NBC is finally making some decisions about its 2025–2026 TV season. Chicago PD is one of the shows on the list renewed, but there are some interesting points about the new season.
Yes, Chicago PD season 13 is happening. The renewal came with both other One Chicago shows landing new seasons as well. Now we’re waiting for the Law & Order franchise to also get renewals, which seems likely considering where both of the shows sit in the linear ratings.
NBC has left a lot down to the wire, with some of the freshman shows the most concerning. I’m also worried about The Irrational and Found.
Chicago PD season 13 will happen on NBC but possibly slightly shorter
In some good news, Deadline shares that Chicago PD season 13 will happen, but it will come with a similar deal as the last two years. There are “minimum guarantees” for the actors on the shows, which means that actors will miss out on episodes here and there. The most episodes the majority of the cast members will miss is two to four.
This is a cost-saving measure as the cost of production continues to climb. The linear ratings aren’t as strong as they once were, but a benefit of this Dick Wolf show, along with the rest of the One Chicago franchise, is that they are Universal Studio productions. NBCUniversal is the overhead for the studio and the network, making the shows more viable than the likes of FBI: Most Wanted and The Equalizer on CBS.
The network is also looking at reducing episode counts again. This season was 22 episodes, but the seasons have been cut to 18-20 in the past to help save money, and it sounds like this is the case this time. However, there is another interesting caveat.
Chicago PD actors not living in Chicago could be in less
If a Chicago PD actor doesn’t live in Chicago, then they could end up seeing their episode count reduced more. They’re safe if they live in another part of Illinois, but not if they live in another state. So, they’ll be asked to relocate or see a reduction.
It’s not clear which cast members exactly (if any) don’t live in Illinois. The Chicago PD cast is small, and this could have connected more to the other two One Chicago shows.
Along with all this, some of the cast members have agreed to forgo their standard 5% pay raise for the new season. Again, it’s a way to keep the shows on the air, and these negotiations are why it took NBC so long to renew the show.
Chicago PD airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC. Catch up the following day on Peacock.
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