Taylor Kinney expressed that reaching the 300th episode of "Chicago Fire" was a milestone he never expected to achieve. Kinney, who has appeared in every episode of the drama since it began in 2012, stated that it seemed impossible to be starring on a show for 15 seasons. He recalled running into Mariska Hargitay at Upfronts in New York during Season 2 or 3, where she had just negotiated a deal for season 16 or 17, noting that such a long run "wasn't even in my brain."
Kinney reflected on his early career in L.A., where he did not have a vehicle and relied on public transit and thumb rides to get to auditions and castings all over the city. He remembered printing his resumes and headshots at Kinko’s and expressed gratitude for his current position.
The 300th episode, titled "Three Hundred," marks the final appearance of Joe Cruz, played by Joe Miñoso, who has also been with the show since its inception. Executive producer and Wolf Entertainment COO Peter Jankowski stated that Cruz has been an "integral part" of the show since day one and will remain part of the "Wolf family." Jankowski added that Cruz is scheduled to direct his first television episode later this year.
Kinney described his reaction to filming the final scene between Severide and Cruz as "visceral" and "raw." He noted that the actors spent 15- to 16-hour days, sometimes six days a week, during the start of the series. Kinney described Cruz as his "right-hand man" for almost a decade, stating that the relationship was intimate and based on "looking someone in the eye, telling the truth." He said the final scene was a moment where "the art imitates life and vice versa."
Regarding the longevity of the series, Jankowski stated that stories will stay fresh as long as the characters remain "real and grounded." He noted that while the way viewers experience the show has changed from exclusive NBC broadcasts to including Peacock and social media, the core remains the same.
NBC chairman Pearlena Igbokwe attributed the show's success to the community of the characters and their bond. She stated that watching the characters "put themselves on the line for others and, just as importantly, show up for one another" is what made Firehouse 51 feel like home. Igbokwe credited Dick Wolf’s vision and the commitment of the production team for making the show a "modern-day television classic."
