# NBC One Chicago franchise return > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nbc-one-chicago-franchise-return > Updated: 2026-10-14T14:22:36.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 9. NBC has launched the return of its ‘One Chicago’ franchise. Chicago Med premiered its 12th season with the episode ‘Shots Fired’, which depicts a crisis at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center following gunfire at a wedding. The premiere focuses on Sharon Goodwin defending her job against termination and Hannah Asher navigating major decisions during maternity leave, while Dr. Mitch Ripley and Dr. Dean Archer manage the influx of wounded patients. The episode also featured a mass casualty event and a vehicle crashing into the emergency department. In a development for the season, actor Colin Donnell is set to return as Dr. Connor Rhodes for two episodes, beginning with the fall finale on December 9. In that episode, Dr. Rhodes will return to the hospital at Sharon Goodwin’s request to assist with a risky surgery for a young heart patient. In the Season 12 episode ‘Third Rails’, the emergency department treats subway surfers with serious injuries. The plot involves a controversy regarding the unauthorized release of a former doctor’s private medical files, which was traced back to the chief nurse, Doris, after she observed the files on Sharon’s computer. Chicago Fire premiered its 15th season with ‘New Blood’. Set three months after a chaotic warehouse fire, the episode resolves a previous cliffhanger. While major characters survived the initial incident, the character Cruz, played by Joe Miñoso, faces a career-ending injury. Following a spinal fracture, MRI results revealed limited healthy tissue, indicating that Cruz will be unable to continue his work as a firefighter and will require the use of a wheelchair. The season also introduces a new group of probationary firefighters and explores the team’s navigation of media scrutiny following the accident. Chicago P.D. returned for its 14th season, focusing on themes of reinvention and high emotional stakes. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-14: NBC Chicago franchise updates for October 14 NBC's Chicago franchise airs new episodes on October 14, featuring a major character departure in Chicago P.D. and medical drama involving privacy breaches in Chicago Med. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nbc-chicago-franchise-updates-for-october-14 ### 2026-10-10: Chicago Med and Chicago Fire premiere new seasons NBC's Chicago Med and Chicago Fire have launched new seasons, featuring mass casualty events in Med and career-altering injuries for characters in Fire. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-med-and-chicago-fire-premiere-new-seasons ### 2026-10-09: Colin Donnell to return to Chicago Med in Season 12 Colin Donnell will return to NBC’s ‘Chicago Med’ as Dr. Connor Rhodes for two episodes in Season 12, starting with the fall finale on December 9. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colin-donnell-to-return-to-chicago-med-in-season-12 ### 2026-10-07: NBC Chicago franchise returns with new seasons of Chicago Fire and Chicago PD The NBC Chicago franchise returns with new seasons of Chicago Fire and Chicago PD, featuring major character developments and cast changes. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nbc-chicago-franchise-returns-with-new-seasons-of-chicago-fire-and-chicago-pd ### 2026-10-06: Chicago Med returns for Season 12 premiere Chicago Med returns for Season 12 with the premiere ‘Shots Fired’, featuring a medical crisis following gunfire at a wedding and ongoing character developments for Sharon Goodwin and Hannah Asher. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-med-returns-for-season-12-premiere ### 2026-10-04: Chicago Fire season 15 to feature major cast departures NBC's ‘Chicago Fire’ enters season 15 with a new showrunner and major cast exits, including original star Joe Miñoso and Dermot Mulroney. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-fire-season-15-to-feature-major-cast-departures ### 2026-09-29: Chicago Fire Season 15 to premiere October 7 on NBC NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ returns October 7 for Season 15, featuring new probationary firefighters and the departures of longtime cast members Joe Miñoso and Dermot Mulroney. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-fire-season-15-to-premiere-october-7-on-nbc ### 2026-09-27: Chicago Med announces Season 12 cast and premiere date NBC’s ‘Chicago Med’ returns for Season 12 on October 7, featuring the returning core cast and new storylines involving parenthood and professional conflicts at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-med-announces-season-12-cast-and-premiere-date ### 2026-09-10: NBC One Chicago franchise returns October 7 NBC’s ‘One Chicago’ franchise returns October 7 with new seasons of Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D., amid news of cast departures including Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nbc-one-chicago-franchise-returns-october-7 --- Cite as: NBC One Chicago franchise return. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nbc-one-chicago-franchise-return