TV networks have been slowly unveiling their fall schedules for weeks. Here’s which Chicago-set and Chicago-filmed shows are expected to return to the small screen in the coming months.
Chicago shows that got renewed
“Chicago Fire”: The NBC firefighter series, which is set and filmed here, has been renewed for an eighth season. Taylor Kinney and Jesse Spencer have signed new deals to continue starring on the show, Deadline reports. “Chicago Fire” airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, with the Season 7 finale set for May 22.
“Chicago Med”: The NBC medical drama will be back for a fifth season, but without Colin Donnell and Norma Kuhling. Donnell, a Missouri native who has played Dr. Connor Rhodes since the first season, said “it’s been an honor to be a part of such a great trio of shows.” Kuhling has played Dr. Ava Bekker since the second season. “Chicago Med,” which is set and filmed here, airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The Season 4 finale is slated to air May 22.
“Chicago P.D.”: The NBC police drama will be back for a seventh season, but without Jon Seda, who plays Det. Antonio Dawson. Seda briefly left the series to star on “Chicago Justice,” which was canceled after one season. Seda confirmed that he won’t be back for “P.D.” Season 7, telling fans on Twitter that he’ll “always treasure the time and stories we shared.” “P.D.,” which is set and filmed here, airs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays. The Season 6 finale is scheduled for May 22.
“Shameless”: The Showtime dramedy, which is set in Chicago and partially filmed here, will be back for a 10th season that’s expected to air later this year. Emmy Rossum, who played Fiona Gallagher, won’t be back, but Cameron Monaghan (who plays her brother, Ian) will return to the series after a brief break last season. Noel Fisher — who plays Mickey Milkovich, Ian Gallagher’s love interest — will also be back.
“Windy City Rehab”: The HGTV renovation show has been renewed for a second season, despite neighbor complaints. Host Alison Victoria Gramenos has been giving viewers a social media sneak peek at what’s to come for Season 2. One of the spots Gramenos is renovating is the former Miko’s Italian Ice location on Damen Avenue in Bucktown.
“The Carbonaro Effect”: The TruTV hidden-camera show features magician Michael Carbonaro performing tricks on unsuspecting Chicagoans. Production on Season 5 is expected to begin here soon.
“Garage Squad”: Production is already underway on the sixth season of the MotorTrend car makeover series, which is filmed in the Chicago area. Cristy Lee replaces Heather Storm as co-host for Season 6, which is slated to premiere in the summer.
“The Deed: Chicago”: Season 3 of the CNBC series, which follows real estate magnate Sean Conlon as he helps struggling Chicago property developers in exchange for a piece of the property and a share of the profits, is scheduled to premiere Sept. 19.
Chicago shows that won’t return
“Easy”: The third and final season of the Netflix anthology series, which is set and filmed in Chicago, is scheduled to premiere May 10.
“Rel”: The Fox comedy inspired by the life of Chicago native Lil Rel Howery won’t be back for a second season. Howery, of “Bird Box” and “Get Out” fame, helmed the series, which was set in Chicago, but filmed in front of a Los Angeles studio audience. The series finale aired in January.
Chicago shows with uncertain futures
“Empire”: Fox hasn’t announced if there will be a Season 6 of the musical drama. “Empire” is set in New York, but filmed in Chicago. It seemed like a lock for renewal — before show star Jussie Smollett was accused of faking a hate crime against himself in Chicago in January. The charges against Smollett were dropped, but his character won’t appear on the final two episodes of Season 5, which airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
“Proven Innocent”: There’s also no word from Fox on “Proven Innocent,” the legal drama that’s set and filmed in Chicago. The show — which is helmed by Kelsey Grammer and Rachelle Lefevre — premiered in February with less-than-stellar ratings.
“The Chi”: Season 2 of the Showtime drama, which is set and filmed on the South Side, airs Sundays at 9 p.m. No announcement yet if there will be a Season 3.
“Black Ink Crew: Chicago”: The mid-Season 5 finale of “Black Ink Crew: Chicago” aired last month. The VH1 series follows Pilsen tattoo artists as they get into lots of drama. No word on a Season 6.
Chicago shows without premiere dates
“Lovecraft Country”: HBO recently announced part of its 2020 slate of shows, but “Lovecraft Country” wasn’t in the mix. The horror series, from Oscar winner Jordan Peele and “Lost” co-creator J.J. Abrams, filmed in Chicago last year.
“Mixtape”: The Netflix romantic musical drama, which stars Jenna Dewan and Madeleine Stowe, has been filming around Chicago for weeks.
“Pearson”: USA Network has teased “Pearson,” a Chicago-set political spinoff of the long-running legal drama “Suits,” but has not announced an air date for the series, which briefly filmed in Chicago last year. It’s expected to premiere this summer.
“South Side”: Comedy Central hasn’t announced a premiere date for “South Side,” an Englewood-set workplace comedy that filmed in Chicago last year.
“Utopia”: Filming of Gillian Flynn’s adaptation of the British television drama “Utopia” for Amazon is set to begin at the end of April in the Chicago area. John Cusack was recently added to the cast, which also includes “The Office” alum Rainn Wilson.
tswartz@tribpub.com
Twitter @tracyswartz
