One Chicago writers are back to work as prolific TV producer Dick Wolf restarts production on multiple beloved television series following the recent Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Wolf’s extensive portfolio spans both NBC and CBS networks, encompassing nine shows that have captured the hearts of viewers across the Chicago and the globe.
The shows include NBC’s formidable Chicago trilogy—comprising Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D.—along with the long-running Law & Order franchise and its long-running spinoff, SVU. Additionally, CBS boasts its share of Wolf’s creations, including FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, writers’ rooms are once again bustling with creative energy. This revival comes hand in hand with the appointment of new showrunners for select shows. Notably, Andrea Newman has taken the reins as showrunner for Chicago Fire Season 12, while seasoned Wolf collaborator Matt Olmstead has assumed control of FBI: International.
However, it’s worth noting that Law & Order spinoff Organized Crime continues its search for a new showrunner, and as a result, it won’t be among the first Wolf-produced shows to make a triumphant return to NBC once the SAG-AFTRA strike comes to a conclusion.
Other returning showrunners include Rick Eid for Law & Order Season 23 and David Graziano, who helms Law & Order: SVU for its remarkable 25th season. Additionally, Gwen Sigan resumes her role as showrunner for Chicago P.D. Season 11, with Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider (not the Screen Magazine editor) back at the helm for the ninth season of Chicago Med.
Over at CBS, Rick Eid makes his triumphant return to lead the flagship FBI, while David Hudgins takes charge of the spinoff FBI: Most Wanted. On the streaming side of things, Prime Video’s On Call is also back in action, with Tim Walsh as the showrunner for its eagerly awaited first season.
A notable aspect of Dick Wolf’s involvement during the WGA strike was the fact that his overall deal remained untouched, allowing him to continue his work in a producing capacity on an unscripted show.
With the WGA strike now in the rearview mirror, broadcast networks are working diligently to reopen writers’ rooms, with a common goal: completing pre-production and writing before actors return to the set.
The aim is to ensure that filming can swiftly resume, allowing high-value scripted originals to grace primetime once again and salvage the 2023-24 television season. As of now, premiere dates for these highly anticipated series have not been revealed, as they are contingent on the resolution of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
It’s worth noting that all of Dick Wolf’s shows are produced by his production company, Wolf Entertainment. He remains anchored at his longstanding home at Universal Television, which not only produces all of NBC’s shows but also co-produces the “FBI” franchise in collaboration with CBS Studios. Amazon is also a co-producer for On Call.
As the industry gears up for the triumphant return of these beloved series, fans can look forward to a lineup of gripping, suspenseful, and thought-provoking television that Dick Wolf is renowned for delivering. Stay tuned for updates on premiere dates as the entertainment world eagerly awaits the return of these iconic shows.
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