How to Get Cast on Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med

One Chicago: A Decade of Drama, Action, and Opportunity

NBC’s One Chicago universe is one of the most successful franchises on television. What started with Chicago Fire in 2012 grew into a full powerhouse lineup with Chicago P.D. (2014) and Chicago Med (2015). Together, the three series have built a loyal fandom and carved out a unique space in primetime drama.

Now entering their 14th, 13th, and 11th seasons, the shows continue to thrive—and that means new opportunities for actors. Whether you dream of a recurring role or want to get your start as an extra, the One Chicago franchise offers many paths for performers.

Here’s your guide to the casting process, audition tips from past stars, and practical steps to land a role on Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., or Chicago Med.

What's Happening to One Chicago's Main Characters Ahead of the Crossover Event

What the One Chicago Shows Are About

The franchise covers every corner of first-response life in the Windy City:

Chicago Fire follows firefighters and paramedics at Firehouse 51.
Chicago P.D. explores the Intelligence Unit led by Hank Voight.
Chicago Med centers on the doctors, nurses, and staff of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.

The shows connect through overlapping characters and storylines, with Molly’s bar serving as the unofficial hub for the entire universe.

Created by Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Matt Olmstead, and Dick Wolf, the series share DNA with Wolf’s Law & Order empire while carving their own identity in action, drama, and human relationships.

Who’s in the Cast?

Over the years, the One Chicago series have featured dozens of memorable stars.

Chicago Fire

Jesse Spencer (Matthew Casey), Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide), Monica Raymund (Gabby Dawson), Lauren German (Leslie Shay), David Eigenberg (Herrmann), Eamonn Walker (Boden), Kara Killmer (Sylvie Brett), Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), Joe Minoso (Cruz), Daniel Kyri (Ritter), Hanako Greensmith (Violet), Jake Lockett (Carver), and more.

Chicago P.D.

Jason Beghe (Voight), Jesse Lee Soffer (Halstead), Tracy Spiridakos (Upton), Patrick Flueger (Ruzek), Marina Squerciati (Burgess), LaRoyce Hawkins (Atwater), Amy Morton (Platt), Benjamin Levy Aguilar (Torres), Sophia Bush (Lindsay), and others.

Chicago Med

Nick Gehlfuss (Will Halstead), Yaya DaCosta (April Sexton), Torrey DeVitto (Natalie Manning), Brian Tee (Ethan Choi), Marlyne Barrett (Maggie Lockwood), S. Epatha Merkerson (Sharon Goodwin), Oliver Platt (Daniel Charles), Dominic Rains (Crockett Marcel), Jessy Schram (Hannah Asher), and more.

Cast shakeups are constant. For 2025, Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett won’t return to Fire, Marlyne Barrett exits Med, and Arienne Mandi joins P.D. as Officer Eva Imani. Brandon Larracuente also enters Fire as firefighter Sal Vasquez.

Who Does the Casting?

Jonathan Strauss is the main casting director for all three One Chicago series. Based in New York, Strauss also worked on Law & Order: SVU and CBS’s FBI.

Philip Huffman, CD at Jonathan Strauss Casting, explained that each episode may feature 20–30 additional roles beyond the main cast. Many are one-off appearances, but some recur depending on story arcs.

For extras, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med use Joan Philo Casting, while Amy Vachon oversees background actors for Chicago P.D.

How the Casting Process Works

Landing a role in One Chicago usually follows a multi-step process:

Pre-Screening – If you’re new to Strauss’ office or auditioning for a new type of role, you’ll read with the casting team first.
Producer Session – Selected actors then read in front of producers, writers, and sometimes the director.
Offer Stage – Casting decisions move quickly. Once chosen, offers are sent out based on the production schedule.

For extras, the process is much simpler. Background calls are posted on official casting Facebook pages, with details on location, age ranges, and requirements. Being local to Chicago is key, as background work rarely covers travel.

Where to Find Auditions

Backstage and other casting platforms regularly post listings for co-star and guest roles.
Joan Philo Casting (Fire/Med) and Amy Vachon Casting (P.D.) post extras calls on Facebook.
NBC casting directories also list current opportunities.
Being in Chicago helps, since most work requires you to be a local hire.

Acting Tips From the Stars

1. Bring Your Authentic Self

Daniel Kyri (Chicago Fire’s Darren Ritter) spoke about the power of authenticity. As a queer Black man, he entered his audition determined to bring his whole self into the room.

“I remembered who the hell I am and why I do what I do,” Kyri recalled. That confidence helped him create Ritter, a fan-favorite character.

2. Embrace Hard Times

Yaya DaCosta (Chicago Med’s April Sexton) encourages actors to see struggles as opportunities.

“In times of darkness, we can forget that it’s the other side of light,” she said, describing tough periods as seasons of growth. For her, embracing challenges—and surrounding herself with supportive people—was crucial for building a lasting career.

3. Physicality and Chemistry Matter

Jonathan Strauss emphasized that One Chicago isn’t just about action. “The physicality is important, but it’s not the only thing,” he said. “These characters are defined by their feelings and unspoken emotions.”

Bootcamps and chemistry tests help ensure actors can bring both the action and the human connection.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Cast Members

Be flexible – Make even technical jargon feel natural in auditions.
Consider extra work – Many actors start as background before moving into speaking roles.
Work local – Being Chicago-based greatly improves your chances of recurring work.
Get an agent (eventually) – While some roles don’t require representation, larger speaking parts usually do.
Stay persistent – With 20–30 new roles per episode across three series, opportunities are ongoing.

The Bottom Line

The One Chicago franchise thrives because of its blend of action, emotion, and authentic ensemble chemistry. That same blend defines the casting process.

Whether you’re a new actor looking for your first credit or a seasoned performer chasing a guest-star arc, there are real opportunities to join Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., or Chicago Med.

Bring your authentic self, embrace the process, and remember—every firefighter, officer, or doctor we’ve met on screen started with a single audition. The next one could be yours.

The New Times