Chicago, Illinois – It’s no secret this NBC show is on fire.
“Chicago Fire” is one of the hottest shows on television right now. Each week on News Channel 8 millions of viewers watch the heroes of Firehouse 51 battle blazes and save lives in the Windy City. It looks authentic when you watch it, and that’s because it is.
8 On Your Side traveled to the Midwest to go behind the scenes of “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” as the shows team up with the cast from “Law and Order: SVU in an epic crossover event. The agencies work together to catch a serial killer.
When we visited “Chicago Fire,” we were up close and personal with the cast. They treated us like old friends throughout the three-day shoot.
What people may not realize is the show is shot on location in Chicago at a real fire station, and the actual fire commissioner for the city consults on the script content. In addition, a retired Battalion chief is on set during scenes as a full-time consultant. He’s even appeared on the show.
The hit drama’s Firehouse 51 is actually Firehouse 18 on Chicago’s South Side. Local firefighters are on duty 24-7. In fact, a 911 call came in during one of our interviews.
So, what really goes on behind-the-scenes? What are the secrets behind the show?
We spent time with resident heartthrob Taylor Kinney, who plays Kelly Severide on the drama. Engaged to pop star Lady Gaga, the hunky actor chuckled when he heard the word “heartthrob.” He tells us, “I’m just a guy doing a job I love.”
Kinney’s so popular that women literally line the streets near the firehouse, some of them with cameras around their necks. The ladies yell out his name and cheer for him. He smiles and waves at his fans, while getting playfully tackled by fellow cast members.
So, does he ever visit the Sunshine State?
We extended an invitation to the WFLA News Center, and he playfully accepted. “I love Florida. I’ve never been to Tampa, but I love Ft. Lauderdale. And, I especially love the Keys.”
One place you won’t find the handsome actor – hanging with Hollywood heavyweights.
He’d rather eat deep dish pizza and spend time with the real firefighters of Chicago. “We depend on them to keep the show real. They are our greatest resource,” Kinney told News Channel 8.
Another star we love is St. Petersburg native Monica Raymund.
When Raymund learned she got the coveted role of Gabby Dawson, she did a little dance, clapped her hands and smiled non-stop.
We asked her why the role is so important to her. “I kind of wanted to play a bad ass on a show and represent women in a way that I didn’t see them represented on TV,” Raymund said. She has also produced her first feature film and hopes to do more in the future, along with directing.
So, what does she think about working alongside the real heroes of the fire department? “It’s such a blessing,” Raymund shared with News Channel 8.
“Just because you don’t have certain genitalia doesn’t mean you can’t do the job a man does,” she added. “I want to show that women can do just as good a job, if not better in some cases.”
Monica loves coming home to Tampa Bay and going to her favorite spot – St. Pete Beach.
When she’s not there, you’ll find her eating at Red Mesa or enjoying her mother’s home cooking.
But, ask this petite powerhouse what cocktail she enjoys with dinner, and she’ll tell you she’s a master at making one specific concoction. Raymund even got her bartending license in Tampa, “I make the best margaritas in town. No, seriously, I have the best recipe,” she told us with a huge grin.
Things got crazy with this quirky, endearing cast. They work together, live in the same city and goof off in their spare time. “The chemistry is great here,” Kinney said. “We are so lucky.”
Copyright WFLA 2015. All rights reserved.
