Chicago, Illinois – Over the past year, NBC’s #OneChicago shows have experienced a series of cast departures, leaving fans wondering why so many actors are exiting the franchise. Last season, Chicago Med said goodbye to three series regulars, including Guy Lockard, Brian Tee, and Nick Gehlfuss. Additionally, Jesse Lee Soffer, a longtime star of Chicago P.D., left the cop drama in Season 10. The trend continues with Tracy Spiridakos and Kara Killmer planning to depart from Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, respectively. The question arises: what is the reason behind this recent cast turnover?
Andrea Newman, the showrunner for Chicago Fire, explains that after 12 seasons, it is essential to shake things up and introduce new characters and dynamics to keep the show fresh. With lengthy runs becoming rare in today’s TV landscape, longevity plays a part in the decision to make these changes. Newman adds that actors don’t typically expect to stay in one TV show for 12 years, both from their perspective and the industry’s standpoint.
Andrew Schneider, the co-showrunner of Chicago Med, agrees with Newman and emphasizes the need to bring in new characters to explore different dimensions and dynamics within the show. He mentions that this approach aligns with the creative vision of the Wolf Entertainment company, which aims to keep the shows fresh and engaging. It’s worth noting that Wolf’s other franchises, FBI and Law & Order, are also undergoing some cast changes this season.
Despite the cast departures, Newman assures fans that the Firehouse 51 family still feels intact, with familiar faces like Boden, Severide, and Kidd remaining on the show. The long run of Chicago Fire has allowed for character growth and development, but mixing things up becomes necessary to maintain the show’s vitality.
Overall, the recent cast departures in the #OneChicago franchise can be attributed to the desire for new storytelling dynamics, both onscreen and behind the scenes. As fans adapt to these changes, the dedication and strength of the Firehouse 51 family continue to resonate.