Wait. If you’re like me, your Wednesday nights feel a little empty without the sirens of Firehouse 51 blaring through the speakers. We’ve been riding with Kelly Severide and the crew for over a decade now. It’s a habit. A ritual. So, the big question on everyone’s mind—when does the new season of Chicago Fire start—is more than just a search query; it’s a plea for our favorite TV family to come back home.
Honestly, the TV schedule has been a bit of a roller coaster lately. Between industry strikes that pushed everything back a year ago and the usual summer hiatus, it’s hard to keep track. But here is the deal: Chicago Fire is officially back for Season 13. NBC kept its word, and the show premiered on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at its usual 9/8c time slot. If you’re reading this in early 2025, we are currently in the thick of the winter midseason.
The show usually takes a breather over the holidays. You've probably noticed that December is a ghost town for new episodes. However, the second half of the season typically kicks into high gear in January 2025. NBC tends to stick to that "One Chicago" block—Med at 8, Fire at 9, and P.D. at 10. It’s a powerhouse lineup that hasn't budged because, frankly, why fix what isn't broken?
Why the Season 13 Premiere Date Mattered So Much
Usually, a fall premiere is a given. But after the chaos of the previous television season, fans were genuinely nervous. We had a shortened Season 12 that felt like a sprint. It was only 13 episodes! That’s barely enough time to get a good fire going. Season 13 marks a return to a more "normal" production cycle, which means more episodes—likely around 22—and more time for the slow-burn character development we actually tune in for.
It's weirdly comforting. Seeing that "September" date on the calendar felt like a return to normalcy. Dick Wolf’s universe is the bedrock of NBC’s schedule. Without 51, Wednesday night just feels like a long wait for Thursday.
The Massive Cast Changes Everyone is Texting About
You can't talk about when the new season starts without talking about who is actually going to be there when the doors open. Firehouse 51 is looking... different.
First off, Chief Boden is gone. Well, Eamonn Walker isn't dead, but Wallace Boden has moved up to Deputy Commissioner. It’s a huge shift. Replacing him is Dom Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney. If you haven't seen his vibe yet, it’s a total 180 from Boden. Pascal is a bit more of an enigma. He’s coming from Miami, he’s got a different leadership style, and he isn't exactly "warm and fuzzy" with the crew right out of the gate.
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Then there’s the revolving door of the younger cast.
- Lyla Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) is officially a series regular now. She’s the new paramedic partner for Violet, and her energy is chaotic in the best way.
- Sam Carver and Violet Mikami... are they? Aren't they? The tension is thick enough to cut with a Halligan bar.
- Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) is back full-time, which is a massive relief for fans who felt his absence during his leave of absence in Season 11.
It's sorta bittersweet. Seeing Chief Boden’s office occupied by someone else feels wrong, like seeing your childhood home with new curtains. But that’s the reality of a show that’s been on the air for thirteen years. People move on. Actors want new challenges. The show has to evolve or die.
Production Timelines: Behind the Scenes in Windy City
Chicago isn't just a backdrop; it’s a character. And filming in Chicago in the winter is brutal. If you’re wondering why the show takes breaks in February, it’s often because the production is literally battling the elements.
The crew typically starts filming in July. They work through the humid Chicago summers to bank episodes for the fall. By the time you’re watching the premiere in late September, they are usually filming episode six or seven. They keep this pace up until April.
If you ever find yourself in the Near West Side of Chicago, you can actually see them filming near the real Engine 18 station on Blue Island Avenue. Just don't expect to see Taylor Kinney hanging out on the sidewalk; security is tight, and the "Chicago Heat" is real—even if it's just special effects.
How to Watch and Catch Up
If you missed the start date or you’re trying to find where the show went during the midseason break, you have a few options. NBC is the home base. If you don't have cable, Peacock is the move. New episodes drop on Peacock the day after they air on NBC.
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Basically, if it airs Wednesday night, you can roll out of bed Thursday morning, grab your coffee, and stream it.
- Live Broadcast: NBC, Wednesdays at 9/8c.
- Streaming: Peacock (Premium subscription required).
- Past Seasons: Also on Peacock. If you want to relive the Shay years (never forget), they have the entire archive.
Why We Still Care After 13 Years
Thirteen years. That is a long time to stay interested in people putting out fires. So, why are we still googling "when does the new season of Chicago Fire start"?
It’s the "found family" trope. It works every time. We’ve seen Casey and Dawson break our hearts. We’ve seen Mouch almost die more times than we can count. We’ve watched Herrmann deal with the struggles of being a small business owner at Molly’s.
The show doesn't try to be prestige television like The Bear or some gritty HBO drama. It’s a procedural. It’s "comfort food" TV. You know that no matter how big the explosion is in the first ten minutes, the crew will likely be sitting around the common room table by the end of the hour, making fun of Cruz.
There’s a reliability to it. In a world where everything feels unpredictable, knowing that Firehouse 51 is there at 9 PM on a Wednesday is a small, consistent joy.
What’s Next for Season 13?
Looking ahead into the rest of 2025, the storylines are pivoting toward the "new guard." We are seeing more focus on the younger firefighters like Ritter and Gallo (before he left) and now Novak.
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The big arc for this season is definitely the friction between the old-school 51 culture and the new leadership under Pascal. There’s also the looming question of the "Benny Severide" legacy. Kelly is still grappling with his father’s ghost, especially as he considers his own future and the possibility of starting a family with Stella Kidd.
Also, expect crossovers. While the "massive" three-show crossovers have been rarer lately due to budget and scheduling, the characters still pop up in each other's shows. A "One Chicago" event is rumored for later this spring, likely around the season finale in May.
Steps to Take Now
To make sure you don't miss a single episode as the season progresses, here is what you need to do:
- Sync your DVR: Double-check that your "Series Recording" is set to "New Episodes Only." Sometimes the system glitches when the show returns from a winter break.
- Peacock Notifications: Turn on push notifications for the Peacock app. They are surprisingly good at letting you know exactly when the new episode is ready to stream.
- The "One Chicago" Socials: Follow the official Instagram or X (Twitter) accounts. They often post "Inside the Episode" clips that explain the stunts, which are honestly sometimes cooler than the episode itself.
- Check the Local Schedule: If there’s a major news event or a sports conflict, NBC might bump the show by a week. Always check the local listings on Wednesday afternoon if you're planning a watch party.
The fire is still burning at 51. Even with the faces changing and the years stacking up, the heart of the show remains. Whether you're in it for the action or the "Stellaride" romance, Season 13 is proving to be a pivotal chapter in the Chicago legacy.
Next Steps for Fans
The best way to stay ahead is to monitor the NBC midseason press releases. These usually come out in batches and will confirm the exact return dates for the spring episodes and the highly anticipated season finale date, which typically lands in mid-to-late May. Keeping an eye on the production status in Chicago local news can also give you a "spoiler-free" heads-up on when big outdoor stunt sequences are being filmed.