‘Chicago Fire’ Fans Say Kelly Severide Changed After Season 2 — And They’re Not Wrong
Over the years, Kelly Severide has become a central figure in NBC’s long-running hit drama Chicago Fire, but longtime fans are pointing to a specific shift in the character’s arc — and many believe it traces back to Season 2.
Played by Taylor Kinney since the series premiered in 2012, Severide was introduced as the charismatic, occasionally reckless lieutenant of Squad 3. From his daredevil rescues to his emotionally charged relationships, Severide quickly became a fan favorite. But viewers have increasingly noted that something about the character has felt… different — and the consensus seems to be that Season 2 was the turning point.
What Changed After Season 2?
In the early seasons, Severide was the heartthrob firefighter with a tragic past and a heroic streak that bordered on self-destructive. His chemistry with best friend Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), his fiery romance with Renée, and his grief following the death of best friend Shay created a layered, emotionally rich character.
But after Season 2 — which included Shay’s devastating death in the Season 2 finale — fans noticed a shift. Severide began to pull back emotionally, becoming more stoic, more internalized. Some saw it as a natural response to trauma. Others believed the writers began struggling to find compelling personal storylines for him beyond his love life.
“He was always brooding, sure, but in the early seasons there was a spark — a fire, no pun intended — that made him unpredictable but magnetic,” one fan shared in a Reddit thread. “Now it feels like that spark is gone.”
A Character Weighed Down by Loss
There’s no denying that Severide has been through more than his fair share of trauma. From Shay’s death to the turbulent relationship with his father Benny, to his whirlwind romance-turned-marriage with Stella Kidd, Severide has been put through the emotional wringer.
The result, some fans argue, is a version of Severide who is quieter, more closed-off — and sometimes frustratingly passive. Storylines in later seasons have leaned heavily on his expertise as an arson investigator or his role as a reliable team member, but many viewers miss the emotional intensity that once defined him.
The Stella Kidd Factor
Severide’s relationship with Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) has been one of the longest-running slow burns on the show. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their eventual marriage was a moment many fans had long hoped for. But some argue that the relationship has mellowed Severide too much.
“Severide and Kidd make a solid couple, but I miss the edge he used to have,” another fan commented. “Now he’s just the quiet husband who disappears to investigate arson cases.”
Indeed, Taylor Kinney’s absence for part of Season 11 due to a personal leave of absence didn’t help matters, forcing the writers to sideline Severide mid-storyline — and creating a narrative vacuum that only widened fan frustrations.
Is the Change Permanent — or Intentional?
It’s worth noting that Severide’s character evolution may not be accidental. After more than a decade of near-death rescues, grief, and personal setbacks, it’s realistic that he would become more introspective. Showrunner Andrea Newman has previously mentioned that the writers are exploring “what stability looks like for someone like Severide, and whether he even wants it.”
Still, some fans are hoping for a return to the more emotionally dynamic version of Severide in future episodes — especially as Chicago Fire heads toward its Season 12 finale and looks ahead to Season 13, which NBC recently confirmed is in development.
The Bottom Line
Kelly Severide may not be the same man he was in Season 2 — but after everything he’s been through, can you blame him?
Whether his current path is leading to a deeper transformation or a full-circle return to the old Severide remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: fans are still watching, still hoping, and still fiercely loyal to the man behind Squad 3’s signature smolder.
