Monday November 9th was a big day in Chicago for one particular reason, well three reasons. Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med stormed into the city with a bang, dubbed #NBCChicagoDay.
Hosting press from all across the country and from many different outlets (TV, print, digital), it was announced that both Chicago Fire and Chicago PD were both were renewed for another season (season 5 and season 4 respectively) and welcomed the latest addition to the the two Chicago based dramas, Chicago Med.
The day itself was like one big family reunion for all cast members. Everyone hugging, joking, and laughing incorporated with round table talks for the stars of the shows and the executive producers to sit down and answer some questions. Producers Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead told us that there will be more crossovers in the future and there is nothing like working here in Chicago.
Following the roundtable session with the actors and producers, we all were escorted to see the sets of each show along with select cast members.
For the Chicago Fire demo we were joined by staff fire fighters and stunt directors as well as actors David Eigenberg and Eamonn Walker and watched as they set a car on fire and blow it up. Steven McQueen, who joined the cast of Chicago Fire this year, plays the new candidate, even though the candidate tends to get picked he said his transition from his previous series Vampire Diaries to this was nothing but amazing, “I left one family to find a new one, Chicago Fire has one of the hardest working cast and crew I have ever seen.”
During the Chicago PD demo LaRoyce Hawkins, Jesse Lee Soffer, and Patrick Flueger reenacted how a “take down” would happen on the show. The press all got to take part and acted as if we were at a party and the suspect was inside this party. It was a little scary how good the demo went, almost seemed real. Chicago PD technical advisor Brian Luce then went into detail about the prep and training for the entire cast and how the cast has a new insight for the job of a Chicago police officer.
“I have a big responsibility especially being from here to try and help bridge that gap between the law and the hood. It doesn’t hurt that I’m from Harvey and that I’m black and that I can actually ride that fine line of being neutral of both side. I didn’t really empathize with cops until I got on the show and now I do” said Chicago native LaRoyce Hawkins.
When heading to the Chicago Med demo we walked by the sets of the bar Molly’s and House 51 in Chicago Fire, created to look like a real Chicago firehouse and the always enjoyable Bucktown bar Lottie’s Pub.
At the Chicago Med “operating room” we got to see all that goes into the surgical room at the new show premiering on NBC next week November 17th. Dr. Andrew Dennis, the shows medical advisor, was joined by Colin Donnell and Nick Gehlfuss to demo the props, cadavers, blood, and all things used on the set of Chicago Med.
Cast members trained for the show shadowing at The John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County trauma center, with Dr. Dennis noting that some of the cast members possess some of the qualifications similar to first year residences. “I would trust either of these guys to stitch me up” he said.
It can’t be all work and no play right? After a day filled with cuffs, fires and blood, we joined the cast of the three shows including Taylor Kinney, Yaya DaCosta, Jesse Spencer,Marina Squerciati,S. Epatha Merkerson, Jon Seda, Marlyne Barrett, David Eigenberg, crew members, and Executive Producer Dick Wolf, Chairman of NBC Entertainment Bob Greenblatt, for a fabulous party that evening of food and drinks and MC Lyte Djing at STK Chicago as well as red carpet interviews and photos.
In addition to the actors, cast and crew other attendees included Chicago Blackhawk players Andrew Shaw and Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago Whitesox players, and even some members of Chicago Fire soccer team. All in all it was a fabulous #NBCChicagoday takeover in the Windy City and we can’t wait to see what’s next for Dick Wolf and the Chicago Series! Hint Hint we might see a fourth show in the future… fingers crossed! Sophia Bush who was there earlier in the day had to jet off to NYC that evening for the Glamour Women of The Year event.
images: Briana Mate; Elizabeth Morris, Elizabeth Sisson/NBC
