Chicago Fire Executive Producer Talks ‘Heartache’ Following Severide’s Fall Finale Cliffhanger, And I’m Worried About One Character In Particular

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Fans of Chicago Fire won’t have to wait much longer for new episodes! The show returns to NBC in 2026 after a break since last fall’s dramatic season finale, which left Severide’s fate uncertain. While cliffhangers are common for Severide, producer Reza Tabrizi has hinted that the upcoming heartache will likely involve someone else, which is causing concern among viewers.

The new season of the show starts January 7th, and you can watch it on Peacock. The premiere episode, titled “A Man Possessed,” continues the story from last season’s finale. According to NBC, someone connected to Firehouse 51 will be affected by a fire, leading Severide to investigate who is responsible. This suggests Severide will be well enough to continue his arson investigation.

The mid-season finale left viewers with a cliffhanger: Van Meter, a school principal named Mr. Cole, and our hero were trapped in an apartment building set ablaze by a masked arsonist. According to Reza Tabrizi, who also directed the first episode back after the break, the show will kick off 2026 with a lot of action.

The fall finale was great because it ended with multiple cliffhangers, giving each storyline its own moment of suspense. Usually, we focus on one big cliffhanger at the end, but this time there’s a lot to unpack and explore. These unresolved questions and developing relationships will create drama and challenges as the story continues. I’m excited to follow these threads when the show returns, and while some mysteries will be solved, others might remain unanswered, setting up a strong start for the winter premiere.

The show Chicago Fire left viewers wondering about the future of Engine 51 at the end of 2025, as Mouch’s rig faced potential budget cuts. While that issue remains in 2026, I’m more worried about Van Meter. Of the three people caught in the fire, he’s the only one fans are invested in, but unlike Kelly Severide, he doesn’t have a history of miraculously surviving dangerous situations.

Over the years, viewers have really gotten to know Firehouse 51’s Severide, especially as he took on more responsibility investigating fires. I, for one, would be really upset if something bad happened to him. When I asked the show’s executive producer and director how concerned fans should be about the characters caught up in the arson case, he told me:

It’s always compelling to watch a skilled firefighter like Severide face a tough challenge. He consistently finds himself in tricky situations and has to cleverly solve them. This time, the added complexity of having Van Meter and a civilian, Mr. Cole, involved – someone without the necessary training or equipment – makes things even more difficult. Ultimately, the situation leaves us feeling worried and concerned for a couple of characters we care about.

Mr. Cole is unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Although the season finale showed he isn’t a great principal, Severide and Van Meter wouldn’t leave anyone in a burning building, and that could put them in even more danger. When I pointed out to the executive producer that Severide often finds himself in life-threatening situations, even while working with the Office of Fire Investigation, Reza Tabrizi explained:

Over time, he’s developed a strong relationship with Van Meter, which will play a role in how they face the immediate threat they’re dealing with.

Despite the danger, Chicago Fire usually avoids permanently killing off its main characters. As the show returns after its break, fans are also wondering if Stella will be back before the episode ends. Even if Severide faces a setback, his relationship with Stella has been strong throughout the season. You can get a sneak peek at the first episode of 2026 with the new promo.

Don’t miss the winter premiere of Chicago Fire on NBC, Wednesday, January 7th at 9 p.m. Eastern. It’s part of a powerful night of Chicago dramas, following Chicago Med at 8 p.m. Eastern – where a major cliffhanger will be resolved – and leading into Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. Eastern. If you miss it on TV, you can stream all the winter premieres on Peacock starting Thursday.

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2026-01-07 07:39