Baylor alums now heading 2 NBC shows with ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago P.D.’

About 18 months ago, in the fall of 2012, NBC debuted a new hourlong drama created by Baylor alumni Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. In its debut season, Chicago Fire‘s ratings ranked fourth among NBC’s scripted shows, ahead of such favorites as Law & Order: SVU and 30 Rock.

In fact, the show did so well that it earned a spin-off before its first season was even complete. Last March, plans were announced for a sister show, Chicago P.D., that would take viewers inside the Chicago Police Department, much in the same way Chicago Fire shows life inside one of the city’s fire stations.

Chicago P.D., also created and executive produced by Brandt and Haas, debuted in January and attracted more than 8 million viewers. The first five episodes aired before an extended break due to NBC’s Olympic coverage; the show returns tonight (NBC, 9 p.m. CT) with a crossover episode featuring characters from SVU (both shows are produced by Dick Wolf).

The Chicago Tribune describes Chicago P.D. as “hearkening back to [cop] shows from an earlier era before forensics took over.” The San Francisco Chronicle applauds the show’s “good storytelling” and interesting characters. The New York Daily News called it “Dick Wolf’s best-focused work since the original Law & Order.”

The first five episodes of Chicago P.D. are available on Hulu and at NBC.com.

Sic ‘em, Derek and Michael!

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* Bears in Hollywood: What films and TV shows should be in a Bear’s media library? (Sept. 2013)
* ‘Chicago Fire,’ created by pair of Baylor alums, debuts tonight on NBC (Oct. 2012)