Taylor Kinney Joins Dick Wolf's Firefighter Drama 'Chicago Fire'

‘The Vampire Diaries’ alum has nabbed the leading role in Law & Order creator Dick Wolf’s newest NBC series!

Chicago Fire, produced by Wolf Films and Universal Television, is described as an action drama exploring the lives of the men and women of the Chicago Fire Department. Kinney will play Squad Lieutenant Kelly Severide, an “adrenaline-junkie” and the leader of an elite group of firefighters who respond to dangerous fires or rescue operations.

The 30-year old actor made his television debut in 2006, playing Bo Derek’s son on MyNetworkTV’s primetime telenovela Fashion House. He went on to star in NBC’s Trauma (2009 and recurred as werewolf Mason Lockwood on The CW’s The Vampire Diaries in 2010. The actor’s additional credits include guest starring roles on What About Brian, Bones, CSI: NY, Rizzoli and Isles, and Showtime’s Shameless. Kinney’s been the focus of media attention as of late due to his relationship with pop megastar Lady Gaga.

Derek Haas and Michael Brant (3:10 to Yuma) will serve as head writers and executive produce alongside Wolf, Danielle Gelber and Peter Jankowski. NBC has long served as an outlet for Dick Wolf’s creative projects, airing at least 12 of Wolf’s series since 1990 – the most famous of which is Law & Order and its various spinoffs.