The “Chicago” franchise is one of the most popular television universes, featuring multiple interconnected shows that explore different aspects of emergency services in the city of Chicago. Among them, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med are two standout series, each focusing on a different department.
Fans of the franchise often wonder: Which show came first? This article will explore the timeline, history, and connections between Chicago Fire and Chicago Med to provide a clear answer.
The Origins of the Chicago Franchise
The “Chicago” franchise was created by Dick Wolf, the famous television producer known for the Law & Order series. He envisioned a set of shows that would follow firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals, all working together in the same city. This idea led to multiple interconnected shows, including:
- Chicago Fire (2012)
- Chicago P.D. (2014)
- Chicago Med (2015)
- Chicago Justice (2017, canceled after one season)
These shows share characters and storylines, making them part of a larger, unified world. This means that events in one show often affect what happens in another, and characters frequently appear across different series.
Chicago Fire: The First Show in the Franchise
Chicago Fire was the first show in the “Chicago” franchise. It premiered on October 10, 2012, on NBC and introduced viewers to the lives of firefighters and paramedics working at Firehouse 51 in Chicago. The series showcases the personal and professional struggles of the first responders, who put their lives on the line to save others.
The show quickly gained a loyal audience, leading to spin-offs that expanded the world of emergency services in Chicago. It set the foundation for future series, including Chicago Med.
Key Characters in Chicago Fire:
- Lieutenant Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) – A strong leader and dedicated firefighter.
- Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) – A skilled but troubled firefighter.
- Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund) – A passionate paramedic and firefighter.
- Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) – The respected leader of Firehouse 51.
- Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) – A paramedic who joins later in the series.
Since its debut, Chicago Fire has remained one of NBC’s top-rated dramas, continuing to air new seasons and keeping audiences engaged with intense rescues and emotional storylines.
Chicago Med: The Medical Drama Spin-Off
After the success of Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., NBC introduced Chicago Med, the third series in the franchise. The show premiered on November 17, 2015, three years after Chicago Fire began.
Chicago Med focuses on the emergency department of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, showcasing the lives of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals as they deal with high-pressure situations. It provides a medical perspective within the Chicago universe, often intersecting with events from Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D..
Key Characters in Chicago Med:
- Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) – An emergency medicine doctor and the brother of Jay Halstead from Chicago P.D..
- Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto) – A skilled pediatrician.
- Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee) – A military veteran turned ER doctor.
- Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt) – The hospital’s chief psychiatrist.
- Maggie Lockwood (Marlyne Barrett) – A dedicated nurse and hospital administrator.
While Chicago Med debuted later than Chicago Fire, its characters were first introduced in crossover episodes, making their first appearances in Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. before their own show officially began.
The Timeline and Connection Between the Shows
To summarize, here is a timeline of events in the Chicago franchise:
- October 10, 2012 – Chicago Fire premieres as the first show.
- January 8, 2014 – Chicago P.D. premieres as a spin-off of Chicago Fire.
- November 17, 2015 – Chicago Med premieres after being introduced in previous crossover episodes.
Because Chicago Fire came first, it played a crucial role in developing the Chicago universe. Many Chicago Med characters first appeared in Chicago Fire, helping to establish connections between the two series.
For example, the hospital where Chicago Med takes place is often the same one where injured firefighters and police officers from Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. are treated. This crossover storytelling makes the franchise feel more realistic and immersive.
How Chicago Fire and Chicago Med Influence Each Other
The two shows frequently interact through crossover events, where characters from one series appear in another. Here are a few ways Chicago Fire and Chicago Med influence each other:
1. Shared Characters and Storylines
Many characters have strong ties between the two shows. For example:
- Dr. Will Halstead from Chicago Med is the brother of Jay Halstead from Chicago P.D..
- April Sexton, a nurse in Chicago Med, has close relationships with firefighters from Chicago Fire.
- Sylvie Brett, a paramedic from Chicago Fire, has been involved in medical emergencies requiring Chicago Med’s intervention.
2. Crossover Episodes
There have been many crossover events where characters from both shows work together on major crises. These include:
- A deadly factory fire that required firefighters and doctors to work together.
- A bacterial outbreak that spread from injured patients to hospital staff.
- A mass casualty incident where both Firehouse 51 and the Chicago Med emergency department were overwhelmed with patients.
These crossovers make the shows more exciting and keep fans engaged across multiple series.
Conclusion
The answer is clear: Chicago Fire came first, premiering in 2012, while Chicago Med followed in 2015. Chicago Fire set the stage for the franchise and introduced the shared universe that would later expand with Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med.
Both shows continue to captivate audiences with thrilling emergencies, emotional character arcs, and strong storytelling. Whether you prefer the action-packed rescues of Chicago Fire or the intense medical cases of Chicago Med, both series offer compelling stories that keep fans coming back for more.
So, if you’re new to the Chicago franchise, starting with Chicago Fire might be the best way to dive into this interconnected world. However, no matter where you begin, you’re in for an exciting ride filled with drama, heroism, and unforgettable moments.
