Chicago Fire

If you're a fan of Parenthood, Revolution, Chicago Fire, Grimm, and/or Law & Order: SVU, then today's your lucky day — NBC has just renewed all of those shows for new seasons! Returning series Grimm and SVU were pretty much a lock, but Parenthood has always been a bubble show, so I'm particularly excited to see the Braverman crew return for a fifth season. To find out the current status of all your favorite shows, check out our slideshow of this year's cancellations and renewals.

NBC's new Fall drama Chicago Fire has an ensemble cast with a few recognizable faces, like House's Jesse Spencer, Sex and the City's David Eigenberg, and The Vampire Diaries' Taylor Kinney. The series follows the employees of a Chicago-area firehouse and their dangerous occupation, and I'm telling you everything you need to know about the pilot.

• What it's about: Stress runs high in Chicago's Firehouse 51, due to the deadly job (in the pilot alone, a couple of the lead characters almost perish in a blaze). Personalities clash too, particularly between firefighters Matthew (Spencer) and Kelly (Kinney), who are both reeling from the recent death of their colleague in a fire.
• Where it works: We've seen many dramas that take place in tense workplaces, but the firehouse setting is a fresh twist. Plus, the two male leads (Spencer and Kinney) butt heads but are sympathetic enough that you root for them both.
• Where it doesn't: The setting is pretty much the only twist in this drama; the characters' individual issues, like marital problems and financial straits, aren't compelling enough for you to want to see more of them.
• When it's on: Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC
• You might like this show if: Backdraft is one of your all-time favorite movies.

To see a preview and some pictures from Chicago Fire, just read more.

In a market that's saturated with dramas about cops, lawyers, and doctors, NBC is going inside a less-explored profession with Chicago Fire. The cast — which includes Eamonn Walker (Oz), Taylor Kinney (The Vampire Diaries), and Jesse Spencer (House) — spoke about their show at the TCA this week, discussing how they prepared to play firefighters and paramedics and why the writing is the glue that's holding the series together. Here are highlights:

• The show is based on an actual firehouse in Chicago, and the cast went through training alongside real-life firefighters, which included going out on trips and spending time in simulation. Kinney talked about the insight he gained from seeing it all firsthand, saying that it's a "brotherhood" that exists between the colleagues and that there was a "jovial" feeling in the firehouse when everyone was just hanging out.
• One of the most important aspects of playing a firefighter is approaching it from the inside out. Though society often looks at them as heroes, Spencer noted that it's just a job to the men and women who are actually saving lives. He said, "We call them heroes, but I think that's a very outsider perspective. They don't see themselves as heroes, they're guys, they're gals."
• Executive producer Dick Wolf gushed about the show's writing and has a very optimistic outlook on how audiences will respond to the series, comparing it to the likes of Hill Street Blues, ER, and Law & Order. He said, "These shows are never written down to the audience. It all goes back to the writing. There's never been a good show with bad writing."
• Wolf also noted that the pilot was screened for firefighters who gave it their stamp of approval, saying they were "kind of blown away."
• Walker plays Walter Boden, the chief of the firehouse, and his feeling of being a patriarch extends beyond what's on the screen. He says, "What I really want to say is that I found a family. This my new family. I know they've got my back. That's who Walter Boden is, he's taking care of his family."

To see more pictures from the panel, just read more.

The networks will trot out their brand-new TV shows at next week's upfronts, but before we get a look at previews and find out the schedules, we're going to acquaint you with the upcoming series. First up are the shows coming to NBC, so check out the comedies and dramas that the network has picked up for the Fall 2012 season.

COMEDIES

• Go On: Matthew Perry stars as a sportscaster who starts attending group therapy sessions after he suffers from a loss and bonds with the members of his group.
• Animal Practice: Weeds star Justin Kirk plays a veterinarian who loves his furry subjects but doesn't like their human owners.
• The New Normal: A gay couple played by Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells use a surrogate to start their family in this comedy from Glee creator Ryan Murphy.
• Guys With Kids: Three dudes (Jesse Bradford, Nick Cregger, and Anthony Anderson) experience the joys of being dads together.
• Save Me: Anne Heche plays a woman who thinks she can channel God after she has an accident.
• 1600 Penn: This White House-set comedy follows a fictional president played by Bill Pullman, his first lady (Jenna Elfman), and his goofy son (Josh Gad).
• Next Caller: This workplace comedy takes place in a radio station and stars Dane Cook as a chauvinistic DJ who butts heads with his female colleague.

DRAMAS:

• Revolution: This drama, produced by J.J. Abrams and written by Supernatural's creator, depicts a world where all technology has suddenly stopped working and its characters (played by Giancarlo Esposito and Billy Burke) struggle to connect with their loved ones.
• Hannibal: This drama explores the relationship of notorious character Dr. Hannibal Lecter as he mentors detective Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy.
• Chicago Fire: The staff of a Chicago firehouse is the focus of this action-packed drama, which stars Taylor Kinney of The Vampire Diaries and House's Jesse Spencer.
• Do No Harm: A neurosurgeon struggles with his job and personal life because he also has a Jekyll & Hyde-like alter ego.
• Infamous: A female detective (Meagan Good) goes undercover to return to the home of the wealthy family her mother was a maid in and solve a murder.

Photos courtesy of NBC