Chicago Hearth formally added one other member to the Firehouse 51 household in Season 13, with Jocelyn Hudon returning as a collection common after recurring in Season 12. As one in all One Chicago’s latest stars, the When Hope Calls alum had large sneakers to fill as 51’s latest full-time paramedic after Kara Killmer’s departure as Brett, and Novak shortly proved as much as the duty as Violet’s (Hanako Greensmith) companion. NBC not too long ago re-aired one in all my favourite Season 13 episodes, and it has me extra excited than ever for what’s in retailer with Novak in Season 14.
Whereas I would have a tough time narrowing down my favourite Chicago Hearth episodes ever out of 13 seasons and counting, “Chaos Idea” – a.okay.a. Episode 10 of Season 13, airing on NBC on January 22 within the 2025 TV schedule – was a favourite from the newest season. It was not solely thrilling for the Cruz story on the time, however much more attention-grabbing when wanting. The episode touched on the stunning friendship between Novak and Violet, and paired each paramedics with characters who will not be again in Season 14.
I could not assist however take into consideration the potential that units up for each characters come fall, individually and collectively as a duo. So, whether or not you are watching summer season reruns on NBC like I’m, revisiting previous episodes streaming with a Peacock subscription, or simply following alongside right here, learn on for what Jocelyn Hudon instructed CinemaBlend about her first season as a Chicago Hearth collection common!
Novak Settling In As Violet’s Associate
Once I spoke with Jocelyn Hudon within the weeks following the three-show crossover occasion, I could not assist however drop the praise that her relationship as Novak and Hanako Greensmith’s Violet was one in all my Season 13 highlights. Fortunately – for me, anyway – there was no break of their partnership to contribute to what would make me cry within the Season 13 finale by the tip of Might. Hudon shared what it was prefer to work full-time with Greensmith after simply recurring in Season 12, saying:
It has been nice. We’re tight. Identical factor. We’re each type of humorous and goofy, and we have now time. All of our scenes are principally collectively, and I am so glad we get alongside the way in which we do. We simply click on and it is a good time.
Because the season went on, followers received to see Novak and Violet’s friendship deepen past foolish and goofy, as each characters have been there for one another when wanted exterior of Firehouse 51. Even when that was simply watching actuality TV collectively, it confirmed the pair bonding. After Novak’s unsure future when she first arrived and Violet having to maneuver on from Brett, Hearth delivered some good developments. In accordance with Hudon, Violet being true to her phrase about supporting Novak meant so much to her character. She stated:
I do not know if [Novak] has had these experiences earlier than, and I believe having the help from Violet might be what made her keep, feeling similar to she actually might depend on somebody. I believe that’s the reason she’s nonetheless there.
Contemplating Chicago Hearth has a historical past of sturdy feminine friendships going again to the earliest days of Dawson (Monica Raymund) and Shay (Lauren German), that bond between Novak and Violet might are available in handier than ever in Season 14 in mild of occasions from the tip of the thirteenth season.
Showrunner Andrea Newman previewed “large endings” for the finale’s farewell with Carver (Jake Lockett) and Ritter (Daniel Kyri) departing the present, though the episode wrapped with out organising an exit for Ritter. In mild of Carver as Violet’s long-standing will they/will not they companion and Ritter as Novak’s roommate, their looming absences ought to have an effect on the paramedics greater than any others in Firehouse 51.
Happily, Jocelyn Hudon mentioning one other present from the expansive Dick Wolf TV universe is one thing to smile about. She stated:
I watch SVU, so what it jogs my memory of is Kelli [Giddish] and Mariska [Hargitay]. I am like, I am the Kelli and Hanako is the Mariska. [laughs] However yeah, I believe the bond is that sturdy as a result of it is actual in actual life, so it isn’t placed on, and it isn’t simply the strains. It is like our friendship.
There are worse comparisons to make than Regulation & Order: SVU‘s Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish! Followers possible should not cross their fingers too laborious for an additional crossover between SVU and One Chicago to deliver Violet, Novak, Benson, and Rollins collectively, but it surely’s a enjoyable comparability.
Jocelyn Hudon Settling In As A Sequence Common
Jocelyn Hudon solely had good issues to say about being welcomed by the Chicago Hearth forged with “no divas” and “no troublesome personalities” to take care of. However was it difficult for Hudon to step into Kara Killmer’s sneakers as 51’s latest collection common in Season 13? Hudon recounted assembly the actress who’d performed Brett for thus lengthy:
I met her. I believe I might need been a couple of episodes in when she came around, and so I received to satisfy her, after which she watched one of many scenes. I believe it was like me and Hanako, we have been doing the heavy bag, and she or he watched us try this, and she or he was like, ‘Good.’ [laughs] So I received to satisfy her.
Getting the stamp of approval from Kara Killmer absolutely boded properly for Hudon as she obtained the promotion from recurring to common. Because the longest-running of the three One Chicago reveals, Hearth in fact has a passionate fanbase and a historical past of divisive discourse over relationships specifically. The actress shared her constructive experiences with the fandom:
Once I joined, I used to be wanting so much on the tweets and the feedback and the Reddit simply to verify individuals have been type of like proud of what I used to be doing. [laughs] However I discovered the fandom very supportive of me. I have never seen something unfavorable, and everybody’s been very good and welcoming. And I reply as many individuals as I can. Yeah, everybody’s been fairly good and supportive.
Whereas it took some episodes to actually get to know Novak, it was at the very least clear early on that she was going to be a a lot better companion for Violet than the very messy Emma and the unlucky Lennox! Followers have evidently responded properly to what Novak delivered to the present.
So, after Jocelyn Hudon settled into Chicago Hearth after being promoted to collection common standing, is there something she’d love to do on the present if the sky was the restrict? Earlier this yr, when there have been nonetheless episodes left in Season 13, she stated:
I wish to go right into a constructing. On this present, I’d like to be in a fireplace. They movie on the burn stage, and I’d love to do this. If one thing occurred the place the paramedics needed to go do it, I’d bounce on the likelihood of going into a fireplace.
It is definitely not unprecedented for paramedics to wind up in flames alongside the firefighters of Truck 81, Squad 3, and Engine 51, so maybe we’ll see Novak in some extra peril when Chicago Hearth returns within the fall! NBC has not but introduced a premiere date for Season 14, however the community is constant the profitable One Chicago Wednesday block of primetime. As regular, the lineup will open with Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET, proceed with Chicago Hearth at 9 p.m. ET, and wrap with Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET.
Within the meantime, you may maintain tuning in to NBC on Wednesday nights to take a look at Chicago Hearth Season 13 reruns, or take your decide up episodes with the complete collection to date streaming on Peacock now.