With hit shows like “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago Med,” the One Chicago series has dominated television screens for years. These shows are among the most faithfully watched on NBC’s slate, and stars like Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg have worked on them since their inception. It’s a truly dedicated world of cast, crew and fans. What you might be surprised to learn, however, is that the world is even bigger than you initially realized.
For example, you might be well-versed in the franchise’s most recognizable shows. “Chicago Fire” has been on the air since 2012 and recently aired its 200th episode. “Chicago PD.” premiered in 2014 and “Chicago Med” followed a year later. All three are still dropping new seasons today. If you’re a more casual viewer, you might not know that there’s another One Chicago show that never really got the chance to perform. We’re talking about “Chicago Justice.”
As the title implies, each series focuses on a small group of Chicago professionals. This is all about the legal system. However, it only ran for one season before being cancelled. NBC president Robert Greenblatt explained the decision as a “real estate issue,” meaning they’re trying to focus on the best shows in the One Chicago world (via Deadline). That explains the brief addition to the world. Did you know that these other shows are also connected in some way, all thanks to one man?
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” takes place in the world of One Chicago
Longtime TV idol Dick Wolf is an executive producer of shows in the One Chicago universe (via IMDb). If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s worked on countless shows over the years. His resume includes series such as “Miami Vice,” “Crime & Punishment” and, most famously, “Law & Order.” The latter has a special relationship with the One Chicago franchise.
In fact, we know that the worlds are linked thanks to a series of crossovers between the two brands over the years. Most notably, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” switched several shows within the series (via TV Insider). Back in 2016, Wolf announced the impressive challenge of switching between both simultaneously. The original plans didn’t work out, however, the idea spawned the crossover event “SVU” and “Chicago P.D.” (via Distractify). More events other has taken place over the years.
They may take place in different cities (Chicago and New York City), but it’s nice to know that there’s a connection between two beloved brands.
Dick Wolf created the network crossover event by combining “Chicago P.D.” and “FBI”
One Chicago shows run on NBC, which makes it easier for them to connect. What if Dick Wolf was working with another network? Last year, we learned that the producers were able to do just that when they created a crossover with NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” and his CBS show “FBI.” Rumors began circulating about the potential overlap in 2019 and became a reality in 2020 (via TV Line ).
How did he pull it off? “Chicago PD.” sends Hailey Upton (played by Tracy Spiridakos) to New York for an assignment at the local FBI branch. Are you starting to see a connection here? Wolf said at the time (via Deadline): “Tracy’s character is a fan favorite and I couldn’t be happier to shine more light on her and gain new fans along the way.” road”.
Since they ended the crossover event, that means the “FBI” and One Chicago worlds exist in harmony. However, it seems like you shouldn’t expect much more crossover for “FBI.” It’s part of its own multi-dimensional world along with “FBI: Most Wanted” and “FBI: International”. One “International” host told TV Insider that making connections that work over longer distances “is harder than the hardest Chicago crossover we’ve done.”
They even still created a crossover in the series, which technically means the entire FBI world overlaps with One Chicago.
