Hold on to your hats, fans of Chicago Fire! Taylor Kinney, the man behind the stoic and heroic Kelly Severide, has stepped away from the series for a little while. In March 2023, the show gave us a glimpse into why Kelly was leaving Firehouse 51 temporarily. Let’s dive deeper into what’s happening behind the scenes and what this means for the future of one of the show’s most iconic characters. Keep reading to find out all the juicy details about Taylor’s decision to take a break.
Why Did Kelly Severide Depart ‘Chicago Fire’?
Let’s rewind a bit. Season 11 of Chicago Fire began rolling out in September 2022, right after Jesse Spencer, who played Lieutenant Matt Casey, decided to bow out of the show to chase other creative opportunities. Jesse did make a heartfelt appearance at the end of season 10, standing by Kelly as his best man during his wedding to Stella Kidd. But since then, Matt Casey hasn’t been seen around Firehouse 51. And just when we thought the cast was settling into their new dynamic, news broke that Taylor Kinney was stepping away from the series too.
In an episode that aired on March 1, 2023, Taylor’s character, Lieutenant Kelly Severide, was given a life-changing opportunity: a spot in the most prestigious arson investigation training program in the world. This decision wasn’t made lightly—it came after Severide developed a newfound passion for analyzing fire-related crimes. Captain Tom Van Meter approached Kelly with the offer, assuring the team that this wasn’t a permanent move. Instead, it was a chance for Kelly to grow professionally and bring back valuable skills to Firehouse 51.
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“This isn’t about leaving the firehouse,” Tom reassured the team. “It’s about bringing something back that can help us all. Severide will return, and when he does, he’ll bring expertise that benefits the entire department. It’ll be tough without him, but this is an opportunity that doesn’t come around often.”
When Can We Expect Taylor Kinney Back on ‘Chicago Fire’?
Taylor’s temporary absence from Chicago Fire has left fans wondering when—and if—he’ll return. In January, Deadline reported that Taylor was taking a leave of absence to deal with personal matters. The specifics of these matters remain under wraps, and Taylor hasn’t provided much insight into his timeline for returning to the series.
As the season 11 finale approached in May, it was confirmed that Taylor wouldn’t appear in the episode. Instead, Jesse Spencer, who played Matt Casey, made a guest appearance, reminding viewers of the camaraderie and chemistry that once defined Firehouse 51.
Taylor has been a cornerstone of Chicago Fire since the very first season premiered in 2012. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Taylor has become synonymous with the role of Kelly Severide. Interestingly, he’s also taken a break from social media, with his last Instagram post dating back to December 2022. Despite the silence, Taylor has expressed his gratitude for being part of such a long-running and beloved series.
“Being part of a show with this kind of longevity is truly special,” Taylor told Us Weekly in May 2022. “It’s a testament to the incredible leadership of executive producer Dick Wolf and the talented team he’s assembled. I’m excited to see where season 11 takes us, even though I don’t always get the inside scoop on the scripts.”
