Taylor Kinney has never been the guy chasing cameras. In fact, the Chicago Fire star is famous for doing the opposite, quietly showing up to the set, delivering fan-favorite performances as Kelly Severide, and then disappearing just as quickly into his very private, very offline life.
Which is why his latest move is so unexpected, and honestly, kind of refreshing.
This holiday season, Kinney is resurfacing in a charming new project called The Gift Exchange, a festive promo campaign that pairs him with a fun mix of co stars, including Donna Kelce and Nikki Garcia. It is a playful parody of a holiday romance film: heads up… the film doesn’t actually exist. Google has partnered with NBC Universal to create a series of holiday-themed ads designed to look and feel like movie posters and movie trailers, but are actually advertisements promoting new Google Search features.
Kelce, who has become something of a national mom figure thanks to her warm presence during NFL broadcasts, brings her trademark friendliness to the spoof, playing beautifully as Garcia’s mom. Kinney steps into character as Aiden Winter, a name that sounds like it was crafted inside a snow globe. The whole parody embraces feel good holiday vibes, and Kinney looks more than happy to lean into the fun. Together, the three characters lean into classic holiday movie energy, making the promo feel like the real thing.
When Kinney announced the project on Instagram, he kept it simple and playful, posting: “Little holiday magic… #Google_Partner #sponsored. Things are heating up in Mistletown this year thanks to @Google. Check out the trailer soon!”
For an actor who rarely posts content, the message alone sent fans into a small frenzy. The comments filled up immediately, with followers expressing everything from excitement and surprise to jokes about wanting Mistletown to become a real holiday movie. Others simply celebrated the rare treat of a Kinney update during the break. The overall reaction was delight and a collective request for more.
Here’s the first “trailer” release:
With the One Chicago shows on holiday hiatus until Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Kinney’s surprise holiday cameo feels like a well timed stocking stuffer for fans waiting for Chicago Fire to roar back.
Warm, unexpected, and perfectly timed for the season, Taylor Kinney ’s appearance in The Gift Exchange offers something extra under the tree and reminds everyone why he remains one of the franchise’s most enduring favorites.
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