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The broadcast networks have undergone significant changes in recent years, shifting heavily toward unscripted and sports programming.

CBS has been one of the few exceptions — until now.

While ABC, NBC, Fox, and The CW have slashed their scripted lineups, CBS has remained relatively steady.

(Erik Voake/CBS)

The network recently renewed 12 scripted shows and continued expanding franchises like NCIS and FBI.

That gave fans some comfort — even with controversial cancellations like The Equalizer, FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, and S.W.A.T.

(Colin Bentley/CBS)

But all of that is now in question.

With the Skydance-Paramount merger looming, CBS is facing grave uncertainty.

CBS Has Some Big Decisions to Make

For months, insiders have speculated that CBS would eventually follow the lead of other networks and scale back scripted programming. Now, it’s not just speculation — it’s beginning to happen.

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Let’s get this out of the way: your favorite show probably didn’t get canceled because of “low ratings.”

That’s the excuse studios love to toss around, but it’s not the truth and hasn’t been for a long time.

In reality, shows are getting axed for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with whether audiences are actually watching.

(Mark Schafer/CBS)

Ownership issues, licensing costs, syndication value, streaming complications, expired cast contracts, tax write-offs, even internal reshuffling.

A show can have a loyal fanbase, solid numbers, and critical acclaim, and still get pulled because it doesn’t “make sense on the spreadsheet.”

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Want proof?...

The One Chicago franchise, comprising three on-air shows, is one of the strongest franchises on television.

One Chicago Wednesday is one of the most entertaining programming blocks, featuring Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D., which take viewers through a range of emotions and feelings.

More than a decade in, the shows consistently deliver stellar ratings, making renewals a no-brainer.

(Lori Allen/NBC)

The upcoming broadcast season will feature fresh seasons of all three shows.

Few people engage with the franchise in a deeper manner than the TV Fanatic staff. If you read our opinions, you’ll see that we’re always ready to critique everything about the three shows, offering both love and disappointment, depending on the focus.

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For decades, Dick Wolf has been the undisputed king of network television.

From Law & Order to One Chicago to FBI, his shows have defined procedural drama — and his name alone could greenlight a series.

But lately, there’s been a shift.

(Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

In just the last few months, CBS pulled the plug on FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted after previously renewing the entire franchise early — a rare move that signaled confidence.

Meanwhile, Prime Video’s On Call, one of Wolf’s first streaming ventures, quietly came and went without much fanfare before also getting the axe.

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Three cancellations in rapid succession don’t scream business as usual for...

TV fans can be aggressive. I get that. As a true fan of the medium since the late ’60s, I understand it better than most.

If you jog over to TV Fanatic every time someone disparages your favorite show because you want to jump into the discussion, you’re my people.

If you jog over to TV Fanatic every time someone dares criticize your favorite show because you want to slam the site or our writers? You’re not.

And not only are you not my people — you’re not a true TV fan.

(Carissa’s Corner)

TV Fanatic has been fan-forward since I took over in 2014.

You may have noticed we don’t cover much of what we don’t enjoy. That’s not because we’re afraid to be critical — it’s because we’re fans first. We don’t want to spend our free time watching shows...

Do networks and series realize that characters matter?

Sure, you tune into a series if the premise is interesting or the plots are appealing. Maybe it’s because the nerdy bits of filmography grab your eye.

But at the hub of all of that is the characters themselves.

(Lori Allen, George Burns Jr, Peter Gordon (NBC))

You cannot have some of the best, most compelling, or most interesting series out there without characters bringing the script to life and serving as vehicles for the plot and story.

It’s starting to feel like the business of television rules all else now. Yes, I’m realistic about the expenses to bring shows I know and love to life. Nevertheless, the results still irritate me.

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Over the last few years, Chicago Fire has had a higher turnover than a fast food joint.

It seems like every season, a fan-favorite character is departing the show and being replaced faster than they can leave.

There has been a lot of spinning and positive twisting from creatives and suits associated with the show as they focus on the positive side of these departures and explain the rationale behind them.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

But we would be kidding ourselves if we said that it’s all flowers and sunshine for a firehouse that preaches family values and experiences departures every few months.

Chicago Fire is Switching Too Many Things Up

Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett will be leaving Chicago Fire in Season 14, and a recent casting announcement by Variety reveals a replacement has been lined up.

Smoke Series Premiere Review: This Summer’s Apple TV+ Mystery Thriller Is Smoldering...

We’re barely into summer, and the state of broadcast TV is already bleak.

With heavy-hitters like NCIS, Matlock, and The Rookie off the air until fall, networks are waving goodbye to millions of loyal viewers — and to sites like TV Fanatic that thrive on the lively discourse these shows spark.

The fix? It’s time for broadcast networks to bring back summer scripted programming.

(Robert Voets/CBS )

And if they want to play it smart? Procedurals are the golden ticket.

Right now, summer lineups are packed with unscripted filler and encore episodes.

(CBS/Screenshot)

But it wasn’t always this way.

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Remember Mistresses? Under the Dome? Even The O.C. got its start as a surprise summer gem.

It feels like we’re in an era of reboots, revivals, sequels, and prequels.

And sure, we can sometimes whine about them, but the truth is, there are many variations of all those above that we’ve come to enjoy.

What’s the old adage? “If you can’t beat them, join them.”

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

We’re keen on joining them.

Why? Because any diehard fans (or even casual ones) of the Dick Wolf universe know that the man is the King of turning a straightforward procedural into an entire franchise.

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Even his franchise series can sprout limbs and head in a whole new direction.

And that’s why, after...

Why did Chicago Fire repeat the Brettsey arc with Violet and Carver? And why are fans so frustrated about it?

We’ve been here before — too recently, and with too much emotional investment. Violet and Carver’s relationship seemed to be heating up, only for the show to throw cold water on it with a finale twist that felt suspiciously familiar.

So let’s break it down — because we all have questions, and they’re valid.

(NBC/Screenshot) Did Violet and Carver just go through the same storyline as Casey and Brett?

Yes. Almost beat for beat.

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It isn’t the best time to be a fan of a long-running drama on the broadcast networks.

Many beloved shows have been cut short this year, so it’s a miracle that Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. will remain intact next season on Wednesday evenings.

The best news to take from it?

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

The Chicago trifecta are consistent performers, and NBC is well aware that too many changes are not a good thing.

But it hasn’t made the last few months easy, especially with Chicago Fire introducing budget cuts in the form of a character named The Padlock.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

We’ve known for a while now that Jake Lockett and Daniel Kyri were both on the way out of the original show in the franchise.

And now, we finally have some intel on who will be back for Chicago Fire Season 14.

One...

Chicago Fire is tightening its belt ahead of Season 14, and in the process, it’s cutting loose Darren Ritter. For longtime fans, that’s not just disappointing — it feels like a gut punch.

Ritter, played by Daniel Kyri, made his first appearance back on Chicago Fire Season 7 Episode 2, and from the jump, he brought a fresh energy to Firehouse 51.

The production team’s decision to bring him in when they did was smart, especially as the show was adjusting to Gabby Dawson’s (Monica Raymund) departure to pursue community work in Puerto Rico.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

But now, after seven seasons of growth, camaraderie, and heart, Ritter’s run is ending — and fans weren’t even given the courtesy of a proper send-off.

A Cost-Cutting Casualty That Hurts the Show

Dick Wolf’s production team is making budget cuts to keep Chicago Fire running, but at what cost?

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We walked into the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale bracing for heartbreak. Rumors swirled. Departures felt imminent. And yet, Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 22 didn’t play out at all the way I expected.

Sure, we got resolution in a few places — but most of it was tangled up in contradictions, mixed signals, and emotional sleight-of-hand.

One character leaves but doesn’t feel gone. Another sticks around but barely registers. And one long-gestating storyline resolved itself with a whisper, not a bang.

(Peter Gordon/NBC) Pascal’s Quasi-Arrest

Let’s start with Dom Pascal. We last saw him being all but perp-walked on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21. So was he arrested? Not exactly.

The detective on the case treated Pascal like a guy he was just trying to appease — until, of course, he flipped into full cop mode and started fishing for a confession.

Duster Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Secrets, Suede, and...

We thought Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) was going to dominate the final stretch of Chicago Fire season 13. The character isn't coming back in season 14, so we assumed the writers would make a point of utilizing him as much as possible while he was still around. It turns out, the opposite has been true. Carver has missed several episodes in the last month of the season, leading us to question if he has already left.

Carver entered a rehab clinic earlier in the season, and returned in the episode "Post Mortem." He got even more screen time in the episode that followed, "Permanent Damage," but he's been increasingly harder to spot since. The character was completely absent from "Cut Me Open" and the penultimate episode of the season, "The Bad Guy."

Carver will appear in the season 13 finale Chicago Fire -- "Relief Cut" Episode 13012 -- Pictured: Jake Lockett as Sam Carver...

"The Bad Guy" was a busy Chicago Fire episode. It seemed like everywhere we turned, a character was making a big decision or revealing previously unknown information about themselves. Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) decided to do both, and while we were happy to see it, we were also saddened by the timing of her revelation.

Violet has been dating Flynn (Steven Strait) for months, and while things seemed to be going well on the surface, Violet was growing increasingly disenchanted with the relationship. It was obvious Violet still had feelings for her ex, Sam Carver (Jake Lockett). She never articulated these feelings, however, until her argument with Flynn in "The Bad Guy."

Violet admits she's in love with Carver Chicago Fire -- "A Beast Like This" Episode 13017 -- Pictured: Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

Flynn arranged for Violet to meet with a medical consultant,...

Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) did not end the penultimate episode of Chicago Fire season 13 on a high note. The 51 chief was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) was tasked with clearing his name. Whether or not Severide will be successful remains to be seen, but we think Pascal will be done at 51 regardless of the legal outcome.

"The Bad Guy" was an important episode in multiple regards. It laid the groundwork for the finale, and allowed Severide to wield arson investigation skills that have been tucked away for the majority of the season. The biggest takeaway of the episode, however, was Pascal's backstory. We were introduced to the character as someone with a controversial reputation in Miami, but we got through almost the entire season without an explanation as to why. "The Bad Guy" finally gave us the answer.

Pascal used to work for a man named Hendricks,...

When everyone thinks you’re honorable to a fault… but the evidence tells a different story.

Did Dom Pascal really try to kill the man responsible for his wife’s death? It’s not the type of question you ever expect to ask about a fire chief.

But in true One Chicago fashion, things escalated fast during Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21, and we’re now staring down the possibility that one of the show’s highest-ranking characters could be taken down in handcuffs — or take Severide down with him. Because, of course.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

And that wasn’t even the only emotional landmine.

Violet ended her relationship with a man who thought he was doing the right thing. Stella embraced full mama bear mode. Carver all but vanished in a puff of smoke. And Ritter’s final episodes are being filled with parking-related rejection.

Let’s break it all down.

"The Bad Guy" is a change of pace from the episode that preceded it. "Cut Me Open" may sound morbid on the surface, but the Chicago Fire story revolved around the personal lives of two of its most beloved characters: Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney).

"The Bad Guy," on the other hand, is an investigation into the complicated career of Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and the crime he may have committed using Cfd tools. Spoilers ahead!

The episode kicked off with some general 51 housekeeping. Kidd and Severide discussed how sad they were by the fact that they didn't become parents, and how they wanted to focus on work in the meantime. Then there was Herrmann (David Eigenberg), who made quite the awkward discovery as he was preparing to take his chief exam.

Apparently, Herrmann needs a recommendation from his chief before he can officially take the exam.

There was a time when Fall TV meant something: new seasons, new shows, and a reason to count down to premiere week.

In 2015, broadcast networks came in hot. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and The CW unleashed a scripted wave of dramas, comedies, genre swings, and potential watercooler hits.

You didn’t need five streaming subscriptions and an Excel sheet to keep up. You just needed your TV, a DVR (if you were fancy), and a little time to sink into the stories being told.

(Carissa’s Corner)

Fast forward to 2025, and it’s bleak. Scripted programming hasn’t just declined. It’s been gutted.

And if you’re wondering where the baton got dropped… well, the answer’s messier than you think.

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Chicago Fire likes to tell stories at a measured pace. It's been on for nearly a decade and a half, so it can afford to take its time. We've seen romances take seasons to gestate, engagements take months to result in marriages, and development ebb and flow depending on where a given character is at in their lives. The latest example of this practice was applied to Stellaride.

The beloved couple, made up of Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), were on the cusp of adopting a baby in the season 13 episode "Cut Me Open." Once the baby was born, however, the birth mother decided that she wanted to keep it. Stellaride was crushed by this decision, but the delayed gratification of seeing the couple become parents has led us to step back and ask: are they ready? Does the show think they are ready?

Stellaride...

One Chicago is experiencing growing pains. The franchise has been around since 2012, and like most shows that have crossed the decade mark, it's gone up in cost and cast salary. NBC renewed all three of the franchise's shows, but the network also laid down some ground rules regarding the amount of time actors appear in a given season. These rules were on full display Wednesday, May 7.

Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago Pd aired new episodes, and all three of them were missing crucial cast members. Med was down Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) despite the character's brief cameo on Chicago Fire. The firefighting drama had to make due without four of its central characters, including Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), Lizzie Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith).

One Chicago made a tactical decision to bench characters Chicago P.D. -- "Demons" Episode 12018 -- Pictured:...

Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) hit a personal and professional low point when his wife Monica (KaDee Strickland) was killed in Chicago Fire season 13. The character spiraled, looking for someone to blame, and acted recklessly on the job despite the consequences it had on his safety and career. We thought the worst was behind him, but the promo for "The Bad Guy" suggests otherwise.

The episode title definitely caught our eye when we first glimpsed it, but we did not expect Pascal to be the one positioned as the titular character. The promo shows that the man responsible for causing the car accident that took Monica Pascal's life gets caught up in another freak accident. Or at least, it resembles a freak accident.

Pascal is prime suspect in attempted murder

It turns out, the fuel line on the man's car had been cut, and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) discovers a...

It’s always fun to hear that your favorite show has been renewed, but for Chicago Fire fans, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, we’re getting another season.

But on the other hand, we’re losing at least two series regulars.

(NBC/Screenshot)

That’s one way to smother all the excitement and make us wonder whether the show can recalibrate.

It has survived many cast changes in the past, but audiences are becoming more fickle due to the many options available outside of broadcast TV.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

As a network, NBC needs shows to be fiscally responsible, so the cast changes aren’t too surprising.

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Chicago Fire has been on the air for 13 seasons, and its firefighters have been saving lives for even longer. Eventually, the notion of retirement is going to come up, but we did not expect it to rear its ugly head the way it did during the recent episode "Cut Me Open." Suddenly, the career of one of Fire's most liked characters is in jeopardy.

We're talking, of course, about Mouch (Christian Stolte). He was earmarked, alongside his buddy Mouch (David Eigenberg), as the firefighters most likely to be affected by the layoffs that are being put into play by the Chicago Fire Department. The performance efficiency expert who made this ruling noted that Mouch is nearing retirement age, which makes him easier to cut (in theory).

Mouch is on a shortlist of expendable 51 members Chicago Fire -- "Cut Me Open" Episode 13020 -- Pictured: Christian Stolte as Randy .Mouch. McHolland --...

Any Chicago Fire episode with a synopsis that includes “With the crew stretched thin, a performance efficiency expert evaluates Firehouse 51” doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies.

I’m sick of a crew that’s stretched thin.

But on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20, cutbacks, curveballs, and crushing disappointments reign.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

“Cut Me Open” might not pack the high-octane action we’re used to, but it still lands a punch, especially for anyone invested in Stella and Severide’s journey to parenthood.

A Skeleton Crew Under Scrutiny

With Pascal out, Violet and Novak at a convention, and Carver still part-time, completing his recovery, the dream team left behind at 51 feels more like the leftovers — at least until they’re thrown into the fire.

Herrmann, Cruz, and Mouch hold it down, but a surprise audit from a hard-nosed efficiency expert known as “The Padlock” puts them instantly on edge.

From...

Chicago Fire has not skimped out on the action in season 13. The firefighting drama has been jam packed during the second half of the season, in particular, and the episode "Cut Me Open" kept up this breakneck pace. Spoilers ahead!

The episode opened with an excited and slightly nervous Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) discussing their plans to adopt a child with 51 co-workers. Herrmann (David Eigenberg) gave them some much-needed words of encouragement, which makes sense given that he's a dad to five children, but these firefighters charted different paths shortly after.

Kidd and Severide thought they still had weeks before the woman, named Jade, who planned to give up her baby for adoption was due. Jade was under the same impression, as she'd yet to get through the entire adoption process before she suddenly went into labor. She was going to have to meet...

NBC is keeping the fire burning — literally.

All three of Dick Wolf’s One Chicago dramas have officially been renewed for the 2025–2026 TV season.

That’s the good news. The bad news?

These renewals come with strings attached — namely, budget cuts and potential cast shakeups that fans won’t be thrilled about.

(George Burns Jr/NBC) Chicago Fire Season 14: The Flame Still Burns

The doors of Firehouse 51 aren’t closing anytime soon. Chicago Fire will return this fall for Season 14, continuing to anchor NBC’s high-performing Wednesday night lineup.

Of course, the show’s not immune to change. While it remains a ratings powerhouse, the cast is already in flux.

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We thought that we had taken our losses on April 16. That was the day Deadline confirmed that Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) would not be coming back for another season of Chicago Fire. The more we have learned about the show's future, however, the more we've come to realize more characters are at risk. Especially come the season finale.

The details surrounding the final episode of season 13 have been scarce, but TV Line let the cat out of the bag when it revealed the three storylines that would drive the episode. Two of them focus on the show's power couple, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) but the third focuses on Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and his decision to take the chief exam.

A decision that could lead to another major cast exit.

The synopsis suggests a change of leadership at 51 Chicago...

It's official. One Chicago is coming back for the 2025-26 season on NBC. The procedural franchise has been an anchor for the network for over a decade, and will continue to hold down the primetime slots on Wednesday nights. That said, there will be some changes made to the way each show in the franchise is structured. Particularly with regards to cast.

Deadline noted that budget cuts were made to Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago Pd ahead of their renewal. Fans have already noticed that series regulars have been absent for 1-2 episodes over the last few seasons, but it now appears that the number will be increased in an attempt to cut costs. Now, according to Deadline, series regulars will miss 2-4 episodes in a given season.

One Chicago will be cutting down on cast appearances Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured: Hanako Greensmith as Violet...

Chicago Fire has no problem pulling the rug out from under its fans and writing characters off the show at a moment's notice. It can be disappointing when it's one of the characters we've come to know and love over an extended period of time, but sometimes external factors come into play. Lt. Wendy Seager is one such example.

Seager, played by Andy Allo, debuted in season 8 and was a semi-consistent presence through season 11. The character has not been seen since the episode "Acting Up," however, and we are confident that she will not be returning in the near future. Why? Well, because Allo continues to be cast in other television properties.

Andy Allo recently booked a new drama series Los Angeles Premiere Of Apple TV+'s "Number One On The Call Sheet" | Amy Sussman/GettyImages

TV Line confirmed the actress will be joining the cast of the upcoming series The Eagles of Newark.

Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) has become one of the most important characters on Chicago Med. She went from recurring presence to anchoring doctor, but we're not here to talk about that. Instead, we're here to discuss the unique yet profound impact that her presence has had on two episodes of Chicago Fire.

The character is set to return to the firefighting drama for the episode "Cut Me Open." She will be on hand to help a woman give birth to a child that will be adopted by Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). The woman experiences complications, leading to Asher calling for a C-section to be performed, and hand wringing on the parts of Kidd and Severide.

Asher's last Fire appearance coincided with a birth Chicago Med -- "In The Wake" Episode 1012 -- Pictured: Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC...

Chicago Fire is rounding third base on its current season, and the finale episode is in sight. It's going to be an exciting, albeit bittersweet finale, given that the show is going to part ways with two notable cast members. We can't determine how these characters will be written off, but we can determine how many episodes season 13 will release as a whole.

Chicago Fire season 13 is going to consist of 22 episodes when all is said and done. This may not seem like a big deal, but it's actually a very encouraging sign for a show that was hit hard, like so many others, by the Hollywood strikes. The show's twelfth season featured only 13 episodes, and several of the storylines that were planned were presumably cut short due to this limited screen time.

Chicago Fire has returned to a normal episode count Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured:...

Chicago Fire has decided to show Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) the door. The character has grown steadily in popularity over the last three seasons, but now, he only has three episodes left to wrap up his story. It's a tough decision, and one we feel like could have been avoided given how integral he's become to the show.

In a perfect world, we would not cut any Chicago Fire characters from the show. They all bring something unique and exciting to the table. But that is not the world we live in, and decided to put ourselves in the tough decision of making a cut. And here are two of the people who could have taken Carver's place on the chopping block. Not an endorsement, but we think we have pretty good cases.

Jack Damon had a natural end point in "Post Mortem" Chicago Fire -- "Post-Mortem" Episode 13018 --...

We collectively experienced a punch to the gut when we learned that Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett would be leaving Chicago Fire. It was not the news we wanted to hear as we waited on a season 14 renewal, and based on the statements both actors made in the aftermath of this announcement, it isn't the news they wanted to hear either.

Look, we've heard and read several exit statements over the years. We've seen dozens of One Chicago stars pack up and leave, whether it be Jesse Spencer and Kara Killmer on Chicago Fire or Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos on Chicago Pd. The thing that makes their statements a bit different from Kyri and Lockett's, however, is the acknowledgment that it was their decision.

Daniel Kyri admitted he'll "miss" playing Ritter Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured: Daniel Kyri as Darren Ritter -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon...

Chicago Fire has confirmed that Sam Carver will not be returning for season 14, and the actor who plays him, Jake Lockett, broke his silence with an emotionally charged Instagram post that made it clear he loves the character as much as we do. The part that caught us off guard, though, was when Lockett revealed that he's as unsure of his character's final story arc as we are.

The actor posted a video montage of himself alongside the rest of the Chicago Fire cast. It was all smiles and dances, but the caption made it clear the seemingly sudden exit has been bittersweet. "While I don’t exactly know what the future looks like," Lockett asserted. "I do know that it won’t be exactly what it was and I am going to miss the hell out of that. So much pride in this journey."

It's still unclear when Carver...

We may still have a month left before the 2024-25 season concludes, but the Nielsen ratings are already being tallied up. The top show titles are not expected to change that much in the last few weeks of the season, and per usual, One Chicago has delivered the goods for NBC.

The network only claimed two of the top 10 spots when it came to the most-watched broadcasts during the 2024-25 season. And impressively, both of these spots were claimed by One Chicago. Chicago Fire came it at number eight, and Chicago Med pulling off an impressive year and leaping over its Pd counterpart, brought up the rear at number ten.

Chicago Fire is NBC's number one broadcast drama Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jake Lockett as Sam Carver, Daniel Kyri as Darren Ritter -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

This is fantastic news for the franchise,...

We know who's leaving Chicago Fire in the upcoming season. Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) have been shown the door, even though there are a few episodes left in the current season. We're not here to talk about them, though. We're here to discuss the characters who are essential to the show's make up.

Ritter and Carver are going to be major losses, but the show will survive without them. The four characters we've selected below are exceptions to this rule. It would be hard to imagine Chicago Fire without them, and as such, we're confident they will stick around for season 14. At least we hope. My goodness, can you imagine?

Christopher Herrmann Chicago Fire -- "In The Rubble" Episode 13016 -- Pictured: David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) may be doing increasingly less as a firefighter, given...

We don't want to say goodbye to any Chicago Fire stars. Our attachment to each of the characters who work at Firehouse 51 is what makes the show so appealing. Unfortunately, we will be forced to part ways with both Darren Ritter, played by Daniel Kyri, and Sam Carver, played by Jake Lockett in season 13.

Kyri issued a statement to fans regarding his upcoming exit, but Lockett remained quiet. The actor did not comment on his future, or lack thereof, with Chicago Fire, until the afternoon of Monday, April 28. He posted a lengthy message on Instagram, detailing just how much the cast and crew and fans have meant to him over the last few years.

Jake Lockett released a Chicago Fire video tribute View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jake Lockett (@thejakelockett)

Chicago Fire set. These clips include Lockett laughing and messing around with co-stars like Christian Stolte and David Eigenberg.

One Chicago is no stranger parenthood. We've watched dozens of characters become parents over the course of the franchise's tenure, whether it be on Chicago Pd or Chicago Med. Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) is on the cusp of making a huge life decision on Med, and if she pursue the path that she's currently considering, it would upend a franchise trend that's lasted for years.

Asher approached her sister, Lizzie (Erin Anderson) and offered to serve as the surrogate for her child, since the latter has struggled to conceive. Lizzie was touched by the offer, but voiced concern about Asher putting her own desires to have a child on hold to help. A conclusion was not reached by the end of the episode "The Stories We Tell Ourselves," but the notion of Asher getting pregnant is quietly radical within the One Chicago framework.

One Chicago generally relies on adoption...

Look, we love crossover episodes. It's a blast to see characters we wouldn't usually see in the same building interact, and work together to solve a case. But sometimes these crossovers spell out bad news for the fates of other characters. We suspect something like this might be going on with the upcoming Chicago Fire and Chicago Med crossover.

Jocelyn Hudon, the actress who plays Lizzie Novak, confirmed that her character will be appearing in the season 10 finale of Chicago Med. She didn't explain why, or what she will be doing in the finale, but her mere involvement, as a medic, has us worried about the fate of some of her Firehouse 51 peers. We know that Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) are going to be written out of Chicago Fire before the start of next season, and we could be looking at a situation that results in one of their deaths.

We're not happy that Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) are leaving. They have become fan favorites and developed strong bonds with virtually every other member of Firehouse 51. Themselves included. And yet, they are being written out of the show before the next season.

It's never a good time to hear news that two of your favorite characters are leaving a show, but the timing of this particular announcement was rough. It coincided with the episode "Post Mortem," in which we were told that another firefighter, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) was critically injured in a building collapse and may never be able to serve 51 again.

Jack Damon has been cleared for duty Chicago Fire -- "Too Close" Episode 13015 -- Pictured: Michael Bradway As Jack Damon -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

In the span of thirty minutes, Chicago Fire presented the potential exit of three core characters.

One Chicago has always thrived on its interconnectedness. Part of the fun of watching three separate shows set in the Windy City is seeing how each of them interact, and how characters from different walks of life and professions help each other in the name of justice. We saw a prime example of this during the three part One Chicago crossover in January.

Don't worry, though, because One Chicago is not done intermingling characters. Despite there only being three more episodes of Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago Pd, the franchise has made it clear that they plan to execute at least two more crossovers. Both of which will take place between Fire and Med.

Dr. Hannah Asher will appear on Chicago Fire

The first will be obvious to anyone who watched the promo for the May 7 episode of Chicago Fire. Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney...

Chicago Fire is in the home stretch. The firefighting drama is nearing end of its current season, and as such, details about the finale episode are starting to surface. We already know that two of the show's characters, Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), will be saying goodbye at some point before the season 14 premiere.

Jocelyn Hudon, the actress who plays Lizzie Novak, let fans in on another bombshell revelation during a recent interview with Us Weekly. She confirmed that not only will be season 13 finale be filled with tension, but it will end on an unresolved cliffhanger that will have fans worried about the future of certain characters.

Jocelyn Hudon confirmed a tense final episode Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured: Jocelyn Hudon as Lizzy Novak -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

"There’s a cliffhanger," Hudon told the outlet, before doubling down and...

Jake Lockett will always hold a special place in the hearts of Chicago Fire fans. The actor came in during a transitional period in the show, and managed to liven things up as unpredictable firefighter Sam Carver. He lit up the screen for three seasons, but NBC confirmed that the actor will not return for the show's fourteenth season (which is still pending).

It's been difficult to process for fans, especially because Lockett's exit has been paired with that of another beloved Chicago Fire actor, Daniel Kyri. Both men will be gone within a few episodes, and the response from cast and crew has been interestingly muted. Lockett, for example, has not posted a thing on Instagram. He did, however, resurface on his girlfriend's Instagram account mere days after his exit was confirmed.

Lockett celebrated his girlfriend's birthday in Chicago Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured: Jake Lockett...

"Permanent Damage" was a great episode of Chicago Fire in a vacuum. Yes, it would have been nice to see Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), especially since one of the storylines directly referenced her, but everything else was wonderful, from the core conflict to the side developments between the 51 team.

Here's the thing, though: context made "Permanent Damage" tough to sit through. We know that Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) will be leaving the show before the start of season 14, and yet, the show is behaving as though they will be around for years to come. It was an odd choice, and one that led to an emotional disconnect throughout the episode.

Sparks flew when Carver and Violet reunite Chicago Fire -- "Permanent Damage" Episode 13019 -- Pictured: Jake Lockett as Sam Carver -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

Carver got to reunite with Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith...

We’ve had quite a run of excitement on the show recently, so I suppose we can give Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 19 a pass for offering a lot less.

It was well past the middle of the hour before the team even got a decent call, and even that one didn’t come with anything more than a brief medical emergency.

Overall, “Permanent Damage” was so slow that the never-ending mindless commercials made more of an impact than anything else.

(Peter Gordon/NBC)

Honestly, I wonder if there was even 35 minutes’ worth of content. Every time a story got beyond a short conversation, there was another set of commercials.

Between the endless breaks during the season and the incessant short breaks during the episodes, we can probably tear through a whole season on Peacock in record time.

Law & Order: Organized Crime’s Complicated New Case Connected Smoothly To Stabler...

Chicago Fire picked up right where it left off with "Post Mortem." The dramatic episode concluded with Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) suffering serious lung damage on the job, and being told that he may never be able to fight fires again. The episode "Permanent Damage" explores the paranoia and fear that Damon has about his condition.

Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) paid his half-brother a visit, and urged him to be optimistic when it comes to his recovery. Damon's future depends on whether he can pass certain tests, and the 51 vereran told him that he's seen several firefighters recover without any difficulty. Severide is riding solo this episode, as Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) is attending a training course in Maryland.

Kidd may be absent, but her departure proves to have ripple effects throughout the rest of the episode. Severide noticed a girl named Natalie walking around the firehouse, and recalls...

A new Chicago Fire episode features the return of Captain Tom Van Meter from the Office of Fire Investigation.

Anytime we see Van Meter from Ofi, we can assume an arson investigation for Kelly Severide (played by Taylor Kinney).

There haven’t been many arson cases this season, as many of Severide’s storylines have been about his brother, Jack Damon, or adopting a kid with his wife, Stella Kidd.

Damon was seriously injured during the last episode, one that also featured Wallace Boden returning to help Firehouse 51.

That could mean Damon is out for the April 23 episode, but it’s an important night for other primary characters.

Paramedics Lizzy Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) are also back after being out during Episode 18.

Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 19 synopsis

“Severide investigates an old house fire from 10 years back in which Kidd had responded; Carver and Violet search for...

Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) is on his way out. The character has been part of Chicago Fire since 2018, but now, it seems as though he only has a handful of episodes left. It was a shocking revelation, and the timing of this NBC announcement, just as an episode of Chicago Fire was airing, did not help to ease the loss.

It's already bad enough that the firefighting drama will be losing Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), but to lose Ritter has implications that go beyond even his own character. Ritter has built incredibly close friendships over the course of his time at Firehouse 51, and his absence will mean we may never get to see the different facets of characters that he brought out.

Ritter will be leaving best friend Violet behind Chicago Fire -- "Relief Cut" Episode 13012 -- Pictured: (l-r) Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami, Jocelyn Hudon as Lizzy Novak, Daniel...

The people who make Chicago Fire know what they're doing. There's a reason the show has been a ratings juggernaut on NBC for over a decade, and why it has spawned an entire franchise. But we are at an influx point in the show's history, and the more we learn about a potential season 14, the more we suspect that the show will look radically different moving forward.

The most obvious reason why Chicago Fire will look and feel different in season 14 (which has yet to be officially confirmed by NBC) is the departure of 51 characters Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett). They have been around for seven seasons and three seasons, respectively, and they occupied crucial roles within the firehouse.

Chicago Fire may suffer more cast exits Chicago Fire -- "Bar Time" Episode 13014 -- Pictured: Jake Lockett as Sam Carver -- (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC...