Chicago Fire: Will Taylor Kinney return following season 12 cast cuts?

Ever since Taylor Kinney's temporary departure from Chicago Fire was announced, fans have been keen to know when the star will make his return to the show. 

It's since been reported that the One Chicago franchise is headed for changes in the upcoming seasons of its three shows, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, with budget cuts meaning that the cast will appear in fewer episodes. But what will this mean for Taylor's character, Lieutenant Kelly Severide?

© NBC

Earlier this month, Deadline reported that the franchise's producers, Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment, had reached an agreement with NBC on budgets that will keep the shows on air for another season, but will mean the main cast will appear in fewer episodes than usual. 

MORE: 5 Taylor Kinney TV shows to watch if you love the Chicago Fire star

The outlet stated that the episodic guarantees – the number of episodic fees each series regular is entitled to per season – are being renegotiated and are going down, which means that the cast are set to appear in around 18 to 20 episodes per season, rather than the standard 22. 

So, what does this mean for Taylor's character and will he return in season 12? 

© Photo: Getty Images

While the show has yet to reveal when exactly Taylor will return to the show, we can assume that if and when he does, he will appear in slightly fewer episodes, just like his fellow cast members. 

Although fans may be worried that Taylor may not return to the show, his exit storyline indicates that Severide will be back in the future. The actor's final episode saw Severide depart the Windy City for a prestigious OFI training camp in Alabama, leaving his wife Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo) behind at Firehouse 51. 

MORE: What is Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney's next project?

Taylor has been keeping a low profile on social media ever since his departure was first announced in January this year. However, The Vampire Diaries actor was pictured at the 2023 MotoGP VIP Experience & Charity Giving event in April alongside his girlfriend Ashley Cruger in his first red carpet appearance since leaving the show. 

Don't want to miss a story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter and get the heads-up on the shows and films everyone’s talking about.