The #OneChicago universe is known for its revolving door of characters. But according to NBCUniversal Entertainment’s president of program planning strategy, Jeff Bader, fans have little to worry about.
Unphased By The Turnover
Bader stated,
Cast comes in, cast goes out
. He shared these thoughts with TVLine on July 1, underlining his stance on the frequent cast changes across One Chicago shows like Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med.
A History of Cast Changes
Bader explained that fans’ concerns are nothing new. Since the debut of Chicago Fire in 2012, followed by Chicago P.D. in 2014 and Chicago Med in 2015, character exits have been part of the show’s dynamics.
Main Characters Departing
Last year saw significant departures: Kara Killmer bid farewell to her role as Sylvie Brett on Chicago Fire after ten seasons. Alberto Rosende, who played Blake Gallo for four seasons, also exited the series early during season 12. Eamonn Walker, a staple since season one as Wallace Boden, ended his regular run in May’s finale. According to showrunner Andrea Newman,
Eamonn is the most big-hearted, passionate, hard-working and dedicated actor (and human) I know…
Changes Across the Franchise
Other shows in the franchise experienced similar changes. Tracy Spiridakos left her role as Hailey Upton on Chicago P.D., and Dominic Rains’s departure as Dr. Crockett Marcel was hinted at during Chicago Med’s season 9 finale and later confirmed in June.
The Show Goes On
Bader emphasized that despite these shakeups, the shows continue to thrive. “We’re thrilled with how the Chicagos do on Wednesday,” he commented, highlighting the franchise’s strong performance.
Fresh faces like Luke Mitchell joined Chicago Med, while Sophia Ali started her residency as Dr. Zola Ahmad mid-season last year. These new additions keep the series feeling fresh for viewers.
A Bright Future Ahead
Bader’s reassurance will likely resonate with fans who might be wary of change. The success and enduring popularity of the #OneChicago series indicate a promising future with continuous storytelling depth.
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