Chicago Fire Newest Update Teases a Long-Awaited Comeback (Exactly The One You Think)

Summary:

• Chicago Fire is NBC’s procedural drama that has been on the air since 2012.
• Taylor Kinney was portraying Kelly Severide from the very beginning of the show but took a leave of absence in January 2023.
• Now there are rumors of the actors’ comeback, but there isn’t any confirmation yet.

As SAG-AFTRA members continue their strike, production on most popular television shows is on pause. While many fans are rooting for the actors to win decent working conditions and a successful conclusion to the negotiations, some are trying to look on the bright side.

Chicago Fire viewers, for example, may have just secured the long-awaited comeback of the show's fan-favorite character for the upcoming season. With the show unable to move forward with production for its 12th season, it's hard to say if Taylor Kinney would have been ready to return in time.

But now that the writers are back at work, and there are all sorts of opportunities to bring Kelly Severide back into the story, chances are the team didn't miss out on them.

What Happened To Taylor Kinney?

As much as fans have been concerned about Taylor Kinney, his personal life, and the impact it has had on his presence on the Chicago Fire, no one has really gone into detail about the reasons for the player's leave of absence. Since Kinney is known to be a rather private person, he wasn't expected to make any kind of statement.

The only thing that is known for sure is that the actor informed the team behind the Chicago Fire about the need to take a leave in January 2023. This allowed the writers to make some changes to the rest of the season and have his character in Alabama working at a firefighter training camp for an undetermined amount of time.

While Kinney was expected to make at least a brief cameo in the finale, he didn't.

Instead, fans were treated to the unexpected return of Jesse Spencer as Matt Casey. Though the actor left the show after the show’s 200th episode in October 2021 to explore other opportunities, his love for Chicago Fire seems to have won his heart back.

What’s Next For Kelly Severide?

The good news is, according to unnamed sources and confirmed by both TVLine and The Hollywood Reporter, Kelly Severide is officially back for season 12. Although it is unknown what kind of role he will play, the fact of his return is exciting enough for Chicago Fire fans to cheer and celebrate.

However, there are some versions where this comeback is temporary. Since we've all been left in the dark about the reason for Kinney's leave of absence, it's unclear if he's ready for a full comeback.

The most positive scenario, of course, would be to get Severide back on the team full-time. On the other hand, some viewers are sure that if Taylor Kinney wanted to return to the show, he would have done so by now. So chances are that the actor will only return for a few days to say a proper goodbye.

After all, Kinney's 11 years on the show have served as the glue that has kept the audience glued to the show. There are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up and a lot of words that need to be said to make the farewell proper.

Whether that happens or not, we'll have to wait and see. For now, Kelly Severide has not returned to Chicago, as season 12 is only on paper in the writers' room. Production is expected to begin as soon as the strikes are over. Stay tuned for more Chicago Fire news and behind-the-scenes updates!

Source: TVLine