9 One Chicago Prequel Ideas That Could Bring the Franchise Back to Life

9 One Chicago Prequel Ideas That Could Bring the Franchise Back to Life

With longtime cast members exiting and storylines winding down, One Chicago fans are hungry for fresh energy — and what better way to reignite the franchise than by going back to where it all began? Prequels offer a chance to explore the origin stories, personal struggles, and pivotal moments that shaped the heroes we know today.

Here are 9 One Chicago prequel ideas that could bring the franchise roaring back to life:

1. Voight: The Early Years
A gritty crime drama following a young Hank Voight’s rise through the CPD — before the badge weighed him down.

2. Firehouse 51: Ground Zero
Set in the aftermath of 9/11, this series follows a younger Boden and his crew as they rebuild the firehouse and redefine heroism.

3. The Med Interns
A high-stakes, Grey’s-style medical drama tracking the chaos of young Natalie Manning and Connor Rhodes during their residency.

4. Burgess & Roman: Academy Days
A buddy-cop series filled with training mishaps, awkward first patrols, and the spark of early chemistry.

5. Dawson Siblings: Before 51
Gabby and Antonio Dawson navigating their troubled upbringing in Chicago’s rougher neighborhoods.

6. The Intelligence Files
An anthology exploring the backstories of past and present Intelligence Unit members — one episode at a time.

7. Platt: Beat Cop
From ticket-writer to desk sergeant, a sharp-tongued drama with a surprising emotional core.

8. Med’s ER Origins
The hospital's transformation from chaos to Chicago’s top trauma center — with flashbacks to familiar faces in junior roles.

9. One Chicago: The First Crossover
The first-ever unofficial crossover, when a young Boden, Voight, and Will Halstead crossed paths without even realizing it.