As NBC prepares to launch the fall 2025 television season, the One Chicago franchise—consisting of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med—has made a bold and controversial move that’s dividing fans and critics alike: choosing not to address several major cliffhangers from last season until mid-way through their respective upcoming runs.
According to insiders, showrunners have opted for a “slow-build” strategy, choosing to explore new characters, backstories, and procedural plots before revisiting dramatic loose ends from last season. That includes the fate of Chicago Fire’s Severide, the fallout from Officer Kiana Cook’s abrupt exit on Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med’s unresolved power struggle among its leadership team.
Fan reactions have been swift—and mixed. Some longtime viewers appreciate the writers’ desire to refocus on core team dynamics and layered storytelling, especially as each series introduces new cast members and creative staff. Others, however, feel the delay undermines the emotional weight of last season’s finales.
One online commenter wrote, “They can’t just ignore everything and expect us to forget. We’ve been invested for over a decade.”
The controversy also coincides with cast turnover across all three shows. Chicago P.D. recently confirmed the departure of Toya Turner (Officer Cook), while Chicago Fire is still silent on Taylor Kinney’s long-term future as Severide. Meanwhile, Chicago Med has quietly recast several supporting roles, signaling deeper shifts.
With premieres scheduled for late September, the One Chicago franchise is betting big on a refreshed storytelling approach—while risking backlash from its most loyal fans.
