The long awaited event that NBC is dubbing #One Chicago kicks off Tuesday night, moving through the network’s three Chicago based series – “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago P.D.” The crossover event will feature a storyline that begins during an episode of “Fire” then moves to “Med” and finally wraps up on Wednesday night on “P.D.”
“We know that these are strong shows each in their own right. By bringing them together we’re creating an epic event, something that fans have told us they like,” NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt said at a media day attended by cast and producers recently in the Windy City.
Matt Olmstead, Executive Producer of both “Fire” and “P.D.”’ added, “We did some testing and it showed that viewers really like the big crossovers between the shows, so we decided to take that to heart and focus on doing a couple of those each season and this one is really cool because it’s the first one that we’re doing where “Med” is involved.”
The story finds members of Firehouse 51 awaiting word of the fate of fellow firefighter Christopher Herrmann, a stabbing victim, as he’s treated for his wound at the busy Chicago County Hospital. While working with other patients, the doctors at “Med” discover that a woman has been needlessly poisoned via chemo treatments, as have two other patients, all by the same dcotor. Upon uncovering this information, members of the “P.D.” team are called in to investigate.
All three shows are shot in close proximently to each other in Chicago but that doesn’t mean that orchestrating these crossovers isn’t without its challenges, says “Med’s” Executive Producers Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov. “It’s a massive undertaking and requires very intricate planning,” admitted Schneider. Frolov explained further saying, “It’s not just making sure that the stories intersect and are compelling in each of the separate environments in a believable manner, but it’s shooting all three shows using the same sets, so it’s quite tough to juggle the actors and the shooting schedule to make it all work.” Olmstead says that even through there are complexities involved, the outcome is well worth the effort, stating, “Yeah, these crossover episodes are a bit hard to keep track of, but we really want to do them for our fans. They deserve it.”
Teasing the specifics of these episodes a bit, Olmstead revealed, “On the ‘Fire’ portion, there’s a call that really rattles one of our crew members. He’s caught in a situation that isn’t just dangerous, but that’s emotional for him as well.” Schneider disclosed that, “It’s a rollercoaster in the hospital during this time, just when you think things are going one way, they go another, and…” he laughed a little as he added, “There is one, no, two rather unlikely ‘pairings’ that I don’t think fans will see coming.” Upon hearing the information that Schneider provided, Olmstead added, “And there is one couple who will take their relationship to the next level, but not in a very conventional manner.” He smiled as he said, “How they interact is very unexpected, but very sweet and absolutely true to both their characters.” Then he chuckled just a little as he said, “Is that cryptic enough for you? I just don’t want to spoil what happens because it’s really just so good.”
The three-episode arc comes on the heels of NBC giving the greenlight seasons five and four of “Fire” and “P. D.,” respectively. For this special event, “Fire” and “Med” swap their traditional timeslots with “Fire” taking the 9pm ET hour and “Med” sliding into the 10pm ET place.
During the regular schedule, “Chicago Med” airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c with “Chicago Fire” following immediately after at 10/9c and “Chicago P.D.” airs Wednesday night at 10/9c. All three series air on NBC.
