After 14 Years, This Highly-Rated Procedural That Launched A Franchise Could Still Be Better

Chicago Fire is already in its 14th season, but the show still has untapped potential. The project centers on firefighters and paramedics rather than surgeons or cops, which set itself apart from other series and skyrocketed it to fame, laying the groundwork for what would become the One Chicago franchise.

Debuting in 2012, it immediately captured audiences who were eager for a fresh take on first responders. By focusing on high-stakes dispatches and the complicated personal lives of the firefighters and paramedics, Chicago Fire was the perfect balance between action and emotional narratives. But more than a decade later during the 2025-2026 TV cycle, what first made it thrive may now be what's holding it back.

Chicago Fire Launched Dick Wolf's One Chicago Franchise

Chicago Fire was the first series in the One Chicago franchise, subsequently setting the stage for two spinoffs: Chicago P.D. in 2014 and Chicago Med in 2015. Viewers were drawn to the world of firefighters, where they had a front-row seat to the dangerous action and romantic affairs.

The series premiered with a strong principal cast, with Jesse Spencer as captain Mathew Casey and Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide. It followed the lives of the firefighters and paramedics from Firehouse 51, taking audiences along for emergency dispatches while also providing a glimpse into their drama-filled personal lives.

This was one of the first shows to center on the lives of firefighters, after years of television focusing on doctors and law enforcement. It was a fresh change, and it certainly worked in its favor, solidifying it as one of the best shows about firefighters of all time.

Chicago Fire was also proof that these gritty, action-filled series could work in the city. Up until then, similar types of shows were primarily set in cities like New York, Los Angeles, or even Miami. Its success was a Midwest miracle, and it's now become one of the best shows set in Chicago.

After 14 years, the series is still successful largely because it prioritizes keeping the storylines and dynamics realistic. The characters are presented as real people with real problems. They're imperfect, and their mistakes have consequences, just like everybody in the real world. Some of Chicago Fire's best storylines are the ones that feel most authentic, which allows the audience to resonate more with what's on-screen. Plus, the iconic One Chicago crossovers certainly never hurt.

Why Chicago Fire Has Been Struggling The Last Several Years

Even though Chicago Fire continues to be successful, it still has some struggles in its 14th season. There have been a lot of overused storylines in recent years, which tend to revolve around relationship struggles and secret romances within the firehouse.

When things get too messy, an intense action scene ensues that manages to bring the characters back together. It seems as though the show follows a certain formula. While it certainly worked in the earlier seasons, it's been used so much that the story starts to get predictable, even during some moments intended to shock the audience.

The high-stakes action felt intentional when the show began, but its impact is starting to dwindle. There were emotional stakes at each dispatch, and everything felt intense. If the first responders weren't able to rescue a victim, they were affected emotionally and faced long-term consequences. Now, the purpose of these scenes feels more like grabbing the audience's attention than emotionally resonating with them.

There have also been some cast changes that shook the foundation of Chicago Fire. It was recently announced that Dermot Mulroney is taking a leave of absence from Chicago Fire, meaning the Battalion Chief will be stepping away from the firehouse, and it's unknown if he'll return. Both Carver and Ritter also exited the series, leaving a hole in the character dynamics.

In an attempt to fix this, the show added Vasquez, but his entrance was a bit rocky. Maybe the character needs time to find his footing, but it seems there's no plan for his purpose.

How NBC Can Revive Chicago Fire In Season 14

With Chicago Fire season 14 only halfway done, there's still time for it to improve. A great way to start would be to switch up the same predictable formula, granted there have been some exceptions. This may mean killing off some of the principal characters — something that it hasn't done in a few years. Granted that it would be devastating to lose anyone from Firehouse 51 at this point, if it meant making the series sustainable long term, then it's a difficult choice that NBC and Wolf Entertainment must make.

Audiences are used to the first responders being in life-or-death situations and then making it out just fine. Admittedly, there may be some backlash, but it will get people to re-engage with the series. While fans love the procedural, as many of them are invested in its long-term characters, Chicago Fire can't continue subjecting them to the same experiences over and over. Violet Mikami's personal arc is a good example of this, specifically in the romantic department.

Chicago Fire should also test out new storylines and character arcs. They've been building these characters for the past 14 years, and they've become nuanced enough to explore different parts of them that viewers have yet to see. These are complex characters who are certainly dealing with trauma, and we should see more of that, both in and out of the firehouse.

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.

SIGN UP NOW!