Chicago Fire Showrunner Exits Unexpectedly Following Cast Changes
Chicago Fire is undergoing another transition as showrunner Andrea Newman departs after over a decade.
Newman, who has been part of the NBC series for its entire 14-season journey, is leaving her position, with co-executive producer Victor Teran stepping in as her replacement. Newman originally joined Chicago Fire post-pilot as co-executive producer, advancing to executive producer and co-showrunner before becoming the sole showrunner in 2023.
“My time at Chicago Fire, surrounded by the best cast and crew in the industry, has been the pinnacle of my career,” Newman stated. “I was driven to TV writing by the passion of Dick, and it has been a thrill to collaborate with him and the fantastic Wolf team including Peter Jankowski, Rebecca McGill, and Anastasia Puglisi. I am incredibly thankful to them, as well as to Derek Haas and the NBC and Universal executives who have supported us throughout. After 14 years, we truly become a family, and this team will always feel like home to me.”
Jankowski also shared a statement, expressing, “We’re saddened to part ways with Andrea. She has been the heartbeat and soul of Chicago Fire since its inception, and the show flourished under her leadership. We appreciate her dedication to nurturing the next generation and are confident that the show will thrive with Victor at the helm.”
Fans of One Chicago are familiar with the shifts within Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. over time. In response to concerns regarding the franchise’s frequent cast changes, NBC’s president of program planning Jeff Bader reassured viewers.
“Cast exits and entrances are part of it,” Bader told TVLine in a July 2024 interview. “Every year brings change, and each year we receive the same questions regarding the continuity within the One Chicago universe. Yet, those shows continue to thrive.”
Bader highlighted that each Chicago series has maintained its success, stating, “We’re delighted with how the Chicagos perform on Wednesdays. There are no plans to alter anything on that night.”
Meanwhile, Newman hinted at significant on-screen changes for the upcoming season.
“Next season is going to bring a lot of turnover,” Newman shared with TVLine in May 2025. “There’s going to be a lot of chaos within the CFD, with personnel changes and shifts that will rattle everyone. Expect both goodbyes and hellos—there will definitely be both.”
Newman further clarified that nothing is guaranteed amidst these changes.
“No one is safe in this upheaval,” Newman told TV Insider that same month. “The upcoming season will explore how things escalate when the mandate is issued, and how our team can maintain unity as everything around them gets turned upside down.”
