Chicago Fire Faces Heartbreak as Season 13 Returns After Hiatus

CHICAGO, Ill. — The popular NBC series “Chicago Fire” will return for Season 13 on March 26, 2025, following a brief hiatus sparked by cliffhanger episodes that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The series, which airs Wednesdays at 9/8c, is known for depicting the high-stakes lives of Chicago firefighters and paramedics as they face both personal and professional challenges.

This season has documented the emotional rollercoaster faced by Chief Dom Pascal, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney, whose wife, Monica, tragically died in a car accident during an episode aired on March 5. This heartbreaking twist has left viewers eager to witness how Firehouse 51 copes with the aftermath of this loss.

Fans of the show will have to wait a little longer to see how the characters respond, as new episodes will not air on March 12. Instead, NBC is airing reruns of significant crossover events featuring the “One Chicago” franchise.

After revealing the shocking death in the recent episode, showrunners have confirmed that the March 26 return will delve deeper into Pascal’s grief and explore new developments for Firehouse 51. It’s expected that the upcoming episode titled “In the Rubble” will begin to unpack the emotional fallout, alongside the series’ usual blend of action.

Even though the hiatus is frustrating for fans, especially given the tense cliffhangers that unfolded in recent weeks, it is a normal scheduling phenomenon for network television. Typically, shows take breaks around this time of year to ensure they can air a full season leading up to the May finale.

Joining Mulroney are co-stars KaDee Strickland, who plays Monica, as well as Randy “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) and Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri). Each episode of “Chicago Fire” provides not just action sequences but also an investigation into the personal lives of first responders, an element that resonates well with viewers.

In addition to “Chicago Fire,” the “One Chicago” lineup includes “Chicago Med,” which has also been experiencing a hiatus, and “Chicago P.D.”u2014both of which will return on the same date. This allows fans of the franchise to catch up with the characters they have grown to love over the years while waiting for new episodes.

According to creator Derek Haas, the integration of personal storylines with first-responder action is crucial to maintaining the emotional connection the audience feels towards the characters. “It’s a pretty big family. Everybody gets along. There are no squeaky wheels in the cast,” Haas said, emphasizing the show’s collaborative environment.

For fans wishing to rewatch previous episodes or catch up, all 13 seasons of “Chicago Fire” are available on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. This break provides an opportunity to delve back into earlier episodes and regain the context before new stories unfold.

As the cliffhangers from previous episodes weigh heavily on audience’s minds, the return of “Chicago Fire” promises to deliver more intense drama and heartfelt moments, paving the way for an exciting remainder of the season.