Kelly Severide is nowhere to be found Chicago Fire. The character left the show in a rush, and the more we learn about the exit, the more it seems as though he’s going to be gone for a long time. It was recently confirmed that he would be absent from the season 11 finale.
While the cause of Severide’s absence appears to be the schedule of actor Taylor Kinney, the lack of information about his return date has fans concerned. The more time passes, the more concern is raised about not seeing him again at all…
What does the show have in store for Severide’s absence? When will he return? Let’s discuss.
Is Severide leaving Chicago Fire in 2023?
Unfortunately, it the details surrounding Kinney’s return to the show remain as hazy as the details surrounding his departure. Fox News stated that representatives for both the show and the actor have declined to comment on what the “personal matter” in question is, which is understandable.
That said, the length of Kinney’s absence can only be measured by the severity of the personal matter. It appears as though the actor is in good spirits, as he’s made a handful of appearances on his girlfriend’s social media, but he has not made any public statements or posts regarding his decision to step away.
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The writing staff had to work quickly to write the character off, as evidenced by the fact that he didn’t even get a proper goodbye. He mentioned the possibility of leaving town for an arson investigation program, and Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) had to confirm that he was gone through dialogue in the very next episode.
If scheduling allows, we could see the producers and writers trying to orchestrate a storyline in which Severide returns for the season 12 premiere, or sends word to Kidd that he will be coming back a few episodes into the season. NBC has confirmed that they will be cutting the budget of the show in 2024, so perhaps there’s a financial reason why Severide’s return is being delayed.
That said, only time and real-life events will dictate how things play out.
For the latest Chicago Fire season 11 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.