Calling all Chicago Fire fans! The show's bosses have revealed that fan-favorite character Matt Casey, played by Jesse Spencer, will return in the upcoming 12th season, which airs on January 17 and is set to be shorter than usual due to limited production time caused by the Hollywood strikes.
Executive producer, Andrea Newman, who became the sole showrunner this season in light of previous co-showrunner Derek Haas' departure, revealed what's on the cards for Matt and his ex-girlfriend Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) following his surprise proposal at the end of season 11.
Confirming Jesse's return to the show, Andrea told Variety: "Jesse Spencer will be back — our beloved Matt Casey. We can't live without him. He's truly the best."
Jesse originally left the show after season ten but made a comeback during the final installment of the following season, which ended with Matt's proposal to his ex-girlfriend Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) during a brief trip into town.
"I got something about a year and a half ago, and I wanted to give it to you before I go back to Portland," said Matt, before getting down on one knee. "Sylvie Brett, we were meant to be. Will you make me and three kids the luckiest family in the world and marry me?"
The episode concluded with a major cliffhanger, with fans having to wait until the upcoming season to find out her answer.
On what viewers can expect from Brett and Casey in the new season, Andrea said: "We will find out pretty quickly what Brett's plans are, but her plans — made with the best of intentions — don't go as she wants them to. So we'll find out a lot quickly and then things will change; there will be a rollercoaster."
Another fan-favorite character fans will be pleased to see back on screens is Kelly Severide, who is played by Taylor Kinney.
In January last year, it was announced that Taylor would be taking a break from his role in the drama to deal with an undisclosed personal matter.
Taylor last appeared in season 11's 14th episode, 'Run Like Hell', with the following installment explaining that Severide had left the Windy City for a prestigious OFI training camp in Alabama.
In a later episode, it was revealed that the firefighter had left the camp in Alabama to investigate a major arson case but had neglected to inform his wife, Stella Kidd [Miranda Rae Mayo], nor his team at Firehouse 51. The news was uncovered by Joe Cruz, who was told by one of the academy's leaders.
So, what's in store for Severide and Kidd upon his return?
"There's a whole new dynamic between them," said Andrea. "The heat and the sexual tension are as high as ever. They can't keep their hands off each other, as usual, and yet, there's this new dynamic that is present between them, something we haven't seen before."
The showrunner went on to tease "an edge in the air between them", with the OFI case that Severide has been working on set to "bring up a lot of tension".