A New Firehouse Chapter for Stella Kidd

Chicago Fire fans are still reeling from Season 13’s emotional finale — a stunning moment that saw Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) reveal to Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) that she’s pregnant. The news brought tears, hope, and a sense of peace that Firehouse 51 rarely gets to enjoy. But, as showrunner Andrea Newman has made clear, calm never lasts long in the One Chicago universe.

As Season 14 kicks off, Stella’s pregnancy will be a central focus — not just as a joyful milestone, but as a deeply “loaded” chapter that challenges her both personally and professionally.

“It’s Very Loaded for Kidd in Particular”

Speaking to NBC’s One Chicago press team ahead of the October 1 premiere, executive producer Andrea Newman teased how complex this storyline will be for Stella.

“It’s very loaded for Kidd in particular going in,” Newman explained. “She had a lot of concerns and struggles, and what we’re really leaning into is that you have all the hesitations — especially work-related for her. Like, how will it affect her work and life? And then when it actually happens, a lot of those go right out the window, and suddenly it just becomes about family and your kids.”

For Kidd, a fiercely independent firefighter who has built her career through determination and grit, motherhood represents both a dream and a dilemma. The new season will explore her transition from doubt to devotion, as she balances leadership on Truck 81 with the responsibilities — and fears — of impending motherhood.

Stellaride’s Next Test

The “Stellaride” romance has always thrived on tension, passion, and perseverance. Now, the couple faces their biggest challenge yet: building a family in the high-stakes world of Chicago Fire.

A baby has always carried different meanings for Stella and Severide. As Newman pointed out, Stella has long been the one facing the physical and professional costs of pregnancy, while Severide’s role has been largely emotional. In Season 13, the two even discussed adoption as a way to grow their family without sidelining her firefighting career — but fate had other plans.

Now, the bun in the oven changes everything. And, true to Chicago Fire form, nothing about their journey to parenthood will come easy.

Obstacles, Wrenches, and the Realities of Parenthood

When asked just how tough things will get for Stella and Severide, Newman didn’t sugarcoat it.

“Well, life is difficult. Parenthood is tricky. It’s a struggle,” she said. “We like to throw every obstacle and wrench we can in every direction. In a good way.”

That means fans can expect emotional highs and devastating lows — the kind that Chicago Fire has mastered over its 13-season run. Parenthood has never been simple for the 51 crew: Dawson and Casey’s pregnancy ended in tragedy, while Cruz and Chloe’s adoption of Javi — followed by baby Otis — brought hope after loss. Brett’s adoption journey, too, changed her life completely.

So where does Stellaride’s story fit in? Will it echo the heartbreak of Dawson and Casey, or the joy of Cruz and Chloe? Newman isn’t saying — but promises it will be deeply human.

Firehouse 51 Welcomes a New Face

Beyond the Stellaride storyline, Season 14’s premiere — titled “Kicking Down Doors” — introduces a new firefighter at Firehouse 51. Actor Brandon Larracuente (On Call) joins the cast as Sal Vasquez, filling the void left by Sam Carver’s departure (Jake Lockett). His arrival is expected to stir things up and test existing dynamics, especially as chaos builds in the city.

A Season of Change, Love, and Legacy

With Stella and Severide preparing to become parents, Firehouse 51 entering a new era, and tensions rising across the city, Chicago Fire Season 14 is shaping up to be one of the show’s most emotional yet.

Stella Kidd has fought her way through every barrier the CFD has thrown at her. Now, her biggest challenge isn’t a burning building — it’s balancing motherhood, marriage, and duty.

And if Chicago Fire has taught us anything, it’s that family — both at home and in the firehouse — is always worth fighting for.