By Ariana Brockington
After some time away from the show, “Chicago Fire” star Taylor Kinney is returning to Firehouse 51.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kinney’s fan-favorite character, Lt. Kelly Severide, will appear in Season 12 of the NBC series after his brief absence last season.

The publication reported on October 31 that scripts for the upcoming season include Severide. However, THR says it’s unknown whether Kinney will only return for a few episodes or if he will return for the entire season.

THR says production on Season 12 is delayed due to the current SAG-AFTRA strike, but “Chicago Fire” writers have begun working on new scripts in the wake of the writers’ strike. Screenwriting ended in September.

TODAY.com has reached out to NBC for comment.

Since “Chicago Fire” premiered in 2012, Kinney has been one of the main stars of the firefighter drama, so fans were surprised to learn in January that he would temporarily left the series in the middle of season 11.

At the time, Variety reported that the 42-year-old actor was taking a break from filming to deal with personal issues.

Kinney last appeared on the series in February in an episode titled “Run Like Hell.” Tom Van Meter (Tim Hopper) explains Severide’s absence from the team in the next episode, titled “Damage Control.”

Severide temporarily moved to Alabama to participate in an arson investigation training program, Van Meter said.

“Opening up at the last minute like this is a unique opportunity,” Van Meter tells Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). He then reassured Wallace – and viewers at home – that Severide wouldn’t be gone for too long.

“That doesn’t mean he is planning to move to OFI. And I know it will be a burden on this house for a while. But the expertise Severide will bring to 51 here will benefit the entire department,” Van Meter said.

When the Season 11 finale aired in May, Severide did not reunite with the Firehouse 51 team, but another beloved character did appear. Jesse Spencer, who played Matt Casey for 10 seasons before leaving the show, returned for two episodes in Season 11.

Both Kinney and Spencer have also appeared on other “Chicago” series, such as “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med.” During an appearance on TODAY in October 2022, Kinney spoke about the “Chicago” franchise and how the city has been like “home” for him over the past 10 years.

“I’ve been here for over a decade and this city has been very good to me,” he told TODAY’s Al Roker.

In June, Kinney supported his “Chicago Fire” family after co-star Treat Williams, who played his father on the show, died in a motorcycle accident.

“He played my dad in ‘Chicago Fire’ and was a father figure to everyone on set. I will always enjoy our conversations and his uncanny ability to light up a room. We all send love, he will be greatly missed,” he told People in a statement.

He also expressed his contributions to the Williams family.