Chicago Fire: What Does Future Hold For Kelly Severide Amid His Second Leave?
It’s been only three episodes since Taylor Kinney’s return to Chicago Fire — and now he’s off again. What does it mean for Kelly Severide’s future on the show?
Summary:
- Taylor Kinney took a leave of absence from Chicago Fire mid-Season 11 and only returned in the S12 premiere.
- Three episodes in, his character Kelly Severide already left again for another arson investigation case.
- Fans claim Chicago Fire should either keep Severide with the crew or give him his own arson-themed spin-off.
The biggest drama of Chicago Fire Season 11 was Taylor Kinney’s sudden indefinite leave of absence; the biggest joy of Season 12 was his long-anticipated return. But not even four episodes in, the actor’s off again, and Kelly Severide has left for yet another arson case! Fans are not happy with this development, to put it lightly.
Apart from throwing tomatoes at the showrunners, they also try to figure out what Severide's second leave in a row means for his future in Chicago Fire.
Severide’s Arson Cases Got Out Of Hand
Kelly Severide is good at arson investigations, and admittedly, that’s where both he and his actor, Taylor Kinney, truly shine. However, Chicago Fire is supposed to be a show about firefighters, and Severide is a firefighter…against his best judgment. Arson cases are great when they happen occasionally — just not all the time.
Taking Kelly away for arson investigations has grown old before it learned to talk, and this problem became especially apparent now. Severide’s second leave in a row raised many eyebrows in the audience, and most fans are displeased: they claim the OFI storylines should either become a standalone thing or disappear altogether.
Severide Can’t Keep Going Away Like This
With the overwhelming chunk of Chicago Fire viewers bored and tired of the arson cases, there are only two routes the show could take to make fans happier. The first option would be to remove the OFI plots for one reason or another, but that would go against Kelly Severide’s character: he’s eager to grow as an arson investigator.
The second option would be to give Taylor Kinney his own spin-off dedicated to arson cases. Whether that would be profitable for NBC is up in the air, but from the fan perspective, it might just work: Severide is loved by the audience, and Chicago Fire could totally use some variety, even in the form of a spin-off series with Kelly.
What’s crystal clear is that Chicago Fire can’t keep doing the same old thing with Severide, making him disappear all the time for his arson investigations. In the next season, Dick Wolf better make up his mind and either give Kelly a reason to drop his arson education or encourage him by giving Taylor Kinney his own little series.