The high cost of keeping a long-running drama on the air

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Behind the intense action of Chicago Fire lies a rigid financial reality. To keep the show running, production faces strict budget constraints that dictate who stays on screen and how many episodes they can film, creating a precarious balance between narrative ambition and fiscal necessity.

The thirteenth season of Chicago Fire, which premiered in September 2024, serves as a prime example of the logistical complexities involved in maintaining long-running television franchises. While executive producer Dick Wolf oversees the creative direction, the show operates under specific financial mandates. For instance, the renewal of the series was explicitly conditioned on all main cast members missing at least one episode to manage costs. The production team includes producers Derek Haas and Matt Olmstead. The season was officially ordered on March 21, 2024.

These budget constraints have direct consequences for character arcs and cast longevity. This season saw significant turnover; actors Jake Lockett and Daniel Kyri were forced to exit the series due to these same financial limitations. While Lockett’s final appearance occurred in the season finale, Kyri remained briefly into the following year to conclude his specific exit storyline. The production also had to navigate promotions, elevating recurring cast members like Lockett and Jocelyn Hudon to series regulars. New cast member Dermot Mulroney joined as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal for District 4. Other featured firefighters include Randall McHolland and Stella Kidd of Truck Company 81.

Despite these hurdles, the franchise continues to pursue large-scale collaborative projects. In early 2025, the 'One Chicago' universe aired its first full crossover since 2019. Titled 'In the Trenches,' this three-hour production involved a complex gas explosion and a trapped subway car. Such ambitious storytelling requires balancing massive logistical requirements with the ongoing reality of television economics. The crossover episodes were filmed during the final months of 2024. This production involved a government building explosion and an underground subway car situation.

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