One Chicago: Exciting News as S. Epatha Merkerson, Oliver Platt, Taylor Kinney, and Miranda Rae Mayo Sign New Contracts
NBC’s Chicago Series Secure Lead Cast for Upcoming Season
NBC has confirmed that the lead actors from its three popular Chicago series will return this fall. Notable cast members include S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt from Chicago Med, along with Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo from Chicago Fire, and Jason Beghe from Chicago P.D.
Sources indicate that Merkerson, Platt, Kinney, and Mayo have recently signed new contracts to continue their roles. Negotiations for these agreements began following the early renewal of all three series for the upcoming season, which was announced in March. Kinney was reportedly the last of the group to finalize his new deal.
All four actors are original cast members, having portrayed their characters since the inception of their respective shows. Kinney is set to enter his 15th season on Chicago Fire, while Beghe will begin his 14th season on Chicago P.D. Both Merkerson and Platt will start their 12th season on Chicago Med.
Emmy Award winner Merkerson stands out with an extensive career in the Dick Wolf franchise, having appeared in 29 seasons and 610 episodes across multiple series, including her previous role on Law & Order for 17 seasons.
The One Chicago franchise continues to thrive, dominating Wednesday nights for over a decade. The series has successfully implemented a franchise universe with several popular crossover events. A recent crossover on March 4 saw a significant boost in viewership, with all three shows reaching season highs and experiencing a noted 75% increase in social video views compared to the previous crossover event in 2025.
In addition to performing well on traditional television, the One Chicago series frequently appears in Peacock’s Top 10 during their seasons, solidifying their presence in the streaming landscape.
Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. all depict the personal and professional lives of first responders in Chicago.
Chicago Med airs at 8 PM on Wednesdays, followed by Chicago Fire at 9 PM, and Chicago P.D. at 10 PM. All three series are produced by Universal Television, with executive production led by Dick Wolf alongside a talented team.
Merkerson is represented by CAA, with manager Bob McGowan and attorney Roger Haber. Platt is represented by WME, Kinney by Principal Entertainment LA, Mayo by The Rosenzweig Group and Kopeikin Law, and Beghe by Paul Hastings.
