Chicago Fire season 13 returns in early 2025 after a two-month hiatus, much to the excitement of fans. However, in a

shocking twist, the midseason premiere of the show features the absence of one of its main characters, Stella Kidd,

played by Miranda Rae Mayo. Stella, who joined Firehouse 51 in season 4, has been an integral part of the team ever

since, and her absence has raised many questions.

In episode 9, “A Favor,” Stella is mysteriously nowhere to be found in Firehouse 51. The episode focuses on other characters, such as Cruz’s run-in with Junior, and Herrmann and Mouch’s passing of their CFD exams, while Novak’s scheming results in Violet and Carver easing the tension between them.

The reason behind Stella’s absence was revealed when Firehouse 51’s Chief Pascal explained that Stella is in Baltimore, Maryland, working on her Girls on Fire program. Pascal appoints Mouch as Truck 81’s temporary lieutenant, and Severide is left wondering about his wife’s whereabouts. However, it’s later revealed that Stella sent Severide pictures of the new Girls of Fire camp in Baltimore, indicating that she is likely to return soon.

But when will we see Stella Kidd back in Chicago Fire season 13? According to the latest teaser for episode 10, “Kidd helps a teacher going through a post-incident spin-out.” This suggests that Stella’s next arc starts in “Chaos Theory,” and viewers can expect to see Mayo for the remainder of the season.

So, why is Stella Kidd absent in episode 9, and why is she only returning in episode 10? The answer lies in the cast-rotating initiative implemented by the show’s producers. This initiative aims to reduce the show’s budget and has been adopted by all three One Chicago TV shows, including Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med.

Under this plan, main characters are rotated out of certain episodes to save on costs. This means that more main characters will likely be missing in specific episodes throughout the season, but it’s unclear who will be part of the rotation and when their turn will come.

While it may seem like a drastic measure, the cast-rotating initiative is a necessary one to ensure the long-term sustainability of the show. As fans, it’s up to us to adapt to this change and enjoy the new dynamic it brings to the show.

So, mark your calendars for the return of Chicago Fire season 13, and get ready to see Stella Kidd back in action in episode 10.