Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman has shared how Taylor Kinney’s extended break from the show impacted a possible spin-off.

The actor stepped away from his role as Lieutenant Kelly Severide last year due to a personal matter. He returned to Firehouse 51 during the season 12 premiere earlier this week (January 17), where he helped the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI) with a case.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Newman addressed whether a fourth spin-off with the One Chicago world would see Severide take on a new role at the OFI.

“We have [considered it] but having lost Severide for a bit [in season 11], it was a reminder of what a critical part of 51 he is,” she said.

The writer went on to explain the character’s deep connection with the arson department, saying: “It’s partly because it’s in the blood, his dad was also in OFI, but partly because there’s something that just taps into something deep within him when he gets into it.

“It then becomes a danger zone for him in some ways — but he also loves it and obviously has the skills for it. So that struggle will be a big part of the first few episodes of the season.”

News of an unlikely Severide spin-off comes after Newman recently teased “tension” between the returning character and his wife Stella Kidd in the new season.

“There’s a whole new dynamic between them,” she told TVLine, explaining the impact Severide’s arson case has on his marriage.

“It’s kind of obvious within, like, one second of the show starting. They still can’t keep their hands off each other. You can tell they’re still in love, but there’s this new edge to their relationship.”

Kinney’s return to the show comes after the departures of Alberto Rosende and Kara Killmer as Blake Gallo and Sylvie Brett.

Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD returned on January 17 on NBC and Peacock in the US. The series airs on Sky Witness in the UK.