This winter, Chicago is buzzing with activity as several projects make the city their home base. Chicago’s talented film crews, state-of-the-art studios, dynamic neighborhoods and iconic architecture continue to make it a sought-after location, ensuring the city remains a central hub for diverse storytelling in the film and television industry.
Here’s a look at what will be filming in Chicago this winter:
ONE CHICAGO
Chicago Fire Season 13, Chicago Med Season 10, and Chicago P.D. Season 12 began filming in July and will continue through the winter to complete 22 episodes. Fans of NBC’s One Chicago franchise can look forward to an upcoming crossover event featuring Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med this Wednesday January 29, marking the first three-show crossover since 2019.
Monster
This third season of Monster, titled The Original Monster, starring Charlie Hunnam who is set to portray notorious serial killer Ed Gein, began filming in October 31, 2024 in Los Angeles. Additionally, the production is scheduled to film in the Chicago area beginning February 10 for 35 days. This latest installment in the Monster anthology series continues to push the boundaries of crime storytelling, combining detailed character studies with dramatic tension.
Dark Matter
Dark Matter is gearing up to begin production on its second season in Chicago this February. Starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly, the series delves into alternate realities and has chosen Chicago’s diverse settings to bring its complex narrative to life. Season 2 Apple TV+’s sci-fi thriller is in prep with production offices at The Fields Studio. Based on the bestselling novel by Blake Crouch, who also serves as showrunner, Dark Matter is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that has captivated audiences worldwide. The complete first season is now streaming on Apple TV+.
The Bear
The Bear returns in February to complete filming of Season 4. The critically acclaimed FX series that has garnered praise for its authentic portrayal of Chicago’s culinary scene, will once again utilize various city locations to capture its unique atmosphere. The multi-award-winning series filmed a portion of Season 4 last year along with Season 3 and have now chosen the dead of winter in Chicago to complete the season. Welcome home!
In addition to the above productions, Chicago hopes to host several independent film projects. While specific details are under wraps, here’s a list of a few strong possibilities:
Neagley Spin-Off Series
One of the most anticipated projects in development is Neagley, a spin-off series from Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher universe. The series focuses on Frances Neagley, a female private investigator based in Chicago and former member of the Army’s 110th Special Investigations Unit. After learning of a close friend’s suspicious death, Neagley embarks on a perilous journey to uncover a formidable adversary, utilizing skills acquired from her military service and her association with Jack Reacher.
The series is co-created by Nick Santora, the executive producer and showrunner of Reacher, and Nicholas Wootton, known for his work on Law & Order. Both serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. Although filming for Neagley is said to take place in Toronto from February to June 2025, Chicago remains an integral part of the character’s story and may feature prominently in the series.
Maria Sten, who portrays Neagley, is also set to reprise her role in the third season of Reacher, based on Lee Child’s novel The Persuader. This continuation underscores the character’s significance within the Reacher universe.
Moses the Black
Another project that may be filming in Chicago on the horizon is Moses the Black, a film produced by Simeon Faith, a new film company founded by Yelena Popovic and Alexandros Potter. While production details are still emerging, the film was inspired by an incredible story of repentance set in modern day Chicago, based on the 4th century saint of the same name. Moses the Black was an influential historical and spiritual figure known for his transformative journey from a life of crime to sainthood. Written by Popovic, the film marks the first production by their studio following the success of their 2021 movie, Man of God, which highlighted the life of St. Nektarios of Aegina.
With these projects underway, the winter season promises to be an exhilarating time for Chicago production, and there’s more to come.
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