Chicago Fire is officially back in action. Production has begun on season 13 and as we all expected, the cast has started posting set photos on social media. There haven’t been any major plot reveals yet, but the little information we’ve received so far confirms what we want to see in the new season.

In particular, there are a number of characters involved. Daniel Kyri posted a photo of the two co-stars to his Instagram Story, and we’re so excited to see Jocelyn Hudon return as Lyla Novak! The actress first appeared on Chicago Fire in season 12, but there was a time when her character’s future seemed unclear.

Lyla Novak was a breath of fresh air last season, especially medically. Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) had to fight hard to find a permanent replacement for Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), as she was overwhelmed by trolls and people who were simply not a good fit.

Novak is completely different from Brett, but her aptitude in this area is undeniable, and by the end of the season, Novak and Violet have become friends. It was wonderful to see their dynamic unfold and it allowed Violet to take on a mentor role for the first time. Unsurprisingly, Hanako Greensmith is the other member of the Chicago Fire cast pictured on Kyri’s IG post.
Jocelyn Hudon was originally brought on to Chicago Fire as a recurring cast member, but Deadline reported that she will appear as a series regular in season 13. We’re excited to see Novak interact with the rest of Firehouse 51, especially with a recap of the moments she shared with her new friend, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway).

Chicago Fire likes to ship characters, or at least, plant the seeds for potential future romances. It’s too early to know if Novak and Damon have any spark between them, but we’ll definitely know when the show returns.