Why One Chicago Continues To Dominate Despite Consistent Cast Exits

Since 2012, the One Chicago franchise has maintained an impressive hold on NBC’s television line-up, and even with major character deaths and cast exits, all three series have managed to retain viewers and continue telling their stories. One Chicago is a TV franchise made up of three interconnected series: 2012’s Chicago Fire, 2014’s Chicago P.D., and 2015’s Chicago Med. All three series have their own unique casts and stories, however they all take place in Chicago, and often, their stories overlap to create one exciting universe. Fire just finished airing its 12th season, while P.D. has 11, and Med 9.

In the age of streaming, it can be difficult for network television to find a foothold among audiences. These days, series rarely exceed eight to ten episodes, and they rarely continue for more than a few seasons. However, the One Chicago franchise is an outlier in this scenario. Since the birth of streaming up until now, One Chicago has managed to not only stay on the air, but maintain a notable viewership. This is especially impressive because of how much each series has changed over the years, especially when it comes to its cast members and characters.

One Chicago Has A Balanced Ensemble With Many Likeable Characters

One Chicago has always had a strong ensemble cast

When it comes to how One Chicago has survived so many cast exits, it all surprisingly comes back to the cast itself. Since its origins, One Chicago has always prioritized a strong ensemble cast. All three shows have always had a rather large cast of characters that has typically remained the same size, or gotten bigger, over the years. Though it may seem risky to split audience’s attention over several characters, it is actually what makes One Chicago so strong.

Nowadays, One Chicago also succeeds at mixing familiar faces with new ones. As old beloved characters like Matt Casey have left, brand-new characters have taken their place. For example, Dr. Will Halstead recently exited Chicago Med, but was quickly replaced by Dr. Mitch Ripley, who has the same rugged charm and danger streak. Another great example is the string of paramedics that have appeared in Chicago Fire. After Gabby and Shay, there were Sylvie and Violet. It is also satisfying to see long-time characters earn promotions and become the leaders they once looked up to.

Finally, One Chicago has also provided amazing character diversity in their ensembles. Though almost all the characters have a sense of duty and justice as a result of their professions, each character is unique in their own ways. They each have their own storylines outside the firehouse or the police station, and their own problems that they must overcome each season. This is only helped by personal relationships and new characters coming in and out. There is always something new to enjoy, and if one storyline isn’t doing it, then another can always pick up the slack.

The Chicago Franchise Writers Mix Strong Personal Stories With Weekly Cases

The procedural formula works for One Chicago

As procedurals, the series within One Chicago typically follow a familiar formula each week. The cast of Chicago P.D. takes on yet another criminal or set of criminals. The characters in Chicago Med have new medical cases to solve. However, what makes these stories interesting, despite their repetition, is the personal stories woven throughout. One Chicago does a great job of keeping audiences entertained by having their characters grow and learn over many seasons. Although each episode delves into a new fire or a new problem, the stories that truly matter are the ones that affect the characters episode-to-episode.

Sometimes, in special cases, the personal stories mix with the weekly cases, creating a perfect balance of character and story. For example, Chicago P.D. saw a long-running story wherein Dante Torres was assigned to take out a crime boss, yet had become infatuated with the boss’ wife. With a story like this, One Chicago manages to mix the thrill of the criminal cases with the emotion of the more personal scenarios. Overall, this is a strong reason why One Chicago has been able to keep audiences interested in their stories and characters over a long period of time.

One Chicago’s Frequent Crossover Events Are Big Audience Draws

One Chicago can be both individual and group-minded

Another aspect of One Chicago that is a big plus for viewers is the crossover events. Since Chicago P.D. premiered in 2014 and Chicago Med in 2015, One Chicago has been able to create major television events wherein two or more of the series share an episode. This is exciting for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, both casts get to interact, creating new friendships or allies across the first responders. Furthermore, these casts get to be in action together.

On top of that, the One Chicago crossovers are something to look forward to. Like any television event, these crossovers build anticipation and excitement for the individual shows, and after they are over, they keep audiences excited and invested. Furthermore, the crossover events increase interest in each of the shows. If a viewer only watches Chicago Fire, but meets characters from Chicago P.D. in a crossover episode, then they may start to watch the latter as well, getting them into the One Chicago franchise as a whole.

Chicago Franchise Creator Dick Wolf Has A Proven Track Record

Dick Wolf shows are generally popular

One Chicago has one final support system keeping it afloat in a world of streaming and binge-able TV series: Dick Wolf. Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med are all produced by Dick Wolf. Long before One Chicago, Wolf was a force in network television, helming series like Law and Order and Law and Order: SVU. These shows, like One Chicago, have been on air for years, and despite following the same procedural schedule, have remained popular among viewers. In this way, it is no surprise that yet another franchise in the Dick Wolf universe has succeeded.

All in all, it is clear that One Chicago has a lot going for it. Even as beloved actors leave, all three series manage to keep audiences interested via new cast members, new storylines, and new crossovers. And with a name like Dick Wolf behind them, it makes sense that viewer would keep coming back every season. In this way, it seems likely that One Chicago will continue airing long into the future, no matter who leaves and who stays.

One Chicago

Created by

Derek Haas , Michael Brandt

First Episode Air Date

October 10, 2012

Cast

Jesse Spencer , Taylor Kinney , Monica Raymund , Jason Beghe , Jon Seda , Sophia Bush , Jesse Lee Soffer , Nick Gehlfuss , Yaya DaCosta , Torrey DeVitto , Rachel DiPillo , Philip Winchester , Joelle Carter , Monica Barbaro , Carl Weathers , Yuri Sardarov

Character(s)

Matthew Casey , Kelly Severide , Gabriela Dawson , Brian Zvonecek , Henry Voight , Antonio Dawson , Erin Lindsay , Jay Halstead , Will Halstead , April Sexton , Peter Stone , Laura Nagel , Anna Valdez , Mark Jefferies

Expand