10 Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Secrets About the Chicago Fire Cast — From Biker Gangs to Hollywood Royalty

Chicago Fire has been lighting up screens since 2012, earning a passionate fanbase and launching an entire franchise of interconnected shows. But while the cameras capture heart-pounding rescues and dramatic turns, the real stories — the ones behind the scenes — are just as wild.

Here are 10 unbelievable facts about the Chicago Fire cast that will change how you see them forever.

1. Eamonn Walker and Jesse Spencer Are Faking Their American Accents

Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) and former Captain Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) may sound like true Chicagoans on-screen, but both are hiding their native accents. Walker is British, Spencer is Australian — and both worked with the same dialect coach to perfect their American voices.

Walker has said, “From the moment they yell ‘action’ to ‘cut,’ I speak American. Then I go right back to being a Brit.”

2. Steven R. McQueen Is Hollywood Royalty

Actor Steven R. McQueen, who played Jimmy Borreli, isn’t just any rising star — he’s the grandson of legendary actor Steve McQueen, known as the “King of Cool.” With The Vampire Diaries and Chicago Fire under his belt, Steven is carrying on the family legacy with a fiery twist.

3. Taylor Kinney Was Engaged to Lady Gaga

Yes, that Lady Gaga. Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide) met the pop superstar while filming her music video for “You and I.” Sparks flew on set, and the two began a whirlwind romance that led to an engagement in 2015. Though they called it off a year later, their love story remains one of the most unexpected crossovers in pop culture.

4. The Cast Has Their Own Secret Biker Gang

Forget Hollywood clubs — these actors ride in style. Kinney, Walker, and Monica Raymund (Gabby Dawson) reportedly formed a secret biker group and would go on motorcycle rides through the city in full gear, helmets on, identities hidden.

Walker once joked, “We have our own gang, no name. Once the helmets are on, no one knows who we are.”

5. They Trained with Real Firefighters — and Still Do

To keep their performances authentic, several cast members have trained alongside actual firefighters. Taylor Kinney even attended real-life firehouse boot camps, learning everything from ladder rescues to escaping confined spaces — all before stepping onto set.

6. Monica Raymund Can Actually Perform Medical Procedures

Raymund didn’t just act like a paramedic — she studied real emergency medical techniques. She wanted every bandage, every CPR move to feel real. “I didn’t want to fake it,” she said. “If I’m saving a life on TV, I need to know what that really means.”

7. Jesse Spencer Is a Talented Violinist

Before fighting fires on TV, Spencer was playing strings. The Australian actor is a classically trained violinist and has performed in orchestras. At one point, he even considered a career in music instead of acting.

8. They Film with Real Fire — No CGI Needed

Many of the most intense fire scenes aren’t computer-generated. They’re real. With help from expert special effects teams, the actors often run into live fires, surrounded by heat, smoke, and real danger. Kinney once suffered minor burns during a shoot — and kept going.

“There’s no better way to make it real than actually being in it,” he said.

9. The On-Screen Chemistry? Totally Real

Behind the brotherhood of Firehouse 51 is genuine friendship. The core cast eats together, rides together, and hangs out even when the cameras stop rolling. That deep bond translates to their scenes, giving their on-screen relationships raw, emotional power.

10. They Rarely Use Stunt Doubles — Even in the Fire

While most actors opt for safety, the Chicago Fire team chooses authenticity. Taylor Kinney, Jesse Spencer, and others often perform their own stunts, running into flames, dodging debris, and pulling rescue moves with minimal help.

It’s dangerous. It’s exhausting. But it’s what makes Chicago Fire feel so incredibly real.