'Chicago Fire' Season 15 Shakeup: New showrunner takes over after unexpected exit and fans are divided
'Chicago Fire' is undergoing a major change at the top. Andrea Newman, who has been attached to the show since its inception, is set to leave the series before Season 15 goes into production, as per Deadline. The show's new co-executive producer, Victor Teran, will reportedly replace Newman. Teran joined the procedural drama as a writer in 2021. There appear to be no hard feelings between Newman and Wolf Entertainment, as the former is apparently leaving the show on her own accord. Newman is widely considered a pivotal part in the show's success, which launched the rating monster that is now the One Chicago franchise.
Newman, who garnered recognition for working in network dramas like '24' and 'Private Practice,' joined 'Chicago Fire' after the pilot as a co-executive producer. In Season 6, she became an executive producer. Four seasons later, she was promoted to the position of co-showrunner alongside series co-creator Derek Haas. Two years later, she became the sole showrunner. “Working at ‘Chicago Fire,’ with the absolute best cast and crew in the business, has been the highlight of my career,” Newman said. “Like so many others, I was inspired to get into TV writing because of Dick, so what a thrill it’s been to work with him and the amazing Wolf team of Peter Jankowski, Rebecca McGill, and Anastasia Puglisi. I’m so grateful to them, Derek Haas and the NBC and Universal execs who have been so supportive of the show all along the way. After 14 years, you really do become a family, and working with this group will always feel like home.”
During her tenure as showrunner, Newman oversaw the exits of several main characters, such as Battalion Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Roderique Walker) and Lieutenant Matthew 'Matt' Casey (Jesse Spencer). Her storylines ensured that, despite these exits, the show’s ratings did not fall. “We’re sad to say goodbye to Andrea [Newman]. She’s been at the center of the heart and soul of ‘Chicago Fire’ since the beginning, and the show thrived under her watch,” Peter Jankowski from Wolf Entertainment shared. “We’re grateful for her commitment to the development of the next generation and know the show will be in great hands with Victor taking the reins.”
Teran previously worked on independent films, where he went from production executive to VP of Physical Production at Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. His past credits include several indie movies, one of which, 'Filly Brown,' starring Gina Rodriguez and Edward James Olmos, was selected for the Sundance Dramatic Competition. His first TV gig as a writer was for the limited series 'LA84,' after which he joined 'Chicago Fire' as a staff writer. Teran will not only work as a showrunner for the upcoming season, but also serve as an executive producer. Season 14 of 'Chicago Fire' continues to air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. The season finale is set to arrive on May 13.
