Is Severide Coming Back in Chicago Fire Season 12 or Is He Gone for Good?
The recent announcement that Chicago Fire was picked up for a 12th season has been oddly timed with the drama surrounding one of its lead stars - Taylor Kinney.
The 41-year-old actor, who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide in Chicago Fire, recently confirmed that he’s taking a hiatus from the show.
Of course, these rumors are reinforced by what has actually transpired on Chicago Fire, in which the character has been temporarily written off the show. In the TV series, it’s revealed that Severide is taking a leave of absence while he attends an out-of-town training program. However, the issue with the on-screen drama is that it oddly seems to mirror real life.
According to insiders, the recent confirmation that Chicago Fire will return for season 12 still leaves many things in question. For starters, does this mean Severide will reunite with fellow cast members in season 12, or does this represent his ultimate demise?
Furthermore, what does the recent news that NBC is seeking to limit the budget for season 12 indicate for other cast members?
Despite the good news that Chicago Fire has been renewed for a 12th season, it’s also complicated by the budget of the TV show, which has reportedly been drastically reduced. For this reason, many speculate that Chicago Fire will attempt to limit the screen time of its main stars during season 12, in order to conserve funds. If this is the case, it’s clear that it doesn’t bode well for Taylor Kinney.
According to sources, the plan is to limit appearances for cast members anticipating season 12 of Chicago Fire. As a result, some cast members may not appear in every single of the slated 18-20 episodes planned. Thus, it’s difficult to determine precisely how this will impact the cast and crew.
However, what is known is that Kinney does not appear pleased with the situation. He’s more or less pulled a Kevin Costner by sabotaging his own show and holding it hostage.
Whether or not the ploy is effective, remains to be determined. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to imagine Chicago Fire thriving in the future without Severide.
There is no doubt that the writers were crafty in writing off Severide with the possibility that the character would return to Firehouse 51, or be done for good.
For now, fans will be left lingering for answers, which may, perhaps, become apparent by the season 11 finale. Then, if Severride still hasn’t returned to Chicago Fire, his future on the series may look even more uncertain.