Fans of the One Chicago franchise are feeling the effects of what seems like a bleak mid-season hiatus, as all three shows—Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D.—took the night off on March 12, 2025. Instead of airing the next anticipated episodes, NBC opted to run reruns from the recent crossover event, "Into the Trenches," leaving devoted viewers anxious about when the series will be back with new content.
Throughout the night, NBC aired three rerun episodes: Chicago Fire aired from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago Med from 9:00-10:00 p.m., and Chicago P.D. from 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET. This programming change means there are no new episodes of the beloved franchise to enjoy this week, adding to the disappointment felt among fans.
So, why the break? It's simply the result of scheduling by NBC, which is common this time of year. "Given the time of year, it's not uncommon for networks to schedule breaks to make sure they have enough episodes to last until finale time in May," as noted by NBC representatives. This scheduling strategy ensures shows like One Chicago can deliver quality content throughout the spring months until the culmination of the season.
The hiatus will also allow the cast and crew enough time to film and edit new episodes, which is particularly relevant since the storytelling for all three shows has been captivating. Just recently, each series ended their last episodes on intense cliffhangers, driving anticipation among their audience. Chicago Med featured Ripley (Luke Mitchell) trapped and unconscious during the rescue, with the emotional stakes raised significantly when Hannah declared her love for him. Meanwhile, Chicago Fire delivered one of its most poignant moments ever when Dean Archer had to tell Pascal about the tragic death of his wife en route to their anniversary.
Desperate for answers, fans are left yearning for more, with precious few glimpses of what lies next for their favorite characters. "The three Chicago shows went on their midseason hiatuses on November 20, 2024, and returned to NBC just over a month later on January 8, 2025," reported Soaps.com. The franchise has traditionally aired well over 20 episodes each season, so the planned breaks are part of ensuring each series maintains its production quality and riveting storytelling.
For viewers following Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D., the good news is there are plans already laid for new episodes to resume airing on March 26, 2025. Specifically, Chicago Med is scheduled to air Season 10, Episode 16, titled “Poster Child,” at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago Fire with its Episode 16 “In the Rubble,” at 9 p.m. ET. And lastly, Chicago P.D. will round out the night at 10 p.m. ET with “Seen and Unseen.”
The upcoming episodes promise to carry forward existing story arcs and set the stage for dramatic season endings. A sneak peek shows Frost's relationship story continuing, coupled with intense medical storylines, including one featuring long-term coma patient recovery—a plot point riveting enough to keep fans glued to their screens.
Even with the current frustration over the delay, this time off provides viewers with the perfect opportunity to catch up on past episodes before the new ones air, ensuring no one misses anything significant. Every episode aired so far is available to stream on Peacock, which allows fans to revisit their favorite moments or discover episodes they may not have seen yet. While waiting for the new installments, this streaming opportunity could help maintain the intrigue and emotional investment within each character storyline.
Set to return shortly after this break, the One Chicago shows aim to build upon the captivating narratives established before the hiatus. With only six episodes remaining until the due culmination of this season, the stories will surely ramp up the stakes, leading to climactic resolutions and gripping cliffhangers to end the season with serious fanfare. Chicago is about to heat up once more.