NBCFirehouse 51 is now at risk of losing their jobs, and that’s only the start of their problems. Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21 is the penultimate chance for drama, so when is the next episode?
There’s potential to be a cast exodus in future episodes of Chicago Fire. This is both thanks to an on-screen storyline and real-life NBC crackdowns, with Ritter and Carver definitely confirmed not to be returning for Season 14.
Don’t panic too much, as Season 14 is definitely going ahead. There’s still two more episodes of the binge-worthy TV show left to go, with things taking a more personal turn for Pascal.
But what lies ahead for Firehouse 51? Only Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21 can provide answers for the time being, so when is the new episode out?
When is the new episode of Chicago Fire?
Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21, titled ‘The Bad Guy,’ will air on May 14, 2025, on NBC at 9pm ET.
NBCYou can check when it drops in other time zones below:
- 8pm CT
- 10pm Brazil
- 2am UK (May 2)
- 3am CEST
- 6:30am India Standard Time
- 11pm Australia
- 12pm New Zealand
For UK viewers, episodes have usually dropped at 2am. If you want to catch Chicago Fire Season 13 at this time, you’re going to need a VPN for the job (it won’t be available to stream immediately, but more on that later).
Season 13 Episode 21 runtime
An official runtime hasn’t been revealed yet, but we can expect Season 13 Episode 21 to clock in at around 45 minutes.
NBCAll Season 13 episodes so far have been between 40-45 minutes, and there’s no reason for anything to change during the home stretch.
If any episode of Chicago Fire Season 13 is going to be significantly longer, it will be the season finale – which is Episode 22, for those not keeping up.
What will happen in Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21?
As you can see from the trailer below, the driver responsible for killing Chief Dom Pascal’s wife is pulled out of a separate fiery car wreck. When Chicago Fire equipment is found to have caused the crash, the suspect looks to be one of their own.
Elsewhere, Kidd strengthens her bond with Natalie during a road trip, and Violet receives a career opportunity after being featured in a local newspaper.
There’s also the fallout of the impending job cuts. In Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 20, efficiency expert Ambrose was brought in to confirm he will be making cuts to Firehouse 51. We’ve heard him single out Herrmann and Mouch as possible contenders for the chop, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stop there.
The team can now expect layoffs and forced retirements, with probationary and older firefighters the first to go (hence Herrmann and Mouch). Ambrose scrutinises everything the team does, including questioning plans made by Hermann. As he put it himself, “Redundancy is the thief of efficiency.”
Mouch has already hit back, though. Towards the end of the episode, he told Ambrose, “Us old timers are not going anywhere.” However, it remains to be seen whether anyone actually has a say in the proposed job cuts, meaning everyone – for now – is at risk.
Season 13 episode release schedule
NBC- Season 13 Episode 1: ‘A Monster in the Field’ – September 25, 2024
- A new chief shakes things up at Firehouse 51; Violet and Novak work to uncover the truth behind a car crash; Cruz keeps a watchful eye on Severide and Damon’s growing bond.
- Season 13 Episode 2: ‘Ride the Blade’ – October 2, 2024
- After Damon disobeys Kidd’s orders on a call, he turns to Severide to protect him; Herrmann searches for the perfect scent to spice things up with Cindy.
- Season 13 Episode 3: ‘All Kinds of Crazy’ – October 9, 2024
- Severide and Van Meter investigate a fire at a family-owned restaurant; Pascal questions Kidd’s leadership.
- Season 13 Episode 4: ‘Through the Skin’ – October 16, 2024
- Violet risks her job to deliver a baby on a tragic call; Mouch, Capp, and Tony help Cruz track down Javi’s stolen bike; Damon’s departure weighs on Severide.
- Season 13 Episode 5: ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ – October 23, 2024
- Kidd and Severide investigate a trucking company responsible for a string of accidents; Herrmann recruits Kylie to help get new radios; Firehouse 51 celebrates Violet’s birthday; Carver’s allegiances are torn.
- Season 13 Episode 6: ‘Bird of Prey’ – November 6, 2024
- Severide gets wrapped up in an Illinois State Police investigation after discovering illegal guns on a call; a bird harasses Mouch on the apparatus floor; Kidd keeps an eye on Carver as his attitude worsens.
- Season 13 Episode 7: ‘Untouchable’ – November 13, 2024
- Pascal and Severide revisit the storage facility fire in hopes of uncovering new evidence; Cruz helps Mouch take his studying to the next level; Novak prepares a proposal for Chief Robinson for a whole blood programme.
- Season 13 Episode 8: ‘Quicksand’ – November 20, 2024
- Herrmann and Mouch prepare to take their officer exams; Cruz receives a chilling omen; Carver takes care of a dog after its owner is injured on a call.
- Season 13 Episode 9: ‘A Favor’ – January 8, 2025
- Cruz’s past comes back to haunt him; Severide prepares to teach an arson class at the academy; Mouch searches for a victim’s next of kin.
- Season 13 Episode 10: ‘Chaos Theory’ – January 22, 2025
- The team responds to a crisis at a community centre; Severide is forced to investigate one of his own squad members; Kidd helps a teacher going through a post-incident spin-out.
- Season 13 Episode 11: ‘In the Trenches: Part I’ – January 29, 2025
- Chicago’s first responders unite in the wake of a catastrophic gas explosion and fire that threaten a city government building; Herrmann reluctantly shadows Pascal while Violet, Novak, and Dr. Frost take charge of triage efforts on site.
- Season 13 Episode 12: ‘Relief Cut – February 5, 2025
- Herrmann investigates the rise in missing fire hydrants and teams up with Kylie to track them down; Kidd’s cousin comes to town, revealing surprising family history; Violet and Novak treat the victim of a birthday cake smash gone awry.
- Season 13 Episode 13: ‘Born of Fire’ – February 19, 2025
- After a daring rescue at an adventure park, Kidd asks Severide to create a ropes course for Girls on Fire; Violet’s former nemesis returns, pleading for her help; Herrmann creates a signature cocktail for Molly’s.
- Season 13 Episode 14: ‘Bar Time’ – February 26, 2025
- A surprise visitor from Novak’s past joins Ambo for a late-night ride-along; Herrmann faces a mountain of Chief-level training records and incident reports; Violet catches Carver in a lie.
- Season 13 Episode 15: ‘Too Close’ – March 5, 2025
- Kidd and Severide eagerly await big news; Pascal searches for the perfect anniversary gift.
- Season 13 Episode 16: ‘In the Rubble’ – March 26, 2025
- In the face of adversity, Pascal searches for justice; Violet struggles to write a letter to Carver; Damon returns to the floater pool hoping to secure a permanent spot at 51.
- Season 13 Episode 17: ‘A Beast Like This’ – April 2, 2025
- Kidd connects with a troubled teen interested in Girls on Fire; Cruz, Capp, and Tony eagerly wait to try out Squad’s new saw; Violet and Novak are stumped by a bodybuilder who passed out at the gym.
- Season 13 Episode 18: ‘Post-Mortem’ – April 16, 2025
- Deputy Commissioner Boden returns to Firehouse 51 to investigate a disastrous firefight and the surrounding mystery that left one of their own in peril.
- Season 13 Episode 19: ‘Permanent Damage’ – April 23, 2025
- Severide investigates an old house fire from 10 years back in which Kidd had responded; Carver and Violet search for a mystery medic who abandoned a victim; Novak looks for a roommate.
- Season 13 Episode 20: ‘Cut Me Open’ – May 7, 2025
- With the crew stretched thin, a performance efficiency expert evaluates Firehouse 51; Kidd and Severide bond with the mother of the baby they hope to adopt.
- Season 13 Episode 21: ‘The Bad Guy’ – May 14, 2025
- Kidd strengthens her bond with Natalie during a road trip; Severide investigates a car fire and uncovers surprising evidence; Violet receives a career opportunity after being featured in a local newspaper.
- Season 13 Episode 22: ‘It Had to End This Way’ – May 21, 2025
- Severide puts his job on the line to help out one of their own; Kidd navigates Natalie’s complicated relationship with her sister; Herrmann prepares to take the Chief test.
How to watch
Fans have two possible ways to watch Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21: watch it live on NBC, or wait until it’s available to stream on Peacock.
NBCIf you have a traditional cable subscription to NBC, you’re all set. You also have the option to use your cable username and password to watch the episode live on NBC.com or with the NBC app.
Alternatively, the episode will be streaming on Peacock the day after. All previous seasons of the show are already on the streaming service.
Chicago Fire airs weekly on NBC. For more, check out new TV shows streaming this month, the best TV shows of the year so far, and anticipated 2025 releases you cannot miss.