Chicago Fire Boss Talks ‘Freaking Out The Neighbors’ Filming The Crossover And Why One Character Is Missing It

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The highly anticipated crossover episode of One Chicago is almost upon us as per the 2025 TV lineup, with the plotline on January 29 being so grandiose that a star predicts fans will be “completely thrilled” when they watch it. Chicago Fire will take the lead before Chicago Med in an unusual scheduling change for this special event, and showrunner Andrea Newman has shared some insights into the local Chicago community’s reactions to filming and why a certain character won’t be present.

The upcoming “In the Trenches” trilogy will bring together firefighters, paramedics, and police officers in an unprecedented collaboration as they respond to a gas explosion and subsequent fire at a government building. To complicate matters further, a subway tunnel collapse adds distress for Kidd and Ruzek who are underground. As hinted in the promo, it seems that the head of Med was taken aback by the situation. There’s also suspicion that foul play might be involved, necessitating the expertise of One Chicago’s Crime Drama’s Intelligence Unit.

I had the good fortune to have a conversation with each of the “In the Trenches” showrunners beforehand, and Andrea Newman from “Fire” characterized it as being “taken to the next level.” Specifically, she stated:

This one is extraordinarily impressive, marking a significant leap from our previous projects. It’s bursting with intricate details, featuring collapsing passages and buildings, not to mention fire geysers erupting as high as three or four stories. The character interactions are also a major highlight, offering a fresh perspective around every corner, with diverse couples, relationships, and unique blends of characters drawn from various shows. Simply put, it’s the complete package.

According to the producer of Fire, while the upcoming crossover event promises plenty of excitement, there was some uncertainty regarding the participation of one character following last week’s episode conclusion – specifically, Cruz, given his suspension. The showrunner has now confirmed my suspicion by stating that indeed, Cruz will not be present for the crossover. However, this does not imply a lack of characters as she added: the event will still feature an abundance of personalities. You can catch last week’s episode streaming with a Peacock subscription at this time.

He’s alone now, as everyone else is still around. Each episode influences the others significantly, but the crossover seems to have a major effect on all characters. Furthermore, this installment focuses on three key relationships – Severide and Kidd, Ruzek and Burgess, and Mouch and Trudy. We delve deeper into these connections, exploring the hurdles that this event presents for them. Writing these character-centric scenes was an enjoyable experience for us.

Could it be that the prolonged smooth sailing of the Stellaride has become a bit too ideal, making an eventual mishap almost inevitable? With Patrick John Flueger’s recent comments on Burzek following the P.D. showrunner’s remarks, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for their well-being. Considering Trudy’s appearance in the promo, it seems we should be particularly concerned about her and Mouch’s situation!

Andrea Newman revealed that despite not being present during the filming of the three-part series, she consistently received updates about its grandeur.

Instead of being physically present on the set, Victor Teran, who penned the episode, took charge. He would share footage with us as he captured some of the filming’s remarkable scenes, particularly the firefighters shooting water three stories high. We would huddle together and express our awe with “oohs” and “ahs.” It was as if we were there ourselves. I can confirm it was chilly, and Chicago is notorious for that. [laughs] The set was ablaze with flames, making the experience thrilling.

In at least one aspect, filming didn’t vary in the Windy City: it was freezing cold! However, it seemed like Chicago Fire took things a step further with their portrayal of flames. I must say, their stunts always seem top-notch and cinematic to me. Interestingly, Newman mentioned that this time around, the neighbors were concerned due to how cinematic the scenes appeared.

Absolutely on board! For our action sequences, we’ve got Rick LeFevour, a movie aficionado handling stunts, and his team is nothing short of phenomenal. They’re ready for anything. I’m astounded by the things they leap from and into. [laughs] It’s truly impressive. And just as remarkable are Rick and his team, as well as our special effects crew during production. What’s remarkable is that it’s all done in real life, as they say, which means we don’t add anything in post-production. That fire you saw really did reach those heights and made the neighbors a bit uneasy. [laughs]

Over the years, I’ve consistently admired the realistic action in “Chicago Fire“, from Taylor Kinney’s death-defying aerial feats to the frequent blazes. Previously, co-showrunner Derek Haas expressed disappointment that the show has never been acknowledged by the Emmys for its exceptional stuntwork. When I shared my appreciation for the practical effects, Andrea Newman responded in this manner:

It brings us immense joy to learn you feel this way, as authenticity has always been a cornerstone of our production. We pride ourselves on ensuring that the stunts and fires displayed are genuine, without relying on computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Fortunately, the long wait for “In the Trenches” and the disturbing fires that caused a stir in Chicago is almost done. The first three-part One Chicago crossover since 2019 commences on Wednesday, January 29. First, catch “Fire” at 8 p.m. ET, followed by “Med” at 9 p.m. ET, and concluding with “P.D.” at 10 p.m. ET. Additionally, you can revisit earlier crossovers on Peacock.

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2025-01-29 03:37