What Happened to Kelly Severide on Chicago Fire? Why is He Not on Chicago Fire?
by Rubaditsha
Updated May 22, 2023
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire is a popular American drama TV series that was created by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, with executive producer Dick Wolf. It serves as the flagship installment of Wolf Entertainment's Chicago franchise, which focuses on various public services in Chicago, Illinois. The series revolves around the lives of firefighters, rescue personnel, and paramedics who work at the fictional Firehouse 51, which is part of the Chicago Fire Department.
The show first premiered on NBC on October 10, 2012, and as of May 5, 2023, it has aired a total of 236 episodes. In February 2020, the series was renewed for its ninth, tenth, and eleventh seasons, showcasing its continued popularity. The tenth season premiered on September 22, 2021, followed by the eleventh season premiere on September 21, 2022. In April 2023, exciting news came as the series was renewed for a twelfth season, demonstrating its enduring appeal to viewers.
The main focus of Chicago Fire is to delve into the personal and professional lives of the dedicated firefighters, rescue personnel, and paramedics stationed at Firehouse 51. This fictional firehouse is home to Engine Company 51, Truck Company 81, Rescue Squad Company 3, Battalion 25, and Ambulance 61. The characters face various challenges and emergencies as they bravely serve the community, and the show highlights their heroic efforts.
Leading the team at Firehouse 51 is the determined and respected Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden, who serves as a role model and mentor to his colleagues. The series explores the dynamics within the firehouse, the bonds between the characters, and the sacrifices they make in their personal lives while fulfilling their duties as first responders.
Chicago Fire has gained a loyal fan base over the years due to its compelling storytelling, intense action sequences, and relatable characters. It offers a glimpse into the demanding and often dangerous world of firefighting and emergency response, while also delving into the personal struggles and triumphs of the characters. With its renewal for a twelfth season, fans can continue to expect captivating storylines and the heroic endeavors of the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51.
What Happened to Kelly Severide on Chicago Fire?
Taylor Kinney, known for his portrayal of Kelly Severide on Chicago Fire, took a leave of absence from the show in January 2023 to address personal matters. Deadline, our sister publication, reported this news, stating that the cast and crew were informed about Kinney's departure on January 20, 2023. Future scripts were adjusted to accommodate his absence.
Kinney's final episode on Chicago Fire was in Season 11, Episode 15, leaving fans eager for an update on Severide's status. However, it wasn't until May 2, 2023, when our sister site Variety reported that Taylor Kinney would not be returning as Kelly Severide in Season 11, without providing any explanation for his absence.
Fortunately, NBC renewed Chicago Fire, along with its sister shows Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, for the 2023-2024 season. This means there will be a Season 12 where fans hope to see the return of Kelly Severide. The season is scheduled to premiere in the fall, but the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike could potentially delay the timeline depending on its duration.
On Chicago Fire, the writers addressed Severide's exit by sending his character to participate in "arson training." In Season 11, Episode 15, titled "Damage Control," Tom Van Meter informs Chief Wallace Boden that Severide has left Chicago to train at the world's top arson investigation program. Van Meter explains that the opportunity was too significant for Severide to turn down, and due to the last-minute nature of his departure, Severide couldn't inform Boden himself.
Although Boden is disappointed, he recognizes that Severide's arson training will be beneficial for Firehouse 51. Further information about Severide's whereabouts is revealed in Season 11, Episode 21, titled "Change of Plans." Cruz learns that Severide is no longer in Alabama for the arson investigation program.
It is discovered that Severide made a significant impression and is now involved in an ATF investigation at an undisclosed location. Cruz shares this news with Severide's wife, Stella Kidd, who expresses surprise at not being informed about his change of plans. Cruz tries to retract his statement, attributing it to gossip at the academy, and apologizes for bringing it up. This turn of events raises questions about why Severide didn't inform his wife about his new plans, leading to speculation about a potential breakup between the couple.
Although Kelly Severide won't be present in the Season 11 finale, fans can look forward to seeing Jesse Spencer, who portrays firefighter Matthew Casey, in a guest appearance. Variety reported that Spencer returned to the show in the April 5, 2023, episode, "Danger Is All Around," leaving the door open for his character to potentially return in the future.
In an interview with Deadline in April 2022, when asked about the possibility of returning full-time, Spencer expressed openness to the idea but mentioned that the decision was not entirely up to him. In 2023, Jesse Spencer left Chicago Fire on a full-time basis after Season 10.
Why is Kelly Not on Chicago Fire?
Kelly Severide, portrayed by Taylor Kinney, is not currently appearing on Chicago Fire due to Taylor Kinney taking a leave of absence from the show to address personal matters. This information was reported by Deadline, a publication affiliated with the source. The cast and crew were informed of Kinney's leave on January 20, 2023, and subsequent scripts were adjusted to accommodate his absence from the series. His last episode on Chicago Fire was in Season 11, Episode 15.
While the exact reasons for Taylor Kinney's absence from the show have not been disclosed, it is known that he decided to take a temporary break to deal with personal matters. There has been no official explanation provided as to why he will not be returning for the remainder of Season 11.
However, fans can find solace in the fact that Chicago Fire, along with its sister shows Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, has been renewed for the 2023-2024 season. This renewal raises hopes that Kelly Severide will make a return in Season 12, which is scheduled to premiere in the fall. It should be noted, though, that the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike may impact the timeline of the season depending on its duration.
In terms of the show's storyline, Kelly Severide's absence has been addressed on Chicago Fire. The writers decided to send his character off for "arson training" in Season 11, Episode 15, as explained by the character Tom Van Meter. According to Van Meter, Severide left Chicago to participate in the world's top arson investigation training program, an opportunity that was too significant for him to pass up.
While Chief Wallace Boden expressed disappointment at not being informed directly by Severide, he acknowledged the potential benefits of Severide's arson training for Firehouse 51. Additional information about Severide's whereabouts was revealed in Season 11, Episode 21. Cruz learned that Severide is no longer in Alabama for the arson investigation program but is now involved in an ATF investigation at an undisclosed location.
The surprising aspect of this development is that even Severide's wife, Stella Kidd, was not informed about his change of plans, suggesting a lack of communication between them. This has raised speculation about the possibility of a breakup between the couple.
Taylor Kinney's absence from Chicago Fire is due to his temporary leave of absence to attend to personal matters. While the exact reasons for his absence have not been disclosed, it is hoped that Kelly Severide will return in Season 12. The show's writers addressed Severide's absence by sending his character for "arson training," and subsequent episodes have hinted at his involvement in an ATF investigation.
Is Kelly Coming Back to Chicago Fire?
There has been no official confirmation regarding Taylor Kinney's return to Chicago Fire as Kelly Severide. Taylor Kinney took a leave of absence from the show to deal with personal matters, and while the specific reasons have not been disclosed, it was reported that he would not be returning for the remainder of Season 11.
However, fans can remain hopeful for Kelly Severide's comeback in the future. Chicago Fire, along with its sister shows Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, has been renewed for the 2023-2024 season. This renewal suggests that there will be a Season 12 of Chicago Fire where Kelly Severide could potentially return.
It's important to note that the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike may impact the timeline of Season 12, depending on its duration. The strike could potentially delay the premiere of the new season, but it does not necessarily indicate that Kelly Severide won't be returning.
At this point, fans will have to wait for official announcements or updates from the show's producers or network to get a clear confirmation about Kelly Severide's return to Chicago Fire. Until then, his future on the show remains uncertain.
Is Kelly Severide Leaving Chicago Fire 2023?
Since its debut over a decade ago, Chicago Fire has captivated viewers with its portrayal of the lives of firefighters at Firehouse 51. With characters and actors becoming beloved staples of the show, any departures can cause concern among fans. One such departure occurred when Lieutenant Matthew Casey, portrayed by Jesse Spencer, left after 200 episodes in Season 10, leading to speculation about the fate of other pivotal characters.
As Season 11 of Chicago Fire continues to air, fans are curious about the status of Lieutenant Kelly Severide, played by Taylor Kinney. In January, Taylor took a leave of absence from the show to address a personal matter, as reported by Variety. This resulted in Severide's character going on "arson investigation training" and being absent from recent episodes. However, as the season finale approaches, fans are still eagerly awaiting Severide's return.
While the future of the character remains uncertain, we delved into whether Taylor Kinney has plans to come back to Chicago Fire in the near future. Currently, there is no official confirmation about Taylor's return. Deadline reported that Severide, and consequently Taylor, will not be featured in the Season 11 finale on May 24. However, NBC has hinted at a comeback for another beloved character, Jesse Spencer's Matthew Casey, who will reprise his role after leaving the show in October 2021.
Little information is available about Casey's return to Firehouse 51. NBC Insider speculates that his storyline may involve his ex-girlfriend Brett (Kara Killmer), whom he deceived about being in a relationship. The theory suggests that Casey might want to return to Chicago, especially since there is a need for someone to fill Severide's role temporarily.
Jesse Spencer himself seems open to the idea, discussing a potential storyline involving Casey's return and the possibility of reigniting his relationship with Brett. While nothing is certain at this point, Jesse mentions that the future will determine whether Casey can move back to Firehouse 51 and continue his journey with Brett.
As for Taylor Kinney's return to Chicago Fire, there is a glimmer of hope. Although he is not currently appearing on the show, there has been no official confirmation of his departure either. Moreover, Taylor seems to be doing well in his personal life, attending events alongside his girlfriend Ashley Cruger in April. Until definitive information is released, fans will remain hopeful for Taylor's return to Chicago Fire whenever he feels ready to make a comeback.
Where is Kelly Severide in Chicago Fire?
Chicago Fire has provided an update on the character Kelly Severide, played by actor Taylor Kinney, as Kinney's leave of absence from the show continues.
Since March, Lieutenant Severide has been absent from the series due to Kinney taking a break to deal with a personal matter, the details of which have not been disclosed. In the episode titled "Damage Control," Severide did not make an appearance as Kinney had already left before filming began. However, it was revealed to viewers that the character had left Chicago to attend an esteemed arson investigation training program.
In the most recent episode, titled "Change Of Plans," Joe Cruz discovers that Severide is no longer in Alabama and has been assigned to work on a significant alcohol, tobacco, and firearms (ATF) criminal investigation after impressing his superiors. Interestingly, Severide had not informed his wife Stella Kidd about this development, and Cruz accidentally reveals the news during a visit to Molly's bar.
While Severide will not be appearing in the season 11 finale, scheduled to air on May 24, Jesse Spencer will reprise his role as Matthew Casey, who returned to the show following his exit in 2021. The episode will see Lieutenant Kidd uncovering a new lead in the Homeland Security case.
Spencer, discussing his departure from the show, mentioned that he is open to making occasional returns for cameos in the future but clarified that it would not be a long-term occurrence.
"I never say never. When I left the show, I talked to [co-showrunner] Derek [Haas] and everybody and said: 'Listen, if it makes sense to bring me in for a storyline that you think would be appropriate for Casey to come in for, I'm happy to pop in for an episode.' But in terms of long-term or something, I don't think so." Chicago Fire, along with its sister shows Chicago PD and Chicago Med, airs on NBC and Peacock in the US and on Sky Witness in the UK.
What Happened To Kelly Severide On Chicago Fire:FAQs
Taylor Kinney, the actor who portrays Kelly Severide, is currently on a leave of absence from the show to deal with a personal matter.
Taylor Kinney's leave of absence from Chicago Fire began in March/
In the episode "Damage Control," it was revealed that Kelly Severide left Chicago to attend an arson investigation training program. In a later episode, it was discovered that he is now working on a major ATF criminal investigation.
There is currently no word on whether Kelly Severide will be returning to the show. He will not be appearing in the season 11 finale.