Chicago Fire characters missing: Why so many MIA?

Chicago Fire characters missing, including Severide, leading to questions. Truck stolen, team works with Chicago P.D. to save him. Money-saving move.

In the latest episodes of Chicago Fire, viewers have noticed the absence of several key characters, sparking curiosity about their whereabouts. This absence was particularly evident in the recent episode "Inside Man," where Kelly Severide, portrayed by Taylor Kinney, found himself in a dangerous situation with domestic terrorists.

During this episode, Truck 81 was stolen from Firehouse 51, prompting the remaining crew members to team up with Chicago P.D. to locate and rescue Severide. With Chief Boden on leave and Severide missing, other leaders within the firehouse had to step up to lead the rescue mission.

The focus on these missing characters helped divert attention from the fact that Mouch and Sam Carver were also absent. Mouch was attending a training session, Carver was on furlough, and Boden was assisting his stepson.

The decision to have fewer stars appear in recent episodes was a cost-saving measure by the production company. Rather than reduce the actors' salaries, they opted to have them appear in fewer Season 12 episodes, ensuring the show's financial sustainability without compromising the storyline.

This strategy also explains the absence of Taylor Kinney and Tracy Spiridakos in earlier episodes. It was announced last summer that not all One Chicago stars would appear in every episode, a decision that is now being implemented on a larger scale.

Ensemble casts can be costly, but the Chicago Fire writers managed to film episodes with fewer characters seamlessly. They cleverly incorporated Boden's absence into the storyline, highlighting Severide's struggles in his absence.

As the season finale approaches, fans can expect to see the return of Mouch, Carver, and Boden. However, there is some unfortunate news regarding Chief Boden - Eamonn Walker will no longer be a series regular, appearing sporadically in future episodes.

Similarly, Tracy Spiridakos will be departing Chicago P.D., marking a significant change for the show. Fans can catch up on previous episodes of Chicago Fire, Med, and P.D. on Peacock for more excitement and drama.

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