Spoiler alert: The following article contains mild spoilers from Chicago Fire season 13, episode 8, “Quicksand.”
Even though Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide is arguably the face ofChicago Fire, he is nowhere to be seen inseason 13, episode 8, which doubles as the show’s fall finale.The NBC procedural drama TV series revolves around the firefighters and paramedics who work at Firehouse 51 in Chicago, Illinois, and Severide is one of the lieutenants. He has been in charge of Rescue Squad 3 since the beginning, making Kinney one of the longest-tenured members oftheChicago Firecast. However, the actor is mysteriously missing in the show’s last episode of 2024.
TheOne ChicagoTV shows will all return on Wednesday, August 05, 2025, withChicago Fireseason 13, episode 9 airing at 9 pm ET on NBC.
TheChicago Fireseason 13 premiere showed the fallout from the cliffhangerof Severide learning that Jack Damon is his half-brother. Severide and Damon seemed to be getting along well until Damon disobeyed Stella Kidd’s direct orders during a call and later lied about it. So, Severide’s story at the beginning of season 13 centered around having to choose between his brother and his wife. Ultimately, Severide told Stella the truth, leading to a fight between him and Damon. The two brothers resolved that problem and now,Severide’sChicago Fireseason 13 arc has (unsurprisingly) circled back to arson investigation.
Severide Is Working On An Arson Case During Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 8
Cruz & Stella Mention Severide’s Whereabouts
In one ofChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8’s early scenes,Joe Cruz briefly mentions that Severide has a “fire inspection boondoggle in Michigan.“Then, towards the end of the fall finale, Violet Mikami asks Stella how Severide is doing in Michigan, and Stella reveals that her husband is coming home earlier than expected. Still, Severide never appears in “Quicksand.” It seems as thoughtheChicago Fireseason 13 episode and Firehouse 51just miss him as he is set to return the day after the events of the fall finale.
Sam Carver’s Tragedy In Chicago Fire Season 13 Is The Best Thing To Happen To Him
Sam Carver is going through it in Chicago Fire season 13 on NBC, but his missteps are the best thing for his character in the long run.
Severide has become more invested in arson investigation casesin recent seasons. So, the reasoning behind theChicago Fireseason 13 character’sabsence in episode 8 makes sense. However, that doesn’t make Severide’s missing status in “Quicksand” less jarring. He is one of the NBC procedural drama’s main characters, after all, and it’s odd that Kinney wouldn’t appear in theChicago Fireseason 13 fall finale.
When Severide Returns In Chicago Fire Season 13
Severide Can Be Seen In The Winter Premiere’s Trailer
The good news is thatChicago Fireseason 13 is bringing back Severidewhen the series returns in 2025.Chicago Fireseason 13, episode 9’s promodoesn’t reveal too much about the upcoming hour. The trailer just shows clips of the characters in action and Chief Dom Pascal uncharacteristically complimenting Firehouse 51’s firefighters. However,the video does feature Taylor Kinney,meaning that fans won’t have to wait too long to see Severide back in action in the series.
Perhaps [Taylor] Kinney isn’t inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8 because of budget concerns and has nothing to do with the actor wanting to leave theOne Chicagoseries.
Severide’s next story will likely revolve around investigating arson cases,given the last fewChicago Fireseason 13 episodes. He teamed up with Pascal to take down a corrupt law enforcement officer in episodes 6 and 7. Then, Severide was absent during the fall finale because he was working on a Michigan arson case. Consequently, it stands to reason that Severide will continue exploring a career in fire investigationwhenChicago Fireseason 13 returns in the midseason. The possibility of starting a family with Stella was also teased in the premiere, meaning the show might circle back to that potential development in 2025.
Is Taylor Kinney Leaving Chicago Fire?
NBC Hasn’t Announced Kinney’s Exit
In the past couple of seasons, Severide has been missing from quite a few episodes, leading some tospeculate that Taylor Kinney is leavingChicago Fire. However,neither Kinney nor NBC has shared any plans for the actor to exit the series.Unless stated otherwise, Severide is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Katelynn Shennett
Kylie Estevez
Kinney’s absence in the fall finale might be for the same reason whyHerrmann was missing in a couple ofChicago Fireseason 13 episodes.Networks are trying to cut costs,and the easiest way to do that is to limit the number of episodes for cast members. Perhaps Kinney isn’t inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8 because of budget concerns and has nothing to do with the actor wanting to leave theOne Chicagoseries.
Chicago Fire
Cast
Chicago Fire follows the lives of firefighters, rescue squad members, and paramedics of Firehouse 51 in Chicago as they face professional and personal challenges, showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and resilience.
