Why did Taylor Kinney briefly leave Chicago Fire? His character's arc, explored 

Taylor Kinney's unplanned absence on Chicago Fire in January 2023 was an eventful update to the plot in the series. Kinney, who played the role of Lieutenant Kelly Severide since Chicago Fire first appeared on television airwaves in 2012, went on a leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed personal matter, as reported by Deadline.

His absence led to extreme plot modification, with writers having to modify Severide's story to accommodate Kinney's temporary absence. Despite his exit being initially portrayed as temporary, the character's future remained uncertain for most of Season 11 and well into Season 12. However, Kinney made a comeback to the show in Season 13.

Kelly Severide's character development before Taylor Kinney departed from Chicago Fire

Before Taylor Kinney departed from Chicago Fire, Kelly Severide was one of the most popular and endearing characters on the show. As Squad 3 Lieutenant, Severide was recognized for his skills in investigating arson cases, his ability as a leader, and his complicated personal life.

His union with Stella Kidd was a main point of attention for recent seasons, highlighting both their romantic and professional relationship within Firehouse 51. During Chicago Fire Season 11, Severide's plot suddenly took a dramatic turn when Severide was offered the chance to train in the "world's best arson investigation training program."

Van Meter's offer was presented as a lifetime opportunity for Severide to upgrade his skills and return with expertise to Firehouse 51. But it was also a handy method of explaining away Kinney's sudden disappearance from the series.

Severide's exit was covered in Chicago Fire, Episode 15 of Season 11, which is called Damage Control. The character moved to Alabama to start his training program. This move is shown as Severide's professional milestone, but it also leads to tension between him and his wife, Stella Kidd.

As seasons went by, it emerged that Severide's training program had been concluded early, and he had gone ahead to help out in an ATF case at a place that had not been disclosed. This surprise provided layers of mystery to his absence and tensed his relationship with Stella, who was left ignorant of what he was up to.

Severide's arc after Taylor Kinney's exit from Chicago Fire

Taylor Kinney did not come back for the rest of Chicago Fire Season 11, leaving everyone speculating about Kelly Severide's status. In the season finale, Stella Kidd chooses to leave Firehouse 51 temporarily to look for her husband after getting mysterious updates on his location. This cliffhanger ending kept the audience hooked while leaving space for Kinney's possible return.

Chicago Fire Season 12 was a welcome addition for viewers when Taylor Kinney returned to the cast at the beginning of the season. Severide's return was connected with a significant case of arson that needed his skills. His return resolved some of the questions left behind by his time away but also added new issues in his relationship with Stella Kidd.

The two worked on their communication issues as they worked through the impact of Severide's absence. Budget reductions made by NBC impacted Season 12's production timeline and cut the number of episodes with major cast members, such as Kinney.

In spite of these constraints, Severide continued to be a central figure in the narrative, making contributions to critical investigations and continuing his leadership at Firehouse 51.

Trending

Fans still hold out hope that subsequent seasons will bring more stability to Taylor Kinney as he remains integral to the series's heritage.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback