nurses. Two new characters—Dr. Ava Lin (Grace Song), a brilliant but guarded cardiothoracic surgeon, and Elias “Eli” Kim (Jordan Fisher), a surgical intern with unconventional flair—promise to bring conflict, heart, and humor to the emergency room.
