Chicago Fire (TV series)
Chicago Fire is an American procedural drama television series created by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, with Dick Wolf as an executive producer. It is the first installment of Wolf Entertainment's Chicago franchise, which deals with different public services in Chicago, Illinois.[1] The show follows the professional and personal lives of firefighters, rescue personnel, and paramedics of the Chicago Fire Department at the fictional Firehouse 51. The series premiered on NBC on October 10, 2012. As of March 27, 2024, the series has aired 247 episodes. In April 2023, the series was renewed for a twelfth season,[2] which premiered on January 17, 2024.[3] In March 2024, the series was renewed for a thirteenth season.[4]
This article is about the fictional NBC TV series. For the current season, see Chicago Fire season 12. For the MLS team, see Chicago Fire FC. For the real-life fire service, see Chicago Fire Department. For the deadly 1871 fire, see Great Chicago Fire.Chicago Fire
- Derek Haas
- Matt Olmstead
- Michael Brandt
- Dick Wolf
- Andrea Newman
United States
English
12
248 (list of episodes)
- Dick Wolf
- Matt Olmstead
- Danielle Gelber
- Michael Brandt
- Derek Haas
- Joe Chappelle
- Arthur W. Forney
- Peter Jankowski
- Todd Arnow
- Andrea Newman
- Michael Gilvary
- Reza Tabrizi
- John L. Roman
- Todd Arnow
- Tim Deluca
- Hilly Hicks Jr.
- Carla Corwin
- Michael Gilvary
1360 South Blue Island Avenue at Maxwell Street, and Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, Chicago, Illinois
40–44 minutes
- Wolf Entertainment
- Open 4 Business Productions
- Universal Television
October 10, 2012
present
Plot[edit]
The show explores the professional and personal lives of the firefighters, rescue personnel, and paramedics of the Chicago Fire Department at the fictional Firehouse 51, home of the fictional Engine Company 51, Truck Company 81, Rescue Squad Company 3, Battalion 25, and Ambulance 61.
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
The series pilot, co-written by creators Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, was filmed in Chicago and, according to an NBC representative, the series would continue to be filmed there.[47] Producer John L. Roman was involved from the beginning having worked with the Chicago Fire Department and Deputy District Chief Steve "Chik" Chikerotis on Backdraft.[48] Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel made an appearance in the series' pilot episode. Emanuel stated: "It's easier being mayor than playing mayor. I told them I'd do it under one condition: the TV show is making an investment to the Firefighters' Widows and Orphans Fund."[49]
The title "Chicago Fire" sparked some confusion in the show's first season due to it duplicating the name of a local professional soccer team, the Chicago Fire Soccer Club (later renamed Chicago Fire FC). Actor Taylor Kinney has said "If you (say) 'We're working on Chicago Fire,' they ask you if you're a soccer player."[50] Producer Dick Wolf hoped that fans of the team might watch the show.[50] The Chicago Fire sports team accepted the shared name and showed the series premiere on October 2, 2012, at Toyota Park after a game with the Philadelphia Union.[51]
The network placed an order for the series in May 2012.[52] After receiving an additional script order in October, Chicago Fire was picked up for a full season on November 8, 2012.[53][54] On January 29, 2013, Chicago Fire had its episode total increased from 22 to 23.[55] One week later, on February 6, 2013, Chicago Fire received one more episode, giving it a total of 24 episodes for season one.[56] The pilot episode had an early release at NBC.com, before the series' premiere on television.[57]
On November 9, 2015, NBC renewed the series for a fifth season.[58][59] The season premiered on October 11, 2016.[60]
On May 9, 2018, NBC renewed the series for a seventh season,[61] which premiered on September 26, 2018.[62] On February 26, 2019, NBC renewed the series for an eighth season,[63] which premiered on September 25, 2019.[64] In February 2020, the series was renewed for its ninth, tenth, and eleventh season.[65] The tenth season premiered on September 22, 2021.[66] The eleventh season premiered on September 21, 2022.[67] On April 10, 2023, NBC renewed the series for a twelfth season,[2] which premiered on January 17, 2024.[3] On March 21, 2024, NBC renewed the series for a thirteenth season.[4]
Filming[edit]
The building used in the show for the firehouse exteriors is a working Chicago Fire Department firehouse, and is the headquarters of Engine 18, located at 1360 South Blue Island Avenue at Maxwell Street, between 13th & Racine. Housed here is ALS Engine 18, 2–2–1 (Deputy District Chief – 1st District), 2–1–21 (1st District Chief), 6–4–16 (High-Rise Response Unit), and ALS Ambulance 65. The interiors of Firehouse 51 are filmed at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. The station house used for exteriors in Chicago PD is just a few blocks away at 949 West Maxwell Street at Morgan Street (interiors likewise filmed at Cinespace).
Chicago artist and retired firefighter Lee J. Kowalski's oil paintings of fire scenes can be spotted in several episodes.
Molly's, a small bar owned by Herrmann, Dawson and Mouch, was filmed at Lotties in Bucktown.[68][69] Filming no longer takes place on location to avoid disrupting business. Instead, the interior and exterior surroundings were recreated at Cinespace.[70]
In November 2012, WGN-TV reported a plane crash at 29th and Martin Luther King Drive on their morning newscast and showed live footage for a few minutes before realizing it was merely a set piece staged for Chicago Fire and not an actual emergency situation.[71]
On March 13, 2020, Universal Television shut down production on the series due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[72]
Production on the series was temporarily halted on September 14, 2022, after a shooting occurred near the set.[73]