One prominentOne Chicagocast member has addressed the possibility of returning to play a dead character once more. The franchise is an interconnected universe of NBC shows following various public services in The Windy City, all of which were either created, co-created, or executive produced by Dick Wolf, who is also behind theLaw & Orderfranchise. The universe kicked off withChicago Fire, which premiered in 2012 and is now in the middle of airing season 13. Various spinoffs were later introduced as backdoor pilots in other shows within the universe.
In addition toChicago Fire, the roster ofOne Chicagoshowsnow includesChicago P.D., which launched in 2014 and is currently airing season 12. It was followed to the small screen by 2015’sChicago Med, which is currently airing season 10. The only show in the franchise that is not still on the air isChicago Justice, which premiered in 2017 and only ran for one season. So far, every show in the franchise hasfeatured multiple appearances by characters from the other shows.
Chicago Fire’s Yuri Sardarov Checks In Five Years Later
Sardarov Played Brian Zvonecek
Yuri Sardarov has now reflected on the potential to return to theChicago Firecast. He played Truck 81 firefighter Brian “Otis” Zvonecek in a recurring capacity in season 1 before being promoted to series regular in season 2. He remained part of the main cast until 2019, whenhis character died in a mattress fire during the season 8 premiere. Showrunner Derek Haas explained toTVLineat the time that the decision to kill the character was made for narrative reasons, to show that even beloved long-running characters are not safe in their line of work.
Sardarov was not the first main cast member who began in season 1 to leave the show, as his departure was preceded by the exits of Teri Reeves, Lauren German, and Charlie Barnett.
Yuri Sardarov recently sat down for an exclusive interview withScreen Rant’s Rachel Foertsch. When asked if he would return toChicago Fire, he eagerly replied “oh, yeah!” He shared that he and the rest of the cast grew close during his time on set and “that’s my family.” He reflected that the show has run for so many seasons because “people want to be there,” saying that if the opportunity arose for him to reprise his role,he “would do it in a heartbeat.“Read Sardarov’s full quote below:
Oh, yeah! Oh my God. Look, that’s my family. We got so close on that set, and I just saw a bunch of them the other week. I would do it in a heartbeat, just because I miss everybody, and I love everybody. It was just such a pleasant set to be on. Everybody that comes onto that set, every actor that comes on goes, “Well, the rumors I’ve heard are true. This is the greatest cast that I’ve ever worked with.” And they continue to do that, and that’s why the show’s so successful. That’s why it goes on for so long. People want to be there.
Our Take On Yuri Sardarov’s Comments
Brian Could Return In Some Capacity
Because theOne Chicagofranchise is based in reality, dead characters do not return. However, there has been a precedent set for actors to reprise their roles as deceased characters via flashbacks. Should the potentialChicago Fireseason 14be renewed, it isentirely possible that Brian could reappear for at least one episode. Sardarov’s interest, and the fact that he is still in Dick Wolf’s orbit after appearing in a 2023 episode of his showFBI: International, could make a return very likely should the writers find a suitable storyline that would require a flashback.
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Chicago Fire follows the lives of firefighters, rescue squad members, and paramedics of Firehouse 51 in Chicago as they face professional and personal challenges, showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and resilience.
